Really high Nitrates

[tsc]

I had my tank for about a year and I'm still having problems with my nitrates.  All of my other readings are great.

Ammonia: 0ppm
pH: about 7.4
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: above 160ppm

I have a 55gal community tank, with the following 1 Fluval 304, 1 Eheim professionel 2226 (highly recommend it), and I'm a little over stocked.  I change the 1/3 of the water about every 2 weeks, 1/2 sand and 1/2 gravel substrate.  But as you probably notice my nitrate are off the chart.  is there anything I can do to keep the levels down.  Even when I had 1/2 the fish load my levels were this high.  Do anyone have any ideas??

Thanks for any help.

 

[ryanp15]

I am not an expert on chemistry type questions like this at all but one thing I can suggest is to buy a different test kit. Somtimes you get a bad test kit and it will read wrong. If you have had the same test kit the whole time try getting a new one. Sorry that's all I can help you with. ;D

 

[dattack]

I would suggest some things you can do in combo or not.
1.  Reduce fish load.
2.  Cut down on feeding.  I feed my fish only once a day.
3.  Water changes.
4.  Remove detritus/debris.
5.  Add different media in your fluval for more surface area?  Bioballs? ceramic stuff.  Better for biological bacteria to adhere.
6.  Check your tap water for nitrates.  It could be the source.
7.  Maybe add live plants as biological filters.
8.  Pray to the nitrate Gods.

I will take a guess as a cause:  Overfeeding? ;D

 

[JWright]

More water changes. 1/3 every two weeks isn't enough.

You can have filtration out to wazoo, but that isn't going to help your nitrates. The only way to remove nitrates are water changes.

I agree with everything dattack said except for #5, nitrate is the end of the nitrogen cyle, the amount of bacteria in your tank isn't going to impact it (unless of course you don't have enough, in which case you'll have less nitrate, but you'll have more ammonia).

Josh

 

[tsc]

Thanks alot,  I'll try doing 1/3 every week and see what happeneds.  I have tested the tap water everything seems good.  I probably do feed to much (twice a day), but if I don't my Botia make lunch for themselve  :'( .  I've stayed away from live plants because I keep reading it really mess with a tank if you don't know what your doing.  So I figure I'll wait until I learn a little more.  I'm setting up my 30 and 10 and maybe I'll transfer some into them after they cycle.  Thanks again for the suggestions.

Tim

 

[ryanp15]

Since you do feed twice a day do so sparingly.

Also you have heard a myth! Live plants are not hard to keep at all. There are 2 or 3 types that you practically can't kill! And they do a good job of balancing your tanks natural cycles out. I would suggest live plants to any hobbiest. Good luck. I'm always here if ya need any advice. ;D *celebratesmiley*

 

[ronrca]

I agree with Ryan! I just started with real plants a couple of months ago. I always thought that is was hard to keep plants but after doing a little research, it isnt that hard. One website I learned a lot was www.thekrib.com

I would give it a try with some hardy plants. If you can, get some flourite or something similar and the important factor is lighting. Of course then you also need some fertiziler and your pretty much set to go. You can always post your questions here too!  *thumbsupsmiley*