High nitrates?

Question

hello i had very high nitrates of 160ppm in my tank, i was doing 25 - 30% water changes but was having no effect, so today i done a 50% water change and they are now at 40% should i treat my fish for finrot now or do a 25% water change 2mo and then treat as once i treat i wont b able 2 do a water change till the treatment ends in 7 days. thanx for taking time to help

i think the prob started when i did an overhall of my tank when i lift up a big rock it had lots of fish waste under it, cleaned it best i could but it must have got into water. anyway i have now put in the meds and just hope my fish ok, my oscar not looking to good at the mo :( ill do a 25% water change 2mo and top up the meds and then leave it for 7 days?im gonna get some plants to help keep nitrate down. thank 4 all the info u guys giving

Answer 1

Do another water change and immediately treat for fin rot,be sure there is no charcoal in your filter before treating.(The charcoal will remove the medication before it can work.) Then after 7 days do another 25% change and re-treat. Repeat this cycle until the fins are obviously growing back,then add back the charcoal,if you use it. Keep up the once-a-week 25% changes to manage the Nitrate problem.

Answer 2

If your fish eat the easy-balance from tetra, they will die.

You are already doing the right thing. Water changes or heavily planted tanks are the only way to safely remove nitrates. Remember you might notice a slower drop in nitrates now that it is lower. Check your tap water as well, if it has some nitrates, it can make the process longer. If you can keep it under 20 ppm, your fish will love you for it and thier immune system and health will be optimum.

Once you have your nitrates under control, and if your fish have damage or fungus, use a combination of MelaFix and PimaFix for a week. This is a natural healer (so you won't be adding a chemical solution). You can change water, just add enough treatment to make up for the amount you replace and you will have the same strength.

It is scary to see it way off like that, but you did the right thing. Just keep checking it until you can get a feel for the pattern, then you don't have to test so much. Overfeeding can cause nitrate spikes, as well as decaying food on the bottom of the tank. Undergravel filters are notorious for nitrate problems because they hold all the waste and uneaten food particles under the gravel and leach it out as the water passes by.

Hope all goes well for you.

Answer 3

I'll agree with PeeTee's answer, but add that when you do your water changes, use a gravel vacuum to clean down into your substrate - it sounds as though you might have a build-up of fish feces and excess food somewhere for the nitrate levels you're getting. Also, be sure you aren't overfeeding your fish - no more than they can eat in 2-3 minutes twice a day.

You might also want to check your water source - it might contain nitrates which are getting into your tank!

Answer 4

You shuold use Easy Balance from Tetra. Its sets nitrites and other things to the proper level.