how do I lower the nitrate level in my fish tank fast?

Answer 1

Looking over the other input you got here, I'd say that you are on track. You maintain the levels by doing regular water changes. There's a few things that should be pointed out about this you need to know. Your nitrate levels build up according to how well your biological filtration are using. If you are not heavily overstocked or not excessively feeding your fish, there will be no signs of ammonia or nitrite in your tank. But a heavy bioload will also turn into more ammonia from fish respiration and fish waste. That ammonia = more nitrite which also = more nitrate. If you are finding your nitrate excessively high then consider that. One other source that may be causing nitrates to be high in your tank, is there may already be nitrate levels in your tap water source. You can always run a test on the tap water too.

All in all, assuming your tap water is safe, and your fish are not overstocked, but have high nitrates, you want to change your water weekly on a higher level. You don't need to be doing it every 12 hours or at 10 and 15 % levels. Change it at a higher level of about 30-40%. Do not go over 50%. A tank that is mature will have a stable PH and temp. Going over 50% puts you at risk to have a critical shift in your PH and temp that could kill or shock your fish. If you feel that there is a problem in your tank, this is what I'd do. Do a large change. Check the nitrate levels the next day. Keep in mind that 40 ppm is the threshold for levels that need changing. After you've done a large change, if you find your nirate levels still at about 20 or 10, then do another change and bring the levels down to 0. Then test your water each day to see just how fast the nitrate levels are rising. This will give you an idea of how often and how large of a change you need to be doing.

Answer 2

There could be a few reasons your nitrates are high. First what are you considering high? You will need to check your source water. Even tap water can have 20ppm and that is right out of the tap. Second how is the stocking in the tank? Keeping the tank stocking balance will also help. Weekly maintenance and cleaning schedule of water changes of 25% with gravel vacing keep the nitrates down as well. Low PH? How low? Most fish can and do live in a variety of PH levels. The key here is to have a stable one. Amquel + is fine to use as a water conditioner/dechlor. It isn't suposed to balance the PH nor lower the nitrates. PH is going to be what the PH is. Adding buffering salts or chemicals will only adjust the PH for a short period of time thus stressing your fish with the swift changes. If you find that your PH is basically too low, you can naturally and slowly adjust the PH and stabelize it. Simply add seashells. You can hide them in the tank or in the filter. Start by adding only one or two. This will slowly increase the PH in the tank. (Be sure to test since adding too many can raise the PH level in the tank too high.) No additives that are not natural. Chemicals are quickly pulled out by carbon and basically do not work but for a very short time. Use the shells if your ph is too low. (On the same, bog woods if the PH is too high) If you have bog woods in the tank, this also can be causing your low ph. As with the nitrates test your water source and get your base line. If you find the PH is at 7 then something in the tank is causing the PH to drop. Weekly water changes are a must.

Answer 3

i agree do regular changes at least 10% until it goes down...if you want a drastic change you might even go for a 50% though thats risky but be sure to have stress liquid so your fish dont die or get too stressed out over the dramatic change.....You might even go the safer route just do a 25%...it changes the water color and smell and doesnt stress fish out too much it works for my 55 gallon tank .....also turning of the lights after a water change helps the fish destress and helps the water

Answer 4

There's an actual solution you can use. I'm not sure what it's called but you can go ask your local pet store. It's not the regular water treatment, it's actually a solution specifically for ammonia and nitrate.

Answer 5

25% water changes every 12 hours for 2 days, then every day for a week, then everyweek for the rest of your life. use de chlorinated water, and try to get it as close to tank temperature as possible.

hope this helps

tom k

Answer 6

r u kidding?do regular water changes.....10% to 15% every week at the least....To lower nitrate in a hurry ...........do a 30%water change now......good luck.......do a 30%water change tomorrow too!!!!

Answer 7

use a nitrate sponge in your filter.. and do a thorough water change using a gravel vaccuum.