fresh water fish tank has high nitrates, nitrites are zero, ph is low...help please?

Answer 1

The only way to remove high nitrates is by doing water changes. You want to try to keep the level below 40 ppm for a freshwater tank or 20 for saltwater. This may also be why your pH is low, since built-up wastes can make the pH decrease.

You don't say what the actual value of the pH is, and most fish are perfectly able to survive in a range of pH from 6 to 8. It doesn't need to be an exact "7". The only exceptions I'd make are to wild-caught fish and some sensitive species like African cichlids, discus, and saltwater fish. In general, you do more harm to the fish by trying to change the pH than to allow it to be what it is natuarally, and giving your fish extra time to adapt when you first put them in. If your pH is below 6, you can add a little crushed coral or shells in a mesh bag inside your filter - this will increase the pH more gradually and more permanently (than chemicals to change your pH), but it will fluctuate every time you do a water change.

Answer 2

in case you have 4 goldies i'm assuming you have an adequate tank length, of a minimum of 50+ gallons as goldfish require 10-15 gallons in line with fish. I additionally advise a filter out that handles double the potential of your tank. I relatively have 4 goldies in a fifty 5 gallon with a a hundred and ten gallon rated filter out. without an adequate tank and filtration device you're placing your self up for ill and dying fish. Is your tank cycled? A cycling tank might desire to be examined the different day. A cycled tank could be examined as quickly as a week. All fish proprietors might desire to have a drop try equipment attainable for pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and hardness/softness. Goldfish require cooler water of 60-seventy 5 F. They require alkaline water, it is the pH and because a 7.0 is independent they require a pH of 7.2-7.8. you will might desire to be certain you get a equipment with a 'intense selection' pH try for this. The ammonia ought to be 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm and nitrates decrease than 20 ppm. If any of those are off it would desire to reason rigidity, ailment or perhaps dying. the only thank you to the perfect option water high quality subject concerns is with water alterations...50% emergency alterations in extreme situations with 20-25% every day or the different day till the project is corrected. you additionally can use Kordon's AmQuel Plus to detoxify any ammonia or nitrites in the water so as that the fish don't get ill yet use this with warning in a cycling tank in view which you would be neutralizing it and not allowing the nitrogen cycle to end. solid success.

Answer 3

There are two was on how nitrates can be take out of the water. Either water changes or they can be absorbed by plants. To increase pH, do water changes or put some crushed corals to increase the amount of hydrogen ions in the water (pH)