my nitrate levels are super high and I just did a 20% water change, I was reading about bio-balls and I read t

Question

I just got this tank from a friend and it has been a success for over 1 year, I think the move mixed up the water and dispersed a lot of nitrates, can anyone please help?

Answer 1

Bio balls are typically used in salt water tanks. Is your set-up a marine system? This information and what is in your tank will assist in giving you a more precise answer.

What do consider "super high"? In most instances, there will always be nitrates in your tank. Generally, 40ppm and less is acceptable (freshwater tanks). Nitrates are the end result of the nitrification process (nitrogen cycle). Planted tanks benefit from nitrates. However, excessive nitrates can lead to algae blooms. Green algae is typically harmless, althought it can be unsightly.

Excessive nitrates can be produced in an overstocked tank! The best way to control nitrates is to ensure your tank is not overstocked, and by performing routine partial water changes.

This information is based upon my freshwater tank experience, so there may be some significant differences if your set-up is salt or brackish water.

Hope this helps.

*** Edit *** Be wary of any answerer's information that tells you specific levels of anything are "high" when that person is unware of the contents of your tank. 40ppm of nitrAtes could be considered high in one tank and not another depending upon what is in the tank. You didn't state what is in your tank, so it's impossible for anyone to give you specific information with any credibility. My information is given in generalities and I stated that in my answer!

Answer 2

Can the Bio balls. They hold Nitrate and other organics that can cause bad chemistry. Do another 30% water change for a total of 50% and you should be good. Like what was sugested before check your tap. You should be using a conditionr or reverse osmosis water. If the substrate was mixed up then that is a possibility but again do another water change and use a good conditioner. Ideally your trates should be 0ppm but up 20 I guess is okay if I had to pick a number.

Answer 3

There are additives you can buy that are bacteria strains. Their purpose is to consume excessive nitrates left by your fishes waste. They are sold at most Aquarium shops,maybe even Petsmart carries it too. I have used it in the past with no ill effects on any of my marine life. I actually start my systems with it now. I think this should help. The move may have destroyed a large portion of the already grown colony,the water changes probably had an adverse affect on it's growth as well. Short of an instant replenishment of the bacteria(which come in live liquid,or hibernating powder form). Water changes won't suffice. It's your invisible filter system. That's just one of many solutions(I believe your cheapest alternative). Bio balls only house this invisible colony in a trickle system,under gravel systems will also support the bacteria as well. Ultra violet will also remove them as well,not sure of the cost but pricey. Some filter systems like penquin also have built in support systems for the bacteria colony.
I presume you know how important it is to rid the aquarium of these nitrates. Bacteria colony it's the Yin of the yang

Answer 4

What are the levels,40ppm is high,try to keep them around 20ppm.How did you move the tank,and filters.If the filter media dried out in the move this will kill all the benefical bacteria that had grown on it.Same goes for the gravel.
Water changes would be the way to go to lower them.If they are really high,do a 50%water change,check 24 hours later,if they are still high,do it again until it lowers.If there not extremely high,try changing 25% daily until they lower.

I don't know anything about bio balls,except I think they are used in marine and sump setups.

Answer 5

you're dazzling to fret on the subject of the dangers of doing a huge water substitute. in case you do a huge water substitute you threat changing the water chemistry too lots and inflicting marvel. to boot to the severe nitrates, your pH is in all probability very low to boot and a unexpected substitute would be deadly. even whilst the substitute is an progression in water high quality. you're continually extra advantageous off doing a pair water adjustments over a pair weeks than doing one great one. you may ought to do 4-6 of them over a month and a nil.5. yet there is not any longer lots paintings in contact. only siphon out water and replace. Do some gravel cleanings alongside with your siphon gravel cleanser. and use your nitrate attempt often times to make certain the way you're doing. only make certain to no longer overclean the clear out, depart maximum clear out supplies the two grimy or somewhat rinsed in grimy tank water you're disposing of for the water substitute. you are able to put in new carbon if the water gets yellow yet in any different case it is not correct. do no longer do too lots at as quickly as of something. wipe the glass each and each water substitute, would not must be thorough, only get lots of the slime off the partitions. Do 25-35% water adjustments and pay interest to the temperature of the hot water. Use a unmarried finger to evaluate the tank water with the hot water; your finger is honestly exceptionally precise telling 2 temperatures aside. Use top in case you want, that's high quality to alter water conditioners to a extra advantageous one. Use it in accordance to the instructions on the bottle, you only ought to apply the quantity mandatory to handle the hot water. (in my view i exploit Amquel and Novaqua the two on all new water, continually have, continually will. another conditioners and ammonia detoxifiers are crap and could reason matters, extraordinarily whilst overused)

Answer 6

super high is around 40ppm
20ppm or lower is actually perfect for any fishtank setup

The reason for having high nitrates is usually for not cleaning the tank on a regular basis

You're suppose to do partial waterchanges of 25% weekly with a gravelsiphon, which will keep your nitrates low and your tank healthy



Hope that helps
Good luck


EB



Feel free to email me

Answer 7

have you checked your tap water first of all,sometimes the nitrates in tap water are high and there is nothing you can do about it.
what are your nitrite and ammonia levels like they are the real killers in a tank not your nitrate.