Sophia Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 I am missing something vital here.... in the breeding tank where I just meth-blued to zap any fungus the nitrate has gone quite high within the week. It's 10ppm+ which I believe isn't too bad but for it to get there in a few days would not be pleasant for my fish, who incidentally was flashing about and not eating. Anyway, I changed 8 out 22 litres but the nitrate level didn't go down. I would have thought that putting fresh water in would give her some relief. Luckily I had another tank next door with no nitrate reading so I put her in there instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamstar99 Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 10ppm is quite low. And changing out 35-40% of your water should of bought it down. Could be just misreading the subtle difference between 5-10ppm. Did you have the two tests side to compare? i would not think a nitrate reading like that would be causing your fish to flash, would think it would be another stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Yeah, I think that 5-10 ppm is within the range of error of an average test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 it had been 0 a few days before though :dunno: I didn't have the 2 tests side by side, should have done. I didn't understand properly till after I'd meth blued the tank that the nitrifying bacteria would die so I presume that is the result of the spike. If I had realised I would have tested the water during the week. Hopefully she will improve overnight. She wasn't flashing much and certainly not when I visited her just now after a spell in the other tank. In the nitratey tank I've dumped a load of moss, that should bring the level down again shouldn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Killing off the nitrifying bacteria would, if anything, cause a drop in nitrates not an increase(Until they recover then you'll get a big jump) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Tested your water supply lately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 not lately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 My tap water nitrate is 50ppm. If you have used meth blue it will alter the colour of your tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 The NZ drinking water standard is 20 ppm is it not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Tested my tap water this morning and it's 10ppm. Tank 1 (original place of fish) is 10-20 - closer to 20 Tank 2 (new place) is 20 Ammonia in both is between 0 and 0.25. Funnily enough the fish seems more perky today in the 2nd tank and is interested in food again. The meth blue colour has mostly disappated - would it still alter the tests? I don't know if I am looking for the colour affecting the colour or the effect affecting the colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 I guess the colour of the meth blue being blue will effect the colour :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2012 I don't assume anything because I am often wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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