Sophia Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Does high nitrate mean that there is an abnormal amount of nutrient in the water, ie food and fish waste etc, or that the filter isn't coping no matter how much nutrients there are? In the riverbed tank I wondered why the crypts were melting and did some tests. Ammonia and nitrite are nil but nitrate was 40ppm, maybe a bit more. I changed out about 15% and it went down to 10-20, fed the fish and next day back up again. Changed out 30% and still up to 40ppm, changed another 30% and it came down to about 20ppm. My tanks are usually quite low on nitrates. The java ferns seem to be thriving in this tank. Tap water nitrate is 0ppm. Planted minifish community tank nitrate is just about nil and it has 2 small filters in there, and possibly more plants and less fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Does high nitrate mean that there is an abnormal amount of nutrient in the water, ie food and fish waste etc, Yes. or that the filter isn't coping no matter how much nutrients there are Filter can't do a thing about nitrates. The normal cycle ends with nitrate, the filter is done. If it wasn't good enough there'd be measurable ammonia or nitrite with less nitrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted May 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 i thought as much will give the fish a night off food and see what happens thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 usually when my crypts melt (which happens when I look at the funny) it's a lack of light / macro nutrients. If they're not growing they won't be using the nitrates in the water and your test levels will spike. Clearly the Java fern can't keep up. I would increase the water changes (15% daily) for a week until the levels were back at 0ppm then go back to normal and see if it spikes again quickly or gradually. The filters are working properly but you might just have to adjust the frequency of the water changes going forward. wow, it's been a while since I've given some advice here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted May 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 wow, it's been a while since I've given some advice here... indeed... I don't think 40ppm is harmful to fish in itself but I worry that it will go up further so I will do the water changes and see if i can get it down again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 My tap water is around the 40 - 50ppm mark all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleDutch Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Can you check phosfate as well Sophia. Plants need : Light, Co2, primair fertilizers nitrate and phosfate (10 : 1) and secundair fertilizer as iron, magnesium, pottasium aso. Nitrate of 40 doesn't have to be a problem and never should be nil. Cheers Aad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted May 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 I know there is phosphate in both my tanks as there is unpleasant algae of various kinds. :cry1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Plant growth or water changes will get rid of nitrate but I wouldn't have thought that level would have been a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted May 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Alan, you're alive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 After nearly 10 weeks we have moved back into the house and are still walking round untold cartons of stuff. No internet for 5 days and upset people on trademe---all better from now we hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 After nearly 10 weeks we have moved back into the house and are still walking round untold cartons of stuff. No internet for 5 days and upset people on trademe---all better from now we hope. :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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