Are My Nitrates High.

[Meogeo]

I have had my fish tank set up for 5 months now and had my fish in the tank for approx 14 weeks, everything was fine with the tank until the last couple of weeks when I have noticed the Nitrates starting to rise and they are now at 40ppm, Amonia is fine at 0 also Nitrites are at 0, I have never changed the filter media except the fine membrane once every 2 weeks.

Do I need to do a filter change or should I clean the filter and do I have to worry to much about the Nitrate levels?

Another problem I am having is the Plants are getting discoloured and 1 other plant is getting very straggly I will put this down to the CO2 levels which are zero so need to sort that out.

 

[techen]

I have had my fish tank set up for 5 months now and had my fish in the tank for approx 14 weeks, everything was fine with the tank until the last couple of weeks when I have noticed the Nitrates starting to rise and they are now at 40ppm, Amonia is fine at 0 also Nitrites are at 0, I have never changed the filter media except the fine membrane once every 2 weeks.

Do I need to do a filter change or should I clean the filter and do I have to worry to much about the Nitrate levels?

Another problem I am having is the Plants are getting discoloured and 1 other plant is getting very straggly I will put this down to the CO2 levels which are zero so need to sort that out.

Waterchange would fix nitrate, It's fine at the level that it's at alittle higher you might be having problems. Do you have a CO2 system?

 

[Meogeo]

Just another note I have a RIO 180 Tank and I do a water change of 20% every fortnight.

I have had my fish tank set up for 5 months now and had my fish in the tank for approx 14 weeks, everything was fine with the tank until the last couple of weeks when I have noticed the Nitrates starting to rise and they are now at 40ppm, Amonia is fine at 0 also Nitrites are at 0, I have never changed the filter media except the fine membrane once every 2 weeks.

Do I need to do a filter change or should I clean the filter and do I have to worry to much about the Nitrate levels?

Another problem I am having is the Plants are getting discoloured and 1 other plant is getting very straggly I will put this down to the CO2 levels which are zero so need to sort that out.

Waterchange would fix nitrate, It's fine at the level that it's at alittle higher you might be having problems. Do you have a CO2 system?

No CO2 system yet been reading through how to set your own up, so will try that out first.

 

[techen]

Just another note I have a RIO 180 Tank and I do a water change of 20% every fortnight.

I have had my fish tank set up for 5 months now and had my fish in the tank for approx 14 weeks, everything was fine with the tank until the last couple of weeks when I have noticed the Nitrates starting to rise and they are now at 40ppm, Amonia is fine at 0 also Nitrites are at 0, I have never changed the filter media except the fine membrane once every 2 weeks.

Do I need to do a filter change or should I clean the filter and do I have to worry to much about the Nitrate levels?

Another problem I am having is the Plants are getting discoloured and 1 other plant is getting very straggly I will put this down to the CO2 levels which are zero so need to sort that out.

Waterchange would fix nitrate, It's fine at the level that it's at alittle higher you might be having problems. Do you have a CO2 system?

No CO2 system yet been reading through how to set your own up, so will try that out first.

I suggest you move the plant question down to the plant section, People will be able to help you out there much faster.

 

[Meogeo]

Thanks techen

 

[scotty]

remember to only clean filter in tank water,and use a water dechlorinator when doing waterchanges

 

[Tuxyu3]

CO2 levels which are zero

I can almost guarantee you that you're CO2 levels are not zero.

I would recommend you up the water changes or do larger ones.

 

[fluttermoth]

Just another note I have a RIO 180 Tank and I do a water change of 20% every fortnight.

Yep, that's not enough, although a nitrate level of 40ppm is nothing to worry about, for most fish. Most tanks benefit from weekly water changes.