Blast It..no3 Sky High

[modaz]

did weeklt test yesturday due to new fry and all was ok but rummynose and clown acting strange and losing colour about 10 mins ago did test and its sky high, why would this have risen so fast, never had this happen before since having fish quick solution to drop this would be water change yeah

 

[WILDER]

Gravel vac and water change, when did you last maintain your filter, and how high is the nitrate reading.

 

[modaz]

Gravel vac and water change, when did you last maintain your filter, and how high is the nitrate reading.

cheers wilder

gravel vac, filter and 25% water change as usual on sunday evening, NO3 near 100

new additions to tank a selection of live plants, apple snails, just treated for neon tetra the start of last week..could this be the problem?

 

[WILDER]

You do mean nitrate and not nitrite.
Take a looks at your filter sponges to see if there really mucked up and blogged , one of your sponges might want a slight rinse in old tank water.
Only do one sponge though.
Whats your tap nitrate reading.

 

[fry_lover]

what is "sky high" in terms of numbers LOL

 

[WILDER]

Usually anything above 50 reading in nitrate wants fetching down with water changes.
A good guide to go by is your tap nitrate reading.
Reason for high nitrates is.
Old tank symdrome.
Overstocked.
Lack of maintance.
Filter not up to the job.
Over feeding.
Debris building up under ornaments.
Other things but cannot remember anymore for now.

 

[fry_lover]

"Filter not up to the job"

if the filter was not up to the job, then nitrite or even ammonia would be the issue surely?

normal filtration doesnt remove or lower Nitrate

 

[WILDER]

Yes normally when fish are to big for a tank and produce alot of waste that the filter can't keep up.
Plecs cause alot of waste in the gravel they are massive waste producers.
I don't no his ammonia or nitrite reading, sounds like to be there is alot of food and waste in the gravel, or his filter sponges need squeezing out in old tank water.
Plus I don't know his stocking of his tank or how many gallons or litres to take a good look at why the nitrate is high.
If he could answer these questions we will be able to get to the bottom of it faster.


normal filtration doesnt remove or lower Nitrate
Live plants are good for reducing nitrate, plus maintaining your filter sponges by knowing when to rinse one in old tank water.

 

[modaz]

You do mean nitrate and not nitrite.
Take a looks at your filter sponges to see if there really mucked up and blogged , one of your sponges might want a slight rinse in old tank water.
Only do one sponge though.
Whats your tap nitrate reading.

nitrates
filter was slightly clogged and rinsed one
tap nitrate around 20

 

[WILDER]

Thats your problem then, a sponge just needed a slight rinse.
You should be having a nitrate reading just above 20 now that you know your tap reading.

 

[modaz]

Thats your problem then, a sponge just needed a slight rinse.
You should be having a nitrate reading just above 20 now that you know your tap reading.

dropped to 50 within 10 mins cheers wilder very much appreciated.