High Nitrate Reading In A 135gallon Tank (low Stock)

[nathan3b]

Hey! my first post on the forums hope someone can give me some decent advice!

So I recently was given a 135gallon tank with the following stock ( 1 x Metriaclima callainos (I think), 1 x electric blue, 1 x yellow ibidichromis, 1 x Frontosa). it’s a fairly small stocking list for a 135gallon tank so I shouldn't be having any issues with my readings. my Ammo and nitrites are currently at 0ppm while my nitrate is floating around 35-40ppm. My tank has two Fluval 403's with water skimmers, using Bioballs, ammo carb and triple foam as media. I had plans to add more stock this weekend (around 14-15 more) but am afraid that my reading will then sky rocket creating unwanted stress.

Two nights ago I did a 35% water change and cleaned the gravel really well, also cleaned one of the fluval filters in its own tank water, I also add water dechlorinator and prime after every water change. Tonight I did another 50% water change and cleaned the second fluval (was really dirty, don’t think the previous owner maintained his filters at all). Since I had more room to add more bio balls I went ahead and bought two extra packs and added them into my existing media hoping to clear the water up a bit more.

Anyone have any ideas why my nitrates are really high for my current stocking level? Will the extra bio balls lower the readings? Should I hold off on purchasing more stock?


edit: my tap water shows a very low nitrate reading of less than 5ppm

 

[erk628]

Hey! my first post on the forums hope someone can give me some decent advice!

So I recently was given a 135gallon tank with the following stock ( 1 x Metriaclima callainos (I think), 1 x electric blue, 1 x yellow ibidichromis, 1 x Frontosa). it’s a fairly small stocking list for a 135gallon tank so I shouldn't be having any issues with my readings. my Ammo and nitrites are currently at 0ppm while my nitrate is floating around 35-40ppm. My tank has two Fluval 403's with water skimmers, using Bioballs, ammo carb and triple foam as media. I had plans to add more stock this weekend (around 14-15 more) but am afraid that my reading will then sky rocket creating unwanted stress.

Two nights ago I did a 35% water change and cleaned the gravel really well, also cleaned one of the fluval filters in its own tank water, I also add water dechlorinator and prime after every water change. Tonight I did another 50% water change and cleaned the second fluval (was really dirty, don’t think the previous owner maintained his filters at all). Since I had more room to add more bio balls I went ahead and bought two extra packs and added them into my existing media hoping to clear the water up a bit more.

Anyone have any ideas why my nitrates are really high for my current stocking level? Will the extra bio balls lower the readings? Should I hold off on purchasing more stock?


edit: my tap water shows a very low nitrate reading of less than 5ppm

 

[erk628]

Hey! my first post on the forums hope someone can give me some decent advice!

So I recently was given a 135gallon tank with the following stock ( 1 x Metriaclima callainos (I think), 1 x electric blue, 1 x yellow ibidichromis, 1 x Frontosa). it’s a fairly small stocking list for a 135gallon tank so I shouldn't be having any issues with my readings. my Ammo and nitrites are currently at 0ppm while my nitrate is floating around 35-40ppm. My tank has two Fluval 403's with water skimmers, using Bioballs, ammo carb and triple foam as media. I had plans to add more stock this weekend (around 14-15 more) but am afraid that my reading will then sky rocket creating unwanted stress.

Two nights ago I did a 35% water change and cleaned the gravel really well, also cleaned one of the fluval filters in its own tank water, I also add water dechlorinator and prime after every water change. Tonight I did another 50% water change and cleaned the second fluval (was really dirty, don’t think the previous owner maintained his filters at all). Since I had more room to add more bio balls I went ahead and bought two extra packs and added them into my existing media hoping to clear the water up a bit more.

Anyone have any ideas why my nitrates are really high for my current stocking level? Will the extra bio balls lower the readings? Should I hold off on purchasing more stock?


edit: my tap water shows a very low nitrate reading of less than 5ppm

Opps forgot to write something. Anyways your readings are fine. Nitrates are safe at 40 ppm or less so you have nothing to worry about there. I'd say your good to go with adding more fish this weekend. Howver I wouldn't add that many at one time though I think it would make your readings go crazy. I would spread that out in a few weeks instead of all at once and just keep checking your water.

 

[dcarmor927]

Welcome!!! The easiest way to get rid of nitrates is with a water change and gravel sweep...if you dont have plants in the tank (i guess they use nitrates, idk i dont have any live plants) you'll have to do those water changes somewhat regularly...also were those 4 fish the only ones in the tank before you obtained it? if so you should purchase a small amount, maybe 5, as your bacteria will need to grow in order to complete the nitrogen cycle...good luck

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome Nathan. The biological action of your filter will convert ammonia and nitrites but the only way to deal with nitrates in a freshwater tank is with water changes. There is nothing in the filter that will do anything to help with nitrates.