How To Lower Nitrates And Nitrites?

[corpse fish]

ok well i do a water test last week, two actually, in both tanks, because of high ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites. today i did a test, it was still really bad, and one fish was found dead just randomly. How do i get the stats down, since im worried about all my fish

 

[IovaykInD]

If your tank is going through a cycle, the only thing you can do is water changes to lower ammonia/nitrite levels.

 

[corpse fish]

If your tank is going through a cycle, the only thing you can do is water changes to lower ammonia/nitrite levels.

does it usually go through a cycle after i put fish in? i didnt do a fishless cycle but i let it run for a couple weeks, and its been up for weeks after that with the fish in it

 

[rdd1952]

Yes. Fish produce waste which is ammonia. Ammonia is transformed into nitrite and nitrite is transformed into nitrate. If you have nitrite and nitrate present, then the tank is cycling. You will need to do daily (or as needed) water changes to lower the levels until the tank finishes cycling. Naturally, you want the ammonia and nitrite to be 0 and the nitrate to be below 60 to 80 but for now, try to keep the ammonia and nitrite below 1 (or below .5 is better).

What size tank do you have, how long has it been running with fish and what fish do you have in it? What are your actual readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

 

[shiftingsands]

Yes. Fish produce waste which is ammonia. Ammonia is transformed into nitrite and nitrite is transformed into nitrate. If you have nitrite and nitrate present, then the tank is cycling. You will need to do daily (or as needed) water changes to lower the levels until the tank finishes cycling. Naturally, you want the ammonia and nitrite to be 0 and the nitrate to be below 60 to 80 but for now, try to keep the ammonia and nitrite below 1 (or below .5 is better).

What size tank do you have, how long has it been running with fish and what fish do you have in it? What are your actual readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

As well as following the advice you are being given , go out today if posible and get some real plants, which will help to take away the high readings in your tank. Moss balls are supposed to be excellent for this and you dont even have to disturb the tank, just drop them in. Floating plants are good also as you dont have to stress the fish by planting. The moss balls,Hornwort and Erigia Densa are cheap and easy lowlight plants.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Water changes with dechlorinator are the best way to lower harmful stats, although avoid taking out more than 60% of water a day- a 30% water change should be fine .