Nitrate 160ppm

[doc matt]

Hi, I have a 5 ft tank and we had to move it from upstairs to downstairs for some new fitted wardrobes (don't ask, unless you wanna speak to the missus )

Anyway we had to empty the whole tank (cichlids, convicts, etc)

Its now downstairs, all the fish are fine, all water tests are normal except nitrate at 160ppm


Its got 2 big eheim filters as well as an undergravel filter with 2 powerheads.

Any ideas?

I know i'm gonna get slated for doing a 100% water change but it had to be done im afraid.

Matt

 

[snowyangel]

Woah 160? Never heard it that high. Try testing your water source?

 

[WILDER]

Yes i agree you will need to test your tap nitrate, also when diid you last maintain your filters.
Also need to look at the other stats in ammonia,nitrite.
How many gallons is the tank as i don't know how many gallon a 5ft tank is sorry., plus fulls stock list of fish.

 

[doc matt]

Tap

ph 7.2
nitrite 0
nitrate 10
ammonia 0

Tank

ph 7.6
nitirite 0
nitrate 165

Tank is 5 ft wide 2 ft high 2 foot depth, 15 medium size chichlids, 2 big externals.

just thought we introduced 4 new rocks when we arranged the new setup, could it be this?

Thanks in advance

 

[doc matt]

Anyone?

 

[doc matt]

Its been a few days now, if anyone could advise, it would be much appreciated. Cheers

 

[tttnjfttt]

What seems really wierd is that when you did a 100% water change, your nitrates got up very high very fast. I would honestly first question the test results, and try to get a second opinion by taking it to a LFS for a test (They do this for free).

High nitrates come from infrequent tank maintence, over stocking, or over feeding. Try to cut back if you are overfeeding. Also, begin doing daily water changes, However, start very slowly because you don't want to change the tank conditions drastically. Take a look at your stocking levels, if they are high, consider rehoming some fish.

Hope that helps!

 

[doc matt]

Appreciated, cheers