Nitrate Levels

[eggy64]

I just tested the my water. Amonia and nitrite levels look ok. But nitrate level is somewhere between 40-80 ppm going by the colour chart. Is this high? If so what can I do about it?

 

[@ombomb]

Ammonia / Nitrite are HIGHLY toxic and should be 0 if the tank is cycled.

While Nitrates of 80 aren't really going to harm anything other than the more sensitive fish it's not too much too worry about, but algae could be a problem. Water changes are the best way to keep your Nitrates down and maybe some live plants.

How old is the tank?

How big is the tank?

What's in there at the moment?

 

[eggy64]

Ammonia / Nitrite are HIGHLY toxic and should be 0 if the tank is cycled.

While Nitrates of 80 aren't really going to harm anything other than the more sensitive fish it's not too much too worry about, but algae could be a problem. Water changes are the best way to keep your Nitrates down and maybe some live plants.

How old is the tank?

How big is the tank?

What's in there at the moment?

Not sure about the age as I just aquired it from a friend at work but it is fairly mature. It measures 100mm L x 40mm w x 40mm D. Its a juwel 180.

Weve got 2 silver sharks 2 cat fish 2 clown loach and about 15 to 20 various tetras

 

[Nim]

2 Silver sharks and 2 Catfish.. which catfish are these any idea?.. This is probably why you have high nitrates. Nitrates is the end product of bacterial activity detoxifying fish waste so you really need to either increase your water changes or get rid of the shaks as the very least.. the tank is really too small for them.

Have you tested the Nitrates of your tap water? What are the readings?

Nim

 

[@ombomb]

Well just keep up regular (weekly 20% - 30%) water changes and don't overfeed and you should be fine.

As a side note, the clown loaches and the silver sharks will BOTH grow too big for the tank and should both be in groups of 3 or more.

Depending on what the catfish are, they could be fine, but some (Corys for example) also need to be in groups and some (Common Plecs for example) get too big and messy for the tank which will be a real influence on the Nitrates. Any chance of a more specific ID or a photo?

 

[eggy64]

Well just keep up regular (weekly 20% - 30%) water changes and don't overfeed and you should be fine.

As a side note, the clown loaches and the silver sharks will BOTH grow too big for the tank and should both be in groups of 3 or more.

Depending on what the catfish are, they could be fine, but some (Corys for example) also need to be in groups and some (Common Plecs for example) get too big and messy for the tank which will be a real influence on the Nitrates. Any chance of a more specific ID or a photo?

Did I say mm? I meant cm!!! Tank is 3.5 feet across and 1ft 4in deep and the same high. Is this still too small for the sharks? to the untrained eye they seem to have alot of room to move around and they are full grown. Sorry no pic. Camera broke

 

[@ombomb]

Did I say mm? I meant cm!!! Tank is 3.5 feet across and 1ft 4in deep and the same high. Is this still too small for the sharks? to the untrained eye they seem to have alot of room to move around and they are full grown.

Did you say mm? I read cm!

Still too small, they need 75USG / 280 litres as a minimum.

Can you at least describe the catfish in more detail?

 

[eggy64]

Did I say mm? I meant cm!!! Tank is 3.5 feet across and 1ft 4in deep and the same high. Is this still too small for the sharks? to the untrained eye they seem to have alot of room to move around and they are full grown.

Did you say mm? I read cm!

Still too small, they need 75USG / 280 litres as a minimum.

Can you at least describe the catfish in more detail?

Catfish are dark brown with grey spots about 3.5 in long and sucker on underside. I tested tap water and it high in nitrate. Can I treat it with something before putting in tank?

 

[@ombomb]

How high is high?

Do the catfish look like this:

If so... they grow to be monsters and will also need to be rehomed.

or like this:

If so you're in luck as they should max out around 4"-5".

 

[eggy64]

How high is high?

Do the catfish look like this:

If so... they grow to be monsters and will also need to be rehomed.

or like this:

If so you're in luck as they should max out around 4"-5".

Sorry not replied sooner...had to go to work Catfish looks like second one so I ok with them. Mate at work going have sharks off me when his new 400 ltr tank is ready.

Nitrate level of tap water is showing dark orange on colour chart, so around 20 ppm.