Nitrate, Nitrite And Ammonia

[Sandzee23]

I just did a water test and found some readings that ive never seen before. My nitrate and nitrite levels are quite high! i read that nitrate is risen by over feeding but my ammonia is low?
So, how do i reduce my nitrate and nitrite? Is it as simple as water changes or do i have to do something more?
Cheers guys

 

[Keeper Of Cichlids]

How high is it exactly?
Whats the readings?
Water changes is the key.

 

[Sandzee23]

Nitrite is about 1.5 nitrate is around 70, i did a water change 6 days ago

 

[mattlee]

big water change quick as any nitrite level is harmfull if not deadly to fish.

is there any reason for this spike like new fish added or decor change etc?

nitrate isnt too much of a worry but the water change will reduce this a bit too.

re-test after the change giving the water an hour or so to mix with the old

 

[Sandzee23]

Big water change done, i reckon 70% i could do more because (and this answers you question) i didnt want to stress the new fish i got yesterday. I'll test again now and do more water changes through the week

 

[Sandzee23]

So i did another water test today an hour afterr my water chane and found my nitrite may have dropped a tiny bit but not that much, i also tested my tap water and saw that had a reading of about 0.1-0.2 but i read any nitrite is dangerous, so will 0.1 be okay in a fish tank? Theres the perfect amount of ammonia in my tank so i dont understand why my nitrite is so high?

 

[mattlee]

how long has the tank been running? is it fully cycled?

 

[Sandzee23]

Yes yes, ive had the tank for 2 and a half years now, fully cycled. Never had this problem before.

 

[Sandzee23]

My nitrite has actually gone down from 3 water changes in 3 days, but only a small amount. Maybe it will take weeks to get it all fhe way back down im not sure

 

[CezzaXV]

Your filter will be cycled to the amount of fish you have. If you've recently added fish then this will be the reason as the bacteria need to breed to catch up. Just keep an eye on the levels and do a water change where necessary.

 

[Sandzee23]

Ahh, thankyou pal

 

[BETTY BOO]

hope your tank gets back to normal soon.its so stressing when this happens.

 

[Sandzee23]

Yes, yes it is