nitrate spike

[Peatear]

I have a very well planted 55 gallon with a sunfish in it, granted i did forget to do a water change last week but i tested my water today before doing one and it read 160 ppm on nitrates but 0 on ammonia and nitrites?? im trying to figure out how to take these down but also how it happened? the tank is very well planted as i said and the fish has been looking fine, i also do not over feed as i only feed one worm about every 2-3 days. anyone know how to take it down and prevent it from happened again?

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

I have a very well planted 55 gallon with a sunfish in it, granted i did forget to do a water change last week but i tested my water today before doing one and it read 160 ppm on nitrates but 0 on ammonia and nitrites?? im trying to figure out how to take these down but also how it happened? the tank is very well planted as i said and the fish has been looking fine, i also do not over feed as i only feed one worm about every 2-3 days. anyone know how to take it down and prevent it from happened again?

How much are you dosing fertilizers?

 

[Uberhoust]

Nitrates are most effectively removed with water changes. When you do a water change how much are you changing. 160 pp for nitrates suggests that your water change amount is insufficient for the number of nitrates produced by the fish and or added through fertilization, or... something is decomposing in the tank.

I would start with a water change of at least 50% which would drop the nitrates to 80ppm, followed by a second 50% change in a couple days to drop the nitrates to 40 ppm. I have heard of old tank syndrome and fish adapting to higher nitrates, but in my experience, I haven't seen an issue with my fish, but I also haven't had nitrates to 160. Are you sure your water from the tap is low in nitrates.

I always wanted to raise sunfish. My father kept them many years ago in a very large tank and they were very fun to feed, almost like oscars. Do you have any photos?