Nitrate

[kirztie14]

Hi,

just a quick one. I tested my water to notice that the nitrate was really high, roughly 15. So i did a 50% water change. this lowered the nitrate down to about 5, i checked it again 3 days later and it has gone up to about 10 (i know this is really bad!)

Do i just have to keep doing 25% water changes to lower this or is there any other way?
i've also heard that nitrate at this level can be deadly which sounds logical, just wondering what you guys think.

My reading are as follows
PH = 7.1
DH = 9
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10ish


Thanks!

EDIT


Okay to answer a few questions, its a tropical tank. i have the following fish in it.
9 Neon Tetras
2 bristle nose catfish
2 silver sharks
3 serpae tetras

now i know that tetras are only suitable for mature tanks, but when i bought them the sales person said that they would be fine for a new tank.

i have had the tank running with fish for about 4 months, i dont have any real plant life in it yet. The tank is about 200 Litres and im using a canister filter (i cant remember the brand or size sorry) with the sponge at the bottom and zeolite rocks in the top canister.
i feed my fish once in the morning daily, just a pinch, its a community food that floats on the top then gradually sinks.
Im using an aquarium fluro to light up the tank which is not on all day.

 

[Nim]

er. what are you keeping in the tank? Is it a saltwater tank? 15 nitrate is not very high infact for most tanks that is a very good value.

We however need more information on your setup: Tank size, list of fish, Any plants? Feeding schedule, What filter's are you using? etc. to be able to give a more insight.

There is no reason to panic as 15 nitrates would not cause anyone to panic even in a saltwater tank.

Nim

 

[waterdrop]

No, you've got it confused with Nitrite(NO2), which, like ammonia, is deadly to fish even in small amounts.

Nitrate(NO3) has been known not to kill fish at huge levels, like 400ppm or even 1000ppm, but its still not a good thing and its something we like to remove usually in a weekly water change. The 10, 20ppm etc. numbers you are seeing are actually fine for a normally functioning tank. When things are running really nicely, we like to see maybe 5 to 20ppm above whatever the tap water nitrate level is, as a healthy norm.

You don't say how long your tank's been going or whether you're trying to accomplish fishless cycling, fish-in cycling or maintenance of an already cycled tank. The members here can help you with any of these, as well as explaining them if they're not clear.. which is what this forum is all about.

~~waterdrop~~