Nitrate

bikerfish · Feb 21, 2012

Hi to all

just up graded to a bigger tank, Having real nitrate problems, I having been trying a new product out which is called alpha.
Lucky none of my fish have died yet, have to airline running in and 6 real plants .testing every day but still high, any suggestions as banging head on wall with this :grr:

all help with will be gratefully recieved

FishFanatic04 · Feb 21, 2012

Nitrate? or Nitrite?

fluttermoth · Feb 21, 2012

Nitrat is not a big problem, unless very high (above 80 or 100ppm); but large water changes should bring it down.

dh058977 · Feb 21, 2012

Unless its crazy high Nitrate shouldnt be an issue. As FM says, a simple water change will bring it down, dont forget the dechlorinator!

bikerfish · Feb 21, 2012

FishFanatic04 said:
Nitrate? or Nitrite?

Hi oppssssss it is nitrite , sorry

sorry all it is nitrite

FishFanatic04 · Feb 21, 2012

Def. Need to be doing water cahnges to keep the nitrites down. Did you switch to a new filter?

opps changes**

bikerfish · Feb 21, 2012

Its a brand new tank , done all what suppose to and had it running for a couple of weeks adding live bacteria, added a few hardy fish to start with for a few days then put rest of my fish in tank and thats when all went tits up and been like this for a week and half :crazy:

dh058977 · Feb 21, 2012

bikerfish said:
Its a brand new tank , done all what suppose to and had it running for a couple of weeks adding live bacteria, added a few hardy fish to start with for a few days then put rest of my fish in tank and thats when all went tits up and been like this for a week and half

Heres your mistake, you are doing a 'fish in' cycle. This is not something you will find alot of people on here recommending as it is alot harder to do and not very nice for the fish. You should be doing large daily water changes to keep the Ammonia and Nitrites down. Personally I think while your pouring away the waste water, pour the bottles bacteria with it! They are next to useless and not worth wasting your money on! lol

In an ideal world, you could return the fish and read up in the beginners section about fishless cycling OR carryon with a fish in cycle. Either way, have a read of the beginners section paying close attention to the sections on whichever cycle you choose.

Good luck!

bikerfish · Feb 21, 2012

I had never heard of fishless cycle till coming on here, I had my old tank for about a year before upgrading to this nightmare. I asked all the questions at good tropicalfish centre near me all they said was run tank for a couple of weeks adding live bacteria and test before adding just a few fish which I did only when I put the rest of fish in was when nightmare began , been recomended alpha new product out where you dont have to do water changes just check and add everyday till sorted out. luckily not lost any fish yet but think due to having to airlines running in tank

dh058977 · Feb 21, 2012

bikerfish said:
I had never heard of fishless cycle till coming on here, I had my old tank for about a year before upgrading to this nightmare. I asked all the questions at good tropicalfish centre near me all they said was run tank for a couple of weeks adding live bacteria and test before adding just a few fish which I did only when I put the rest of fish in was when nightmare began , been recomended alpha new product out where you dont have to do water changes just check and add everyday till sorted out. luckily not lost any fish yet but think due to having to airlines running in tank

This is not true, even a cycled tank needs water changes to get rid of the building Nitrates. I always find this part comes across as harsh no matter how people try so forgive me if it does - The fish shop are out to make money from you and wont always give you the great advice that experienced members here can. Im not saying all fish shops are the same but telling you not to do water changes is bad advice whatever stage your tank is at and they have already made money out of you by selling you this 'alpha' and bottled bacteria.

My advice, use your fish shops to buy fish, this forum for advice / recommendations and always rememeber you keep water not fish! lol

fluttermoth · Feb 21, 2012

I agree.

I wouldn't be using any chemiclas right now, except for a dechlorinator.

Plenty of good clean water, warmed and dechlorinated is all you need.