nitrate

[ana_angel]

Hi
I have a unusually high level of nitrate in my tank - its 2 weeks old and we put in some guppies and danrios - all the danrios have died - what am i doing wrong?
I have changed 30% of the water - was this the right thing to do?

 

[B75]

What are your water readings?

 

[WILDER]

I think you mean nitrite do you.

 

[ana_angel]

no the store said nitrate

 

[ana_angel]

What are your water readings?

im not sure but the guy at the store said the ph level was 8 - the tenpoerature at the moment is 26.25

 

[WILDER]

What are your nitrates in tap water, but I can't see if being high nitrates more like high nitrites.

 

[ana_angel]

What are your nitrates in tap water, but I can't see if being high nitrates more like high nitrites.

I dont know im sorry im only new to this and when i changed the water the fish seemed ok - now they all floating to the top im worried - i brought some antibacterial stuff and added 2 teaspoons when i changed the water - what else can i do? if anything

 

[B75]

The best thing is to go out and buy a wter test kit, this will give you readings of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph, then we should be able to help you pin point the problem.

 

[ana_angel]

The best thing is to go out and buy a wter test kit, this will give you readings of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph, then we should be able to help you pin point the problem.

the store already tested it the ph level is 7 and they said its high in nitrates and to change the water 3 times a week for the next 2 weeks and to add bacteria - what im asking is why the other fish are kinda hanging around the top?

 

[B75]

You will find the fish are hanging around the top of your water because your tank is going through a cycle where the fish are producing ammonia which is converted into nitrites which are very harmful for all fish, these nitries drop after about 4-5 weeks.

High nitrates are not always a risk with fish as some people have nitrates as high as 50ppm. Keep up the water changes, daily if you have to.
Fingers crossed for you.

 

[ana_angel]

oh no the store said they would lower after 2 weeks should i change 30 % daily then?

 

[B75]

Ok this is what i would do, do daily changes of 20% for about a week but I would advise that you buy a test kit for the water because you will need to keep a close eye on both ammonia and nitrite levels ( both hazardous to your fishes lives). If you notice a drop in these levels then you can start reducing the water changes to about 3 times a week until both ammonia and nitrite levels are 0.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.petfish.net/cycling.htm

 

[gale]

High nitrates are not likely to kill your fish that quickly unless it's unbelievably high. Your lfs should have tested for ammonia and nitrites too. When fish hang out at the top of the tank, gasping for air, it probably means the ammonia and nitrites are high. Not much you can do other than continue water changes until your tank cycles.

 

[ana_angel]

thanks ill let you know how i get on