Nitrates Red

[tetraqueen]

I have changed the water and still nitrates are as high on the chart as they go.
Has anyone any idea what to do?

 

[Bloo]

NitrAtes are notiriously difficult to read and I generally struggly on anything much over 30ppm.
What test kit are you using ?
Btw, how old is the test kit ? Nitrate tests only have a 6 month shelf life once opened (and if still in the "expire before" period").

 

[tetraqueen]

NitrAtes are notiriously difficult to read and I generally struggly on anything much over 30ppm.
What test kit are you using ?
Btw, how old is the test kit ? Nitrate tests only have a 6 month shelf life once opened (and if still in the "expire before" period").

Thanks I am worried.
Easy test from Interpet bought last week

NitrAtes are notiriously difficult to read and I generally struggly on anything much over 30ppm.
What test kit are you using ?
Btw, how old is the test kit ? Nitrate tests only have a 6 month shelf life once opened (and if still in the "expire before" period").

Thanks I am worried.
Easy test from Interpet bought last week

it states 100mg/l at red colour

 

[Bloo]

Have you tested your tap water ?
Also, take a sample of the tapwater and let it stand overnight - and test again.
Here where I live, my tap nitrates are anything between 20-50ppm with average of 32ppm.
Anything up to 60ppm is ok but 100 is not....

How often do you normally change water and how much at a time ?

 

[tetraqueen]

Have you tested your tap water ?
Also, take a sample of the tapwater and let it stand overnight - and test again.
Here where I live, my tap nitrates are anything between 20-50ppm with average of 32ppm.
Anything up to 60ppm is ok but 100 is not....

How often do you normally change water and how much at a time ?

I change once a fortnight although recently bought a new gravel vac so have been doing a bit of racking around. I also changed filter sponge a week ago.

I have tested the tap I dont exact amounts but its dark red as red as it can be both from tap and tank I have not left it overnight from tap.

 

[Bloo]

You should ideally start doing that once a week with a 25% water change and gravel vac. From what I remember, you have a highly stocked tank at the moment, do you not ?
What filter do you have ?
Was there only 1 sponge in the filter and you changed the whole sponge ?

 

[tetraqueen]

You should ideally start doing that once a week with a 25% water change and gravel vac. From what I remember, you have a highly stocked tank at the moment, do you not ?
What filter do you have ?
Was there only 1 sponge in the filter and you changed the whole sponge ?

yes overstocked and no two sponges and yes changed both they well disgusting and the noodles are also but the lfs said leave noodles well alone.
I vacuum twice a week but water gets filtered back in as it does it tha way. I was told not to change too often and as its a small tank 20 litres is a big lot of the tank water temps would be drastic but i'll do it weeekly .


I am looking at new tanks but to go from this to a big tank I'm told will only make fish feel out of space. I am not rich so before I spend £500 I am looking at after Christmas before new tank will be on its way.

 

[Bloo]

Oh dear ! And there lies your problem By removing both sponges at the same time, you almost certainly caused your tank to go into a cycle - there is now no "good bacteria" left to keep the nitrogen cycle going
When you start doing your regular and weekly water changes - always give your sponges a good rinse in some siphoned tank water.
This will prevent them from sluding up.
What are the "noodles" ?
There is extremely little good bacteria in your substrate and just about none in the water.
Do you have a test kit for nitrite and ammonia ?
If not, you will have to get those and test your levels. They both need to be zero for the nitrogen cycle to be complete and fully functioning.
You will need to do daily water changes of around 10 - 15% until those levels are down.

 

[Squid]

I had massively high nitrates because before i joined this forum.. didnt really know what i was doing.. so, i did a 50% water change three days in a row and the nitrates dropped down to 20ppm.. it can take time.

Overstocking will definately not help.. if your nitrates are reaching above the safe amount within in the week, I guess you need to do more frequent water changes, or take some of the swimmers back...

Cheers
Squid

EDIT: Just noticed bloozoos comments, and yes, your problems may now be greater than nitrites as you changed all of the media in one go.. so.. follow bloozoo's comments and advice..

 

[tetraqueen]

Oh dear ! And there lies your problem By removing both sponges at the same time, you almost certainly caused your tank to go into a cycle - there is now no "good bacteria" left to keep the nitrogen cycle going
What are the "noodles" ?
There is extremely little good bacteria in your substrate and just about none in the water.
Do you have a test kit for nitrite and ammonia ?
If not, you will have to get those and test your levels. They both need to be zero for the nitrogen cycle to be complete and fully functioning.
You will need to do daily water changes of around 10 - 15% until those levels are down.

Ammonia has always been okay. Nitrite was up alittle to think about hubby said but down to good next time . Today its just the Nitrate thats bad ,.

The PH is also high


I 'll do as you suggest. Will i not clean he subtrate?.
Thanks I am worried Hubby hates this as he says its just another load of pets for me to fret over but I love them
I have told him what you are saying to get the tank quicker all he says is sell off the fish.

My daughter and i will miss them We are possesive well we bought them so like a dogs for life so should my fish be also.


I do want to thank you for your patience and time .

Oh dear ! And there lies your problem By removing both sponges at the same time, you almost certainly caused your tank to go into a cycle - there is now no "good bacteria" left to keep the nitrogen cycle going
What are the "noodles" ?
There is extremely little good bacteria in your substrate and just about none in the water.
Do you have a test kit for nitrite and ammonia ?
If not, you will have to get those and test your levels. They both need to be zero for the nitrogen cycle to be complete and fully functioning.
You will need to do daily water changes of around 10 - 15% until those levels are down.

Ammonia has always been okay. Nitrite was up alittle to think about hubby said but down to good next time . Today its just the Nitrate thats bad ,.

The PH is also high


I 'll do as you suggest. Will i not clean he subtrate?.
Thanks I am worried Hubby hates this as he says its just another load of pets for me to fret over but I love them
I have told him what you are saying to get the tank quicker all he says is sell off the fish.

My daughter and i will miss them We are possesive well we bought them so like a dogs for life so should my fish be also.


I do want to thank you for your patience and time .

Sorry noodles are like small clay tube pipes in your filter they let good bacteria grow to eat the badies or something.

 

[Bloo]

Oh dear - don't stress too much and I'm sure everything will work out
Just get the water right and your stocking levels and you should by all means be able to have a lovely tank with no stress.
Perform some 20 - 30% water changes over the next few days and see how it goes.
Are any of the fish actually showing any signs of illness or distress right now ?

 

[tetraqueen]

Oh dear - don't stress too much and I'm sure everything will work out
Just get the water right and your stocking levels and you should by all means be able to have a lovely tank with no stress.
Perform some 20 - 30% water changes over the next few days and see how it goes.
Are any of the fish actually showing any signs of illness or distress right now ?

As with the other guy I am new also.

In other words I am cruel not due to being nasty but trying to be kind.

I have read that if the fish head but the gravel they are not happy. I thought it was a dance.

One fish looked as though and I say nose above it's mouth had a little red mark.
lfs says I am okay for a wee while not to panic as I have 56 inches of fish 59 if I round up the guppies etc. so 59 inch in a 91 litre tank.


Would it be kinder and where do i get someone to take my lovely sharks and beautiful clown loaches when I have not good tank readings.,


Plan now is immediately
1. calm down myself
2. do water changes
3. Buy larger tank.
4 Keep reading and taking good advice Thanks

 

[Squid]

lfs says I am okay for a wee while not to panic as I have 56 inches of fish 59 if I round up the guppies etc. so 59 inch in a 91 litre tank.


Would it be kinder and where do i get someone to take my lovely sharks and beautiful clown loaches when I have not good tank readings.,

i think that might be a good idea.. but others with more experience may wish to offer some advice..

BTW.. is that 59 inches of fish when they are fully grown?

Squid

 

[Bloo]

I remember now You actually have 101" of fish in 24 Gallons.

I have 8 Neon tetras - 1" x 8 - 8"
2 platy's - 2" x 2 = 10"
2 Red Gouramis - 2" x 2 = 10"
2 Silver sharks - (Bala) 13" x 2 = 26"
1 Plec - (common) - 12" x 1 = 12"
1 Golden Gouramis - 5" x 1 = 5"
2 Clown Loaches - 12" x 2= 24"
3 Guppies - 2" x 3 = 6"
All of these are in a 90 litre tank.
The loaches are 4 inches
the Silver sharksapprox 4 "
The Pec is about 6 " but is about 3 " also in height .

I may add a few more female Guppies as advised not good ratio 2-1
However I may get a little tank for those or keep them and the platys and the tetras together in 90 litre and get a bigger tank.

Someone suggested 100 gallons? Is this necesary.

What would anyone advise.

Your tank is barely 24 US gallons

In there you have 93" of adult fish - do you see the (very big) problem ?

Oops : forgot to add in the Neons - make that a total of 101" .......

I would advise that you rehome the plec, sharks, clown loaches and golden gourami to start with - as soon as possible. For the sake of your fish's health and lives.

 

[tetraqueen]

lfs says I am okay for a wee while not to panic as I have 56 inches of fish 59 if I round up the guppies etc. so 59 inch in a 91 litre tank.


Would it be kinder and where do i get someone to take my lovely sharks and beautiful clown loaches when I have not good tank readings.,

i think that might be a good idea.. but others with more experience may wish to offer some advice..

BTW.. is that 59 inches of fish when they are fully grown?

Squid

No thats now they will be about 234cm when all reach their maximum.

lfs says I am okay for a wee while not to panic as I have 56 inches of fish 59 if I round up the guppies etc. so 59 inch in a 91 litre tank.


Would it be kinder and where do i get someone to take my lovely sharks and beautiful clown loaches when I have not good tank readings.,

i think that might be a good idea.. but others with more experience may wish to offer some advice..

BTW.. is that 59 inches of fish when they are fully grown?

Squid

No thats now they will be about 234cm when all reach their maximum.

Bala Sharks reach 35 cm I have two
Clown loaches =
and a Plec
and other small fish
So I need to get rid of a plec to bala sharks
and 2 Clown loaches
oh and a broken hearted daughter
lol


I have the thought too that a new tank will take about a month to settle down before I add these .
Cycling takes at least two weeks would i be right a bigger tank will take longer