Overstocked?

[newfishaddict]

Am I overstocked? I am getting ammonia and nitrite readings of zero, and nitrate readings of 20-40 ppm(mg/L) every 4-5 days. I then do a water change of about 20-25%. Nitrate readings then go to about 10 ppm(mg/L) ; anyone doing the “maths” can see that this does not make sense. Reading the nitrate test colors is not easy and I must be reading it a bit high. Anyway , my tank is behaving like it is overstocked. Am I?

I have a 29g with lots of live plants, 1.7 watts per gallon, and a external aquaclear power filter that is for 30-50g tanks. I have 5 juvenile (10cm) Denisons Barbs, 3 mature platies, 3 mature bloodfin tetras, one mature dwarf gourami. That is it…From what I understand this should not be overstocked….

Perhaps I am overfeeding?

Any ideas?

 

[rdd1952]

Your tank doesn't appear to be over stocked but fish aren't the only source of ammonia. Overfeeding is the single worst cause of problems. If you are feeding too much and the fish don't eat it all, the food will break down and form ammonia which, as you know, eventually becomes nitrate.

Also, depending on the plants you have, they could be part of the problem. A lot of places sell some beautiful plants for the aquarium but they aren't really aquatic plants so they begin to die once they are submerged. That in turn creates waste and more nitrate (eventually).

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

1-40 nitrates is nothing to worry about. It's normal for there to Nitrates in a tank, but once you go over 40 it can become dangerous. Your keeping your fish fine.

 

[newfishaddict]

Your tank doesn't appear to be over stocked but fish aren't the only source of ammonia. Overfeeding is the single worst cause of problems. If you are feeding too much and the fish don't eat it all, the food will break down and form ammonia which, as you know, eventually becomes nitrate.

Also, depending on the plants you have, they could be part of the problem. A lot of places sell some beautiful plants for the aquarium but they aren't really aquatic plants so they begin to die once they are submerged. That in turn creates waste and more nitrate (eventually).

My plants leaves slowly died and new smaller leaves replaced them. I suspect that dead plants is a big source in my tank, I do trim and clean the plants but I suspect I am not trimming right and many leaves that are dying remain....I will try to adjutst.

1-40 nitrates is nothing to worry about. It's normal for there to Nitrates in a tank, but once you go over 40 it can become dangerous. Your keeping your fish fine.

I dont think I have an emergency , but if I did water changes less frequently that 1 a week then I would have a serious problem I think....

 

[funkybodal]

Your tank is fine. So long as you have fish, the nitrate level of the tank will increase over time as the fish produce waste and this waste builds up - that's why you do water changes anyway.

If the ammonia and nitrite readings are 0 then the filter is not overloaded and thus your tank is not overstocked. If you're still abit worried about the rapid increase in nitrates then try reduce the amount of food you offer slightly as has been suggested.

 

[Lynden]

Overfeeding is not the worst cause of ammonia. I accidentaly overfeed my 77 almost all the time, and its stocked with big cichlids, and my nitrites are zero. Also, nitrogen tests are prone to misreads; they ofter say that it is more than it really is.

Plants use nitrogen as food, so it shouldnt be a problem. Your tank is perfectly fine.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi newfishaddict

Are your fish doing well? When all is said and done, that's what really matters.

Your nitrate readings aren't excessive and shouldn't be any problem. The fact that they are elevated, and the ammonia and nitrite readings are not, shows that your beneficial bacteria are doing the job they are supposed to be doing.

You should always plan to do water changes weekly, whatever your nitrate readings are. This insures that you have clean and healthy water, not just a chemically correct tank. Your fish will appreciate it.

 

[modernhamlet]

I totally agree with Inchworm.

However, I will point out that a fully planted 29g with the stock you have should definitely not be producing nitrates that quickly. You're on the right track for finding the culprit: extra food or dead plant matter.

May as well get the best of both worlds: alleviate the problem and keep up the good water change schedule. You will have very happy plants and fish as a result.

Good luck!

 

[lljdma06]

I totally agree with Inchworm.

However, I will point out that a fully planted 29g with the stock you have should definitely not be producing nitrates that quickly. You're on the right track for finding the culprit: extra food or dead plant matter.

May as well get the best of both worlds: alleviate the problem and keep up the good water change schedule. You will have very happy plants and fish as a result.

Good luck!

What's your WPG? Watt Per Gallon. And what plants do you currently have in your tank? I have a planted tank and my nitrate tests usually test at zero. Heavily planted tanks often have to have their nitrates dosed, so I'm thinking that dead plant matter may be an issue.

If you have any non-aquatics, they will, over time, decompose in the aquarium, producing nitrates. Or if your plants aren't getting the nutrients and light they need, they will also decompose. 29 gallons are not the easiest tanks to light, as they are rather deep. Perhaps you are not getting enough light, especially if your only using the light that came with the tank. A 29 needs at least 60 total watts to get to little over 2WPG.

Take care, and as others have said, keep up with your good maintenance regimen.

 

[prankster705]

He's got 1.7 watts per gallon, he said it at the beginning

 

[newfishaddict]

Hi newfishaddict

Are your fish doing well? When all is said and done, that's what really matters.

Your nitrate readings aren't excessive and shouldn't be any problem. The fact that they are elevated, and the ammonia and nitrite readings are not, shows that your beneficial bacteria are doing the job they are supposed to be doing.

You should always plan to do water changes weekly, whatever your nitrate readings are. This insures that you have clean and healthy water, not just a chemically correct tank. Your fish will appreciate it.

Yes all fish seem fine....