Very High Nitrate Readings

[ninjaginger]

I've been testing my water daily, along with small water changes.

the results are

pH 7.5 - 8
ammonia 0 - 0.6
nitrite 0.1
nitrate above 110!

after a few days the nitrate hadn't gone down. so i tested the tap water and it was above 110!

what can i do? is there a water treatment to reduce it please.

i've got no fish in it as yet just plants and bogwood.

please help

 

[ninjaginger]

please?

i've looked on the internet and found tetraqua easybalance. does this work or is there an easier way?

X

 

[iggy01]

It's possible that you may have a faulty test kit. Get your water tested at your L.F.S. or contact your water company and ask them what level of nitrate is in the tap water. It's better to have a confirmed reading, before going out and spending money on products you may not need.

Good luck!

 

[rdd1952]

First off, if you're doing a fishless cycle as it looks like you are, stay away from the additives as they will prevent the tank from cycling properly. As a matter of fact, it is best to stay away from all chemicals except for dechlorinator, fertilizers (if you have a planted tank) and any medication you may have to use from time to time. When you have a problem arise, try to find the source of the problem and solve it naturally, without chemicals.

I would take some water (both tank and tap water) to the LFS just to have them check it and make sure your readings are correct. If the tap water (is it city or well) really is that high, you probalby need a filter as that reading may even be too high for human consumption.

Your tank is still cycling but since you don't have any fish the nitrates aren't a problem. Just leave the water as is and continue to add ammonia or fish food and test the ammonia and nitrite. Since the ammonia is higher than the nitrite, I would say you haven't had the ammonia spike yet. Once the ammonia drops, the nitrite should be very high. Continue to add ammonia or fish food to raise the ammonia to about 1 ppm and just wait on the nitrite to drop. Once it goes to zero, do a big water change to get rid of the nitrate and you are ready for fish.

The only way to reduce nitrates is through water changes or adding lots of plants to use them as nutrients. No chemicals will get rid of them.

 

[newland]

I totally agree with rdd1952 on this one.

 

[ninjaginger]

I'm planning to contact my local water supplier (as they're only up the road from me) but from what i can tell i have most of the symptoms associated with high nitrate levels so i doubt it is a faulty kit.

My plants have been in there almost a month and instead of getting bigger they are getting smaller as i take off the dead bits. The water is a nasty yellowy colour and no matter how often i clean the tank it's getting overgrown by ALL types of algae.

Tank has been running/cycling properly for almost a month and a half now, but this is the first time i've got myself a test kit (student budget ).

A friend is sending me some more established plants, and a CO2 distributer to see if i can improce my plants, which in turn will improve my water.

But with nitrates above 110 still i'm thinking i'm doomed.

 

[Joviella]

There is hope.................... Where do you live?

My tap readings for nitrates come out at 70 ppm
however we manage to maintain our 12 tanks at less than 50 ppm. Some of the bigger ones require nitrate absorbers and we have tried many.......We just found that you have to try and try again to find what works with your tap water.I can tell you loads ,but I do believe that it depends on the tap water involved.