Water Concerns

[Ob1]

Had tank now for two weeks. Have been conducting daily tests and am happy to note nitrites and ammonia are in control (ie scoring 0). However, do note that phosphate is continually high (at 5 mg/L) and nitrates (although noted not toxic) are at 50.00 mg/L. I have reviewed my tap water and note that phosphates score high also at 5mg/L and Nitrate at 20.00 mg/L.

Has anyone else experienced this? It would appear that I have to conduct a water change on a daily basis - as I did conduct a water change two days ago and the test after this showed Nitrate at 5.00 mg/L, yet the next day a further test showed that Nitrate was back up to 50.00 mg/L.

Is phosphate a problem for the fish? Any ideas on reducing this?

Recently also have added a dechlorinator and I do think this has helped - as I never thought about chlorine issues when I first had the tank. I recently lost 3 longstanding Rasboras and also the 3 new rasboras I introduced.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Phosphates will become an issue when your tank suddenly becomes an algae haven. High phosphate levels will probably lead to an algae problem sooner or later. I have tapwater that contains 2.5 mg/l of phosphates. There are three main methods of deaing with this. Firstly use fast growing live plants in your tank. They will out compete the algae for the nutrients in the water. They will also help control nitrates to a certain extent. After a few days my phosphate levels are undetectable with my test kit. Secondly you could buy some phosphate removing resin. I tried this and it did work but is expensive in the long run. Finally you could use RO water when you change water. Using a mix of tap and RO water will dilute the excess nutrients. Never use neat RO water as it is too pure and can cause problems with pH and does not contain trace elements crucial for your fish.
Phosphates are not (as far as I know) dangerous to your fish, they will just make the tank look aweful if algae takes control.
A rapidly rising nitrate level is a good indication of overstocking or/and overfeeding. Just make sure none of the above apply to you.

Hope that helps,

WK

 

[Kossy]

Yes live plants will help. If you like add snails. (You will probably get them from plants anyways). If you don't have bottom dwellers you can add a species like the cory to get rid of any uneaten food.

 

[adrian]

Hi
hope someone can help with this
I've been keeping tropical fish for about 14years now and have this strange problem that i can not seem to solve, it is this
Can not lower the Phosphate level - currently at 5.00+ mg/l
can not lower the No3 - currently at 140 ppm
No2 is 0
Ph is 7.4
Nh3 / Nh4 is 0

Planted with amazon swords , only 10 medium fish in a 30 Gal (96 liters aprox) Tank
External filter 9 Fluval 204 - carbon filter , heavy & light particle filter & Green away (for removal of Phosphate/Nitrate) , Light is on for about 7 hours a day

Regular 20% water changes - twice per week

Tap water treated (contains trace phophates, so now i have switched to spring water(local spring - and it tested good on ALL usual tests) with Tetra Aqua Safe )

any ideas?