FishChannel Forums / Freshwater Emergencies / Freshwater Forums / Constant Nitrate Problem / Latest Posts

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

math-only aquarium — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:30:31 GMT

...good advice.

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

David Lass — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:10:50 GMT

Most fish can handle pretty high nitrates level, as has been mentioned. There are really two important things about nitrates. 1) What is the trend? Are they going up quickly, or have they been stable atr a fairly high level. I would only really get concerned if the nitrates are moving upward, and you can't control the levels by water changes. 2) The other problem can be when you introduce new fish into a tank that has pretty high nitrates. The fish come from the lfs where nitrates were probably pretty low, and if they go into a tank with high nitrates there can be problems -- which usually take the form of complaining to the lfs that "Your fish died." I have been suggestingv to folks that they really make sure to do a water change at least whenever (before) they add fish to their tank -- that way the new fish have a chance.

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

Bubbleboy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:49:27 GMT

Thanks MAO. But I'm not too concerned about my tap water. I will test it though. However, I live in the wilammette valley in Oregon, and I hear from quite a few we have some of the best tap around haha. But if my test yeilds harmful results, I will certainly contact them.

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

math-only aquarium — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:52:53 GMT

Another Note,

While the nitrates are certainly within the acceptable range for even most tropicals, the fact they seemed to recently spiked does raise a bit of a concern. Do you manage your tank any differently now? New type of filter? New water conditioner? Etc.? If can't pinpoint anything you've started doing differently, then my guess would be that your water source has changed in dynamics.

This is actually quite common in that a water source, despite what one might think, is never constant but, instead, constantly changing. Well water goes through cycles that can last for years involving various component changes. Additionally, city water can do the same thing and to an even greater degree. Depending on what the city decides from day to day, city water can actually switch sources as well as treatments in less than 24 hrs. If you aren't already, you may want to get on the mailing list of your local water department. They usually will send out letters to anyone who asks regarding changes.

MOA

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

jsmith11618 — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:30:49 GMT

Wont hurt to test your source water, some water sources have naturally occurring nitrates.

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

Bubbleboy — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:02:26 GMT

Thanks Princess :) I think I might hold off on the water change til tomorrow though. She might be under stress but she's certainly not showing it haha. Thanks again!

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

princessotfu — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:00:10 GMT

I was thinking only of the stress in adding that stuff to the tank, so if she's not showing effects now, I wouldn't worry about it except to stop adding it. I also had a conversation with someone once about the possible effects of a fish swallowing any of those granules, as they settle down in the rocks. So just keep an eye on her, and don't add any more. Although, a water change never hurts anything if it would make you feel better. :)

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

Bubbleboy — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:56:10 GMT

Well will the Nitraban hurt Fiona?? I really wouldn't want that! Should I change some water now to reduce the harm of the Nitraban?? btw she's a telescope eye goldfish w/ no tankmates.

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

Nikita — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:54:40 GMT

What species is Fiona? Are there any other tankmates?

Have you tried changing 30 percent of the water each time, or changing 20 percent twice a week?

RE: Constant Nitrate Problem

princessotfu — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:54:11 GMT

uh.... nitrates of 10-20ppm are just fine for a goldfish tank. In fact, I know some people who would kill to be able to keep it that low, as their's never gets below 80ppm. Your nitrates are right where there supposed to be, so don't worry about the nitraban. I've seen that gunk, and it'll do worse things for your tank than the nitrates will.

Constant Nitrate Problem

Bubbleboy — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:45:06 GMT

Alright, so this has been a problem for around a month now, maybe more.

Every week I change my fish Fionas water. I do a 20% water change and always have. However, I check my water chemistry the day after the change, and have had some surprising results. Everything is perfect. pH is 7.6, Ammonia is 0, and Nitrite is 0. But one thing that always remains a problem is the level of Nitrate in my tank. Recently, it's been hovering around 10-20 ppm. This is bad I know, but I don't know what could be causing it.

So here's what I did. I added some tetra Nitraban I had but never thought I'd have to use. It said to add 5ml (1 tsp) of medication for every 5 gallons of water. This was unusual for me since I'm not accustomed to dumping chemicals in my tank. But without any other options at the moment, I added 6 tsp of Nitraban to my 30 gal tank. That seems like a lot to me, but that's what the directions said, and I didn't want to underdose only to add more chemicals later to an unaffected tank. Stressing the fish even more.

I'll check my Nitrate levels tomorrow, and probably do a 10 to 20 % water change. I need help with this, so please post. Thanks.