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high nitrates

Discussion in 'Freshwater General Discussion' started by LemonDiscus, Mar 7, 2009.

  1. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    I just finished, I got a new Nitrate test kit today and now I understand the problems with my tanks... the Angel Breeders were at 180ppm, the Endlers, 80ppm.... about 5 hours spent today:

    75% water change on my 30 gallon Angel breeder tank
    50% water change on my 20 gallon Endler tank
    20% water change on my 125 gallon Discus tank
    85% water change on my 55 to clean out some floating silt/debris from the water

    Also cleaned about 80lbs of play sand, set up another filter on my 55 and numerous other odd and end stuff (my Leopard Geckos laid an egg so I had to set up an incubation tank as well)
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 7, 2009
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  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Woah those are not good numbers...
     
    Anthony, Mar 7, 2009
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  3. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    No... I was shocked :eek:

    That I would bet is the reason for the Angelfish problems and maybe the Endlers not breeding too :confused:

    Ooops! That is why you should NEVER not have a Nitrate test kit...

    On a positive note my Ammonia and Nitrites were 0ppm... My 125 had nice numbers though (Nitrates 25ppm)
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 7, 2009
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  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I never test my nitrates. I'm curious what mine are at. When I had to have my water tested at the pet store when my 4 ottos died the next day he said my nitrates were 0.
     
    Anthony, Mar 7, 2009
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  5. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    I usually dont test nitrates either and change 15% each week.... I was shocked!
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 7, 2009
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  6. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Well now I know why I don't test my nitrates... I don't have a nitrate test kit. :)
     
    Anthony, Mar 7, 2009
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  7. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:40 pm
    Yeah... I did til mine ran out! I got one today out of curiosity (cheap strips) and was surprised to see what I did... left me with 5 hours of work :confused:
     
    LemonDiscus, Dec 19, 2009
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  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:20 am
    Glad I'm not the only one dealing with the nitrates.
    I got Algone pads and Seachem De-nitrate and am still watching my readings closely. Next I will get a phospate test kit but both pet stores I was at today were out oddly enough.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Dec 19, 2009
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  9. stevenrox

    stevenrox New Member

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    well high nitrates are probally from you doind such a high amount of water change at one time your tank my be going through another "mini cycle". you might actually be killing your benificial bacteria by doing such a huge water change. Also strips are Cr@p lol
     
    stevenrox, Dec 19, 2009
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