Aquarium High Nitrate and Nitrite but ammonia is low?
I have a twenty gallon aquarium with 6 different African Cichlids 1 pleclo and 2 silver tipped sharks . The tank has been up for 7 weeks. I am getting high Nitrate and Nitrite readings but the ammonia is reading zero. I went to the LFS and they told me to buy Prime because the ammoinia was a little high 2 weeks ago. I was just wondering what I can do for the high Nitrates and Nitrites.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:48 am
cut down feedings and do a water change
the nitrits should also be at 0 so I am guessing your over cleaning your tank causeing it to have to keep cycleing
try not cleaning the gravel for the next 2 months I can garentee your readings stop being all over the place
July 31st, 2010 at 6:46 am
Water changes. I do water changes 25% every week and my tank is extremely understocked, and yours is overstocked. You should get at least a 55 for all of those fish and that would probablt be pushing it.
Hope I helped
=]
July 31st, 2010 at 9:41 am
This is happening because you tank is in the final stages of cycling. The nitrate and nitrite levels should fall off in about a week. If they don’t then do a 25% water change.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
The filter is not quite cycled yet.
Best thing to do is to change some water. This is the best way to control nitrate, and will be a short term fix for the nitrite problem too. The nitrite should drop as the filters cycle establishes fully.
Once the ammonia and nitrite drop to zero then your filter is working properly. Then just watch the Nitrate levels to work out how often / much water you need to change.Dont be afraid to make large partial changes if needed.
Just use the Prime to treat the new water (neutralise any chlorine) and give your fish plenty of fresh water.
Ian
July 31st, 2010 at 2:55 pm
The tank is obviously either cycling initially, or something happened to break the cycle and it is re-establishing.
The only way to properly manage a tank like this is through water changes to control Ammonia (but you’re OK there) and Nitrite levels.
Throwing chemicals at it is not a solution. Seriously. You may end up doing daily water changes to keep it in safe levels. If that’s what it takes, thats what you do. It can be a pain, but it can also be a lot worse….. trust me. I’ve been there…..
Prime is great for conditioning tap water and making it safe, but that is all it should be used for.