madman

I have a 37 gallon with 7 live plants. This setup is new but I did use petrified wood and volcanic type rock from my other tank in it plus some of the fake plants. Also when I set it up I left some of the old gravel under the undergravel filter. I have a large aqua clear power filter as well as a powerhead on the undergravel filter. Temp is 77 degrees. PH 7.4 Ommonia 0 Nitrites 0. Now the problem Nitrates show 80. I am using a API master freshwater test kit. The house water shows 0 nitrates. The only thing I can think of is when I purchased a few of the plants the lady at the petshop sold me Fresh water plant supplement made by Kent. The directions show 1 to 3 teaspoons per 30 gallons of tank. I added 3 as the tank and the plants are new. I have 4 platys in the tank also. Any ideas?

Kayin1470

maybe get some API Nitrate down stuff.... IDK how well it works though, or if it would affect your fishies. =\ sorry.

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore.

Water changes will bring your nitrates down.

sgould

How often and how much water are you changing?

capekate

Its very possible the plant supplement raised the nitrates? Since that seems like the only thing different you have done recently. I also agree, asap water changes!

~ kate

madman

They are now down to 40 and everything else still shows 0. Did 2 partial water changes. They were about 5 or 6 gallons each time. This is the 1st time I have used so many live plants and thought maybe that had something to do with it. I just bought a 55 setup and "Boispore?" to set it up. I will add the extra to the 37 to jump start it.

capekate

HI Madman
g'evening...
well it sounds like your getting the nitrates down..BUT they are still at toxic levels and you really should do another partial change right away. I know its a pain to do all these water changes, but with those figures, its so important for the sake of your fish. Congrats on getting the 55! nice... And you bought some "bio spira" to cycle the tank right away. Good for you. Just follow the directions on the bag and make sure that you keep that stuff in the fridge, as it goes bad if not kept cold. I think its a great idea to add it to your problem tank, but do the water change first. Since you shouldnt do any water changes ( i think..) for a week after you add it. And with the levels so high, you really do need to do that water change again asap.
Good luck!

~ kate

madman

Thanks for the advise and will do another water change in the morning. Now I have a question about a heater. With the 55 a Marineland Neptune 200 Watt heater came with it. Is this a submersible? It does not say so on the box but for the life of me I can not see how this thing would mount any other way. The lip on the tank is in the way and if it is mounted per a non sub heater the would be 2 inches of air between the top of the tank and the water line. Not Cool. When I google it the only info shows on ebay and those sellers are calling it a submersible. But I would like someones opinion that has had one or has one.

capekate

HI Madman
I did some research for you. I found that the Neptune 200w heater is in fact a submersible heater. Hope this helps.

~ kate

madman

Thany you for all your help!

capekate

... your very welcome! cheers back attcha!