Tom

I changed about 50% of my water after the nitate levels had read really high on Friday. Then I retested the water for nitates and the level was still the same. Could this be a faulty kit or am I doing something wrong? It is a hagen testing kit and Inormally got my water tested for free at the lfs. I decided to get a nitrite and nitrate testing kit and the nitrates are extremly high. I should also mention that there are no nitrites in the tanks. I'm worried. Can anyone help me?
Tom

Tom

Or did I test it too soon? And should I wait about a week or so?
Tom

atmmachine816

Keep doing daily water changes and buy some anarchis, it's a live plant. *Most members here use http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...?N=2004+113074 the green box one on the top right, pharmetucal one. *What one does your's look like?

Austin

Tom

How much should I change daily? My testing kits are made my Hagen.
Tom

atmmachine816

I'm assuming you got the freshwater one. Try changing 25% daily, somebody correct me if I'm wrong. If you can buy anarchis buy some as it helps in getting rid of nitrates. Read my article on snails if you don't want snails.

Austin

Tom

What do the anarchis look like?
Tom

atmmachine816

Tom

Thanks but its a brackish plant,
Tom

atmmachine816

No it's not a brackish plant, I have some in both my tanks right now, where'd you read/hear that?

Austin

Tom

Under its quick facts on the left.
Tom

atmmachine816

O I that just means it can be grown in brackish conditions. it's definatly fw though, it's thriving in both my tanks.

Tom

OK. What price do these plants normally cost CDN? And where can I get them from (which pestore)?
Tom

atmmachine816

I don't know since I don't live in Canada but it's a common plant and usually costs very little since it produces so fast. You can't bleach though to kill snails on it or you'l kill it.

Austin

Butterfly

Change at least 25% each day until they go down, Test teh next day before you do your water change. Both tanks are overcrowded and this could be why the Nitrates are up. for your fishes health keep doing the water changes to get them down. If you choose to leave it crowded you may have to continue to do extra water changes. a nitrate reading of 10-20 is about normal.
Anacharis is one of those plants that does well in freshwater or brackish environments.
Carol

Tom

Thanks.
Tom

Tom

If I put more plants in the tanks, would that help? If so, how many and what kind?
Tom

Gunnie

Yep, plants are a big help. Have you checked your water straight out of the tap? Sometimes your local water supply contains nitrates. If this is the case, you may want to try using Amquel Plus as your water conditioner. It will help keep the nitrates down, and if it's in your existing water supply, the Amquel plus will help keep your tank in balance.

Tom

OK, I never thought of that.
Tom