Sharkitty

My nitrates are stupid high, though everything else is great. Guy at the store, who I don't think I trust (though this sounded true enough) said the only way to reduce the nitrates is to change the water. I did 50% a few days and and will do 50% more today or tomorrow. I asked about NitraZorb, but he said that was for 20 and below, where I have a reading over 100 (maybe as high as 160).

TIA!!

Shawnie

water changes are the best for nitrates..or some live plants...what are you nitrate reading? high nitrates are usually due to overstocked tanks. over feeding, or more water changes needed...II would NOT add any chemicals to bring it down tho .goodluck!

Sharkitty

I'm overstocked for sure. Fixing that tomorrow. Thanks!

Lucy

Before bringing home your new fish do a huge water change to get the nitrates down to 5-10.

Sharkitty

How huge? Like 80% or more?

Shawnie

depends on what the nitrate reading is....50% change should cut the nitrates in half if you dont have nitrates in your tap water

Sharkitty

Right-o. Is there an amount that is too much to change at once?

agabr123

i'd never do a 100% water change if you can avoid it, 80% is pushing it but okay in an emergency, i do 50% changes on my tanks weekly

i'd test your tap water for nitrAtes just to be sure there isn't a problem on that end as well

Llama

Check the nitrate level of the water you're going to be changing it with. What you basically do when you change water is help dilute the amount of Nitrates. If the water you're going to change it with has a high amount of nitrates in it, then you're trying to put out a building with a flamethrower...

SammyJ

You may also consider some live plants. Plants will use the nitrates and keep the levels down to where you won't have to change the water as much. Plants are also a nice alternative to chemicals.

Fla_Larry

ouch with that high a level of nitrates you might also wish to bottle that stuff up and sell it at the local lawn and garden center....or use it your self, your terrestrial plants will love it.

plants ( course i am biased here) will be your best course of action, but more frequent water changes will also accomplish the task.

But as many have als posted, check your tap water, it it is a signifigant contributor of nitrates you will need to seek other methods.

Sharkitty

Looks like my NO3 levels are around 40 now. I tested the tap water, it was 0.

So do you think an 80% water change before betta arrives?

Lucy

Yep, as long as the other fish aren't in the tank. If you still have the other fish don't do more than 50%.

Sharkitty

No - my elaborate plan is to get them out, take them back, pick a betta, and let him watch me while I do an 80% just for him. I will obviously float him for awhile - I should probably put a little tank water in with him - bits at a time - so he can adjust to the pH, right? I guess I will get a live plant while I'm at it. And what about a snail? It that just more load on the tank? A housekeeper would be nice.

BTW, I love the white kitty in your fish tank. Very cute.

Lucy

Thanks, He was a lovable but ornery cat.

That should work. acclimate him slowly adding a little tank water to his water over the course of about an hour.

Not sure about the snail. I think they have a big bio-load, but you might want to do a search on the forum or see if someone else can answer that.
Your Betta might not accept a snail. Mine didn't, she attacked it right away and I had to remove him.

Sharkitty

Ha. Alright, no snail. My tank is in a window (and there is nowhere else to put it) . . . it has done great for the past two months I've had it - no algae growth at all, but I assume my cory/pleco guy might just be hard at work after the lights go out.

GouramiGirl1221

I have a snail with my betta boy and he doesn't mind it at all. It all depends on the betta...my boy is pretty laid back in the grand scheme of betta behavior, so it'll depend on how your guy acts after he gets out of the "death cup" and feeling a bit better in a cycled tank.

jdhef

If you get a live plant, you will probably get snails whether you want them or not.

IIIHawKIII

unless you get the ones in the clear plastic tubes from petsmart/petco. guaranteed snail free. but BEWARE...about 75% of what they sell aren't aquatic plants. they won't live submerged.

They do have amazon swords and anubias nanas at both places for me. saw some wisteria too. just make sure you look up some low light plants that are true aquatics. write down the Latin scientific name and then go see if they have any that match. Anubias nana was like 6 bucks. doin really well, think you have to try to kill it. swords were 4 bucks for 3.

Good luck!

agabr123

i'd definitely print pictures of the plants that you want so you can make sure that you're actually getting what you ask for