Having Issues With Nitrates

Ok - so I did a 25% wc this past Friday (June 8th) and all is good, however the nitrates keep creeping up. Ammonia, Nitrites all good at 0 but Nitrates are now .50ppm.

Should I do another wc or simply add some prime to the tank?

It is important to note we have chloramines in our tap water so triple the dose of prime is added to the new water at every wc.

Basic Info:
5 Gallon tank w/1 Beta
filter, heater, marimo balls, anubias plant

 

I’d just let the tank cycle. Don’t do another water change. Let the beneficial bacteria grow and it will take care of the nitrates on its own.

 

ok thanks!!

 

I’d just let the tank cycle. Don’t do another water change. Let the beneficial bacteria grow and it will take care of the nitrates on its own.

Unfortunately, there isn't really a bacteria that breaks down nitrates (at least for FW); nitrates must be removed through water changes. His tank already seems cycled (ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate)

However, check your tap for any ammonia or nitrate that may already be present that could be adding additional nitrate to the tank inadvertently. Additionally, make sure you vacuum your substrate for any additional organics. While 50ppm isn’t too bad as long you keep up maintenance, it can build up if you miss a week. Try using terrestrial plants such as pothos to help reduce nitrates as well.

 

Unfortunately, there isn't really a bacteria that breaks down nitrates (at least for FW); nitrates must be removed through water changes. His tank already seems cycled (ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate)

However, check your tap for any ammonia or nitrate that may already be present that could be adding additional nitrate to the tank inadvertently. Additionally, make sure you vacuum your substrate for any additional organics. While 50ppm isn’t too bad as long you keep up maintenance, it can build up if you miss a week. Try using terrestrial plants such as pothos to help reduce nitrates as well.

My bad. I mixed up nitrates with nitrites. Yes, I agree.

 

Nitrates are the end product of the nitrogen cycle. So since fish are constantly releasing ammonia into the water, (in a cycled tank) that steady stream of ammonia is constantly being converted into a steady stream of nitrites and that steady steam of nitrites is being converted into a steady stream of nitrates. But since there is no bacteria to convert the nitrates into anything, the nitrate levels just build up. So to keep the nitrates at a preferred safe level of under 20ppm, you perform weekly partial water changes. So what you are experiencing is normal.

BTW, what test kit are you using that tests nitrates all the way down to .50ppm? Are you sure you are not confusing nitrates with nitrites? If so, that's a whole different answer.

 

I’d just let the tank cycle. Don’t do another water change. Let the beneficial bacteria grow and it will take care of the nitrates on its own.

0,0,50 is already cycled. I think you are confusing nitrates with nitrites. The only way to lower nitrates is water changes. Live plants well eat some of them but the tank would have to be heavily planted to make a dent in nitrates that high if they are at 50. I think though that the OP actually meant 5.0 so she is good..

Iris18 It isn't going to do hurt anything to do back to back water changes to get those nitrates down. You should try to get them down as close as you can to 20. If they go right back up you may have to do your water changes more often. Most recommend once a week but that is just a ballpark number of days.

 

I've heard different things, but I recommend you keep nitrates under 40ppm. Nitrates are less toxic than ammonia or nitrite, so don't freak out! I don't think Prime will help with nitrates (especially if you already triple the dose), but weekly or biweekly water changes will keep it under control. Also (to clarify) is it 0.50ppm or 50ppm?(In OP's original post it has a period before 50 so...)

 

.50 nitrates? how can you even read that lol.

 

.50 nitrates? how can you even read that lol.

Amazing what a difference that tiny dot can make

 

If you're getting Nitrates that high you are also very likely over feeding your fish. His tummy is the size of his eye ball. That's ALL he needs in a day. One pellet (or bit of worm, or what ever). In fact you can even feed him that every other day and he'll still be okay.

Also if you can keep the anubus alive, I'd recommend more plants, they are hands down the best Nitrate filter you can get in your tank, and the Bettas love them.

Crypts, Java Fern and Vals are easy to keep, grow in low light and are nice and tall for him to swim and roost in. Also Java Moss is a good absorber of nitrate as long as you have something to attach it to.

 

Yikes I can't believe I put the decimal in the wrong place. I am so sorry. The nitrates read at least 5.0 ppm. I use the API freshwater master test kit. I am very careful with not overfeeding and generally feed him 1x/day alternating pellet and live food. I will check the nitrates in the water when doing a wc. Thank you for all the advice!!

Also given all the feedback, I would assume the 5.0 ppm is a pretty good number? Is there a normal range that I should feel comfortable with given all the other parameters are good?

 

Iris18 , I feel like you didn't read my previous post in this thread, and it hurts my feelings.

As I mentioned previously, you want to keep nitrates under 20ppm at all times. But with a single betta, you should be able to keep them under 10ppm.

 

Sorry jdhef. I did read your post (I promise ) just trying to respond to multiple questions and of course still learning so much here on this forum. Thank you to everyone!! I know my little guy is alive because of this forum!

 

Yikes I can't believe I put the decimal in the wrong place. I am so sorry. The nitrates read at least 5.0 ppm. I use the API freshwater master test kit. I am very careful with not overfeeding and generally feed him 1x/day alternating pellet and live food. I will check the nitrates in the water when doing a wc. Thank you for all the advice!!

Also given all the feedback, I would assume the 5.0 ppm is a pretty good number? Is there a normal range that I should feel comfortable with given all the other parameters are good?

5.0 ppm is what most of us dream about. You're doing fine

 

Sorry jdhef. I did read your post (I promise ) just trying to respond to multiple questions and of course still learning so much here on this forum. Thank you to everyone!! I know my little guy is alive because of this forum!

Hopefully you realized I was just teasing you, and my feelings weren't really hurt.

 

of course jdhef! and yeah!!!! I'm so happy I'm maybe finally getting this water chemistry thing down and my tank may be cycled!!!

 

Ok - so I did a 25% wc this past Friday (June 8th) and all is good, however the nitrates keep creeping up. Ammonia, Nitrites all good at 0 but Nitrates are now .50ppm.

Should I do another wc or simply add some prime to the tank?

It is important to note we have chloramines in our tap water so triple the dose of prime is added to the new water at every wc.

Basic Info:
5 Gallon tank w/1 Beta
filter, heater, marimo balls, anubias plant

I think it would be safe to stop adding a triple dose of prime. I would just be adding it to the water you are replacing when doing a water change now that your tank has completed its cycle. As long as you keep your nitrates below 20 there is no need to be dosing the tank daily now.

Since Prime instantly detoxifies the chlorine/chloramines and once detoxified they don't come back you don't need to add it to anything other than the water you are replacing.