Nitrates satyin on 20

[Ricky1066]

Hello Today is week 3 of my tank Everything is and has been that way except nitrates they border between 15and 20 for over a week.

I have 1 clown and 1 flaming angel along with 5 turbo snails .
being that it is only week 3 should I do a water change or let it go?

[rbursek]

waater change and what are you using for nitrate test?Bob

[kau_cinta_ku]

has it been set up for 3 weeks or is this 3 weeks after the tank cycled?

[Ricky1066]

3 weeks total and I am using those little droppers bottles Adi or adp Not home now so not sure.

See my confusion is I was told not to do awater change by some and then to go ahead by soem So what is the majority and how much on a 75 gallon?

Thanks

[currentking]

20 nitrates are not too bad. I would not do a water change yet. Wait it out and if they dont go down after a week a couple weeks then do a water change

[dileggi]

Originally posted by Ricky1066
3 weeks total and I am using those little droppers bottles Adi or adp Not home now so not sure.

See my confusion is I was told not to do awater change by some and then to go ahead by soem So what is the majority and how much on a 75 gallon?

Thanks

Do you mean API for test kits?

If it's only been running for 3 weeks, normally, I would suggest not doing a water change since the tank is cycling and this could pro-long your cycle.

But, you really shouldn't have any fish or anything in there if the tank has not completely cycled. But, since you've stocked it already, I would assume that it's OK to change the water....10% weekly. That is just IMO to keep the nitrates from spiking any higher and possibly stressing the livestock more than they may already be since they're in there during the cycle.


Let's see what the majority and more experienced say.

[MTB]

Where are your ammonia and nitrite levels? If they are at zero you should be ok to change 10-20% a month. I wouldn't change more than that for the first few months IMHO.

[Ricky1066]

Thanks Everything is zero and has been amonia wnt to 10 and back down wo weeks ago

I have been being nice and feeding the fish twice a day but have been told to stop that could be cause of nitrate

I see them pecking at the rocks and think they are hungry

[jehudson]

Originally posted by Ricky1066
.
See my confusion is I was told not to do awater change by some and then to go ahead by soem So what is the majority and how much on a 75 gallon?

IME with no fish or inverts, don't change water until cycle is complete. Because you've got fish in there you need to change the water to keep nitrates below 40ppm (20 is better, under 10 is best). Keep an eye on the nitrates and if you're fish begin breathing really fast, that's a sign that they're under stress. You'll need to reduce the nitrates and the only way to do that quickly is with a water change.

I feed my fish once a day as much as they can eat in a minute. All my fish are fat and happy. They are pigs and will eat as much as you let them.

The best advice I've gotten from anyone is to progress very slowly and add livestock a little at a time.

[dileggi]

Hey Ricky1066, another quick question on your nitrates, since I had this problem as well...do you have any bio media in your filtration? Like bio balls or bio wheel?

I was having a problem dropping my nitrates as well. When I removed my bio balls, they started dropping.

[Ricky1066]

No I actually just bpought the wet dry tank and from advice here gutted it and now only have a piece of chaeto in there nothing else .

Iknwo I have a habit of feeding the fish too much I mean they eat it but I feed them twice a day.

I am also using tap water for now I have not gotten a ro/di unit yet but that should not cause that .If I go home tonight and do a water change should I mix the water and salt I know But should I let it sit or just put it right inthe sump?

[dileggi]

The tap water can absolutely cause nitrates. Have you tested your tap water for nitrates? My tap was running 15-20, I believe.

[Ricky1066]

I willgo home tonight and test it But if that is the issue then No sense in doing a change the fish actually swim great now ..I had the one clown and he did nothing so I added the Flaming angel and they seem to swim like little buddies now.

I wanted to add a Yellow tsang next but nt hearing good things about them in a 75 gallon . Looking for nice colorful fish

[dileggi]

Originally posted by Ricky1066
I willgo home tonight and test it But if that is the issue then No sense in doing a change the fish actually swim great now ..I had the one clown and he did nothing so I added the Flaming angel and they seem to swim like little buddies now.

I wanted to add a Yellow tsang next but nt hearing good things about them in a 75 gallon . Looking for nice colorful fish

I would definitely go home and test the water from the tap. Even if it registers nitrates, I would still do a change to at least get the clean fresh water in there...it certainly can't hurt.

[epstein]

Go To Walmart and Buy distilled water .......they sell it by the gallon ...its like .67 cents