[Slim]

My nitrates ar at 160 ppm

What do I need to do to get them down? Answers are welcome.

Thanks for your help and kindness.

Slim

 

[Judazzz]

NitrAtes won't be broken down by any chemical process in your tank - you need to take care of that yourself, by doing water changes.
Since you have pretty high levels, start with a large one (50%), followed by a smaller one (25%) 2 days later.

btw: live plants will help bringing your nitrAtes down, but they will not replace water changes.

 

[Fido]

Yep, water change, big one. Also plants help with nitrates...

 

[Powder]

yeah thats the consensus a big water change followed by little ones lik 50% then 25% every other day or so untill you get a desired reading
enjoy your information

 

[piranhaqueen]

ditto on the water changes and plants...... is your tank overstocked????

 

[KrazyCrusader]

Big water changes are cool and everything but a huge shift in the tank water can stun or kill fish. I would take care in doing these super large 50%+ Water changes. Otherwise you might have a piranha death on your hands.

 

[huntx7]

ditto on the water changes and plants...... is your tank overstocked????

[snapback]878134[/snapback]​

According to his sig:

125 gallon- 4, 5-8 inch Reds
1 , 5 inch caribe
2 plecos
1 jack dempsey and 4 tertras

Doesn't seem like it to me, although plecos can cause that.

In one of his other posts he said he was doing water changes once a month, which would cause them to be so high. But, now he seems to be keeping better care.

Best of luck.

 

[Slim]

Do you think I should take the plecos out of my tank? One is really large and one is small. But they sh*t like crazy and everywhere.

 

[Powder]

no dont tak them out just make sure and gravel vac every water change do like 15-25% every week and you will get them under control
i had same prob a week ago and did a 40% water change and added some amquel+ and everything is fine now
just keep up on water changes and gravel vac's and you will be golden
later

 

[Slim]

sounds like a plan to me Ill do another water change tommorow. and and some amequel+. Thatnks for everyones Help. I greattly appreciate it.

 

[Supa Samoan]

no dont tak them out just make sure and gravel vac every water change do like 15-25% every week and you will get them under control
i had same prob a week ago and did a 40% water change and added some amquel+ and everything is fine now
just keep up on water changes and gravel vac's and you will be golden
later

[snapback]880575[/snapback]​

make sure you clean your substrate when you do water changes. detrious build up is a major factor in nitrate build up. because it will continue to build up and decay causing the release of more amonia ect...

 

[Slim]

What is substrate?

 

[Judazzz]

What is substrate?

[snapback]883124[/snapback]​

The stuff you use as tank bottom: sand, fertilizer soil, gravel...