Aiko Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 so I have the API fresh water test kit all my other parameters are testing fine, so I know about the need to shake shake shake the nitrate but no matter how much water I have been removing ( 10% weekly 25% once a month) I'm at readiing between 20ppm and 40 ppm and I just did a 50% on Thursday because I treated my tank with dewormer, I have tested my tap water at it test 0 so I have no idea whats going on. I have about 20 blue dream neos and I feed them a piece of stick food like once a week I feed them a tiny bit of bacter every 3-4 days so its not over feeding well atleast I think not I remove any uneaten stick food after an hour so if anyone have any ideas how to fix this its be great also name and where to get a different nitrate test would be great. oh I'm running a sponge and a HOB filter I have carbon and purigen in my HOB filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 I don't know much about the tests or what could be giving such a high reading, what plants do you have in the tank? I do know that floating plants can help with nitrate though. Is the tank cycled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 How big is your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High5's Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Some people have reported that Bacter AE was causing nitrates to go up quickly. Once a tank is established the amount and frequency of Bacter AE can be reduced to once a week. I wouldn't worry to much about high nitrates its not that big of a deal in fresh water, salt water is a different story and you should keep them as close to zero as you can. I know some people breeding CRS/CBS in 60 to 80 ppm nitrate doesn't seem to affect the shrimps breeding or growth. If you want to get nitrates down I suggest bi weekly 10% W/C until you get it where you want it, adding more plants will help also. I'm personally am switching nitrate test kit from API to Sera, I honestly don't trust the API kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiko Posted May 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 my tank is indeed cycled I have had my tank running since jan, my tanks is a 10gal, I have some Anubias Petite (2 with 20+ leaves to they take up a pretty good space, some Vallisneria 2 larger groups a couple of mic plants I have from when I got my shrimp lol. cholla wood x2 one covered in flame moss and one with xmas moss, floating I have some frogbit around 10 floaters and hornwort. I do plan on getting some more floaters maybe some of the larger duckweed or something , so I will try reducing the bacter to once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiumanfu Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 I dose Bacter AE smidgen spoonful every other day in 10g and don't have problems with Nitrate. I assume you are following the directions regarding not just shaking, but waiting the appropriate times as well. From all your info, I would guess your test kit is bad. If you have some KNO3 you can calibrate your test kit and see if it is still accurate. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83545 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo82 Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 Have you tried checking the new water before putting it in? Could let you know if you're test is faulty if you are using ro which shouldn't have any of anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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