Help - Nitrites have peaked yet ammonia has not started to drop

Newman · 10-26-2009, 09:05 PM

...
you sure you mean ppm?
cuz anything above 40ppm is bad for fish.
So how then do fish survive in such planted tanks as you describe?

OrangeCones · 10-26-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyMitch

in heavily planted tanks nitrates ranging in the 200-300 ppm are VERY common. the bad smell comes from high ammonia in tanks not nitrAtes.

That is news to me. I've never had a reading over 20 for nitrates in any planted tank.

homebunnyj · 10-26-2009, 10:12 PM

In the two planted tanks I've had (granted, not a lot of experience) I had trouble keeping nitrates up to 10, even with a heavier stocking level.

MoneyMitch · 10-26-2009, 10:12 PM

on another forum im a member of there is one guy i know for sure that has nitrates sky high like this. here is the link to his aquarium. as you can see all is well.

Newman · 10-26-2009, 10:15 PM

Well I cant see that all is well with that tank...

Cuz i have to register in order to see it

Maybe he confused the readings with something else...maybe it was GH not Nitrates?

OrangeCones · 10-26-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homebunnyj

In the two planted tanks I've had (granted, not a lot of experience) I had trouble keeping nitrates up to 10, even with a heavier stocking level.

Agreed. I've been keeping planted tanks for almost 20 years, and I have to ADD a source of nitrogen on some tanks to keep nitrogen at 5ppm or higher(under that and Cyanobacteria - aka Blue-Green Algae (BGA)) gets a foothhold).

I'm curious, moneymitch, what test kit does your friend use that can measure a nitrate level that high? API Master Kit for freshwater can only show up to 160.

OrangeCones · 10-27-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyMitch

on another forum im a member of there is one guy i know for sure that has nitrates sky high like this. here is the link to his aquarium. as you can see all is well.

Even he was shot down on that forum for recommending nitrates be that high. No matter, I know what my readings are, and I know they are accurate, and I know I've never seen nitrate in any of MY planted tanks over 20 once its mature and growing well.

JRB__ · 10-27-2009, 04:58 AM

LOL!
Ok, moneymitch responded without thinking it through, we all make mistakes.

I'll definately get a nitrate kit, to be honest I've put it off because I've always had plans of buying the master kit which includes all three ammo,nitri,nitra + pH. Anyway thanks for the tip Newman.
Also guys I am reletively new to aquatic plants and having to maintain a higher level of nitrates is news to me. The morons at my LFS didn't mention anything about that or nitrogen. Just 'yeah they're really easy, nothing you have to add or do other than lots of fresh water!'. So any advice or newbie tips for plants or anything I should be aware of to do with plants would be great. Thanks-

Newman · 10-27-2009, 11:59 AM

Read the planted forum thoroughly.
search for some other forums concentrating on plants, like the planted tank forum...

OrangeCones · 10-27-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRB__

So any advice or newbie tips for plants or anything I should be aware of to do with plants would be great. Thanks-

What plants do you have? Different plants require different care.

What kind of light do you have (type and watts)?

10-26-2009, 09:05 PM	#11
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,787	... you sure you mean ppm? cuz anything above 40ppm is bad for fish. So how then do fish survive in such planted tanks as you describe? __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

10-26-2009, 10:12 PM	#13
homebunnyj Super Fish Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,299	In the two planted tanks I've had (granted, not a lot of experience) I had trouble keeping nitrates up to 10, even with a heavier stocking level. __________________ Judy Down to 3 tanks... from 7!! 29g: 3 goldfish (temporary)... thinking of convicts instead 55g: 12 glowlight tetras, 3 yoyo loaches (planning for another school of tetras, some more yoyo's, and maybe a pair of rams... any suggestions?) 2g: 3 guppies waiting for a bigger home and a few more buddies

10-26-2009, 10:12 PM	#14
MoneyMitch Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 33	on another forum im a member of there is one guy i know for sure that has nitrates sky high like this. here is the link to his aquarium. as you can see all is well. __________________ Fish keeping is easy don't over complicate it

10-26-2009, 10:15 PM	#15
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,787	Well I cant see that all is well with that tank... Cuz i have to register in order to see it Maybe he confused the readings with something else...maybe it was GH not Nitrates? __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

10-27-2009, 04:58 AM	#18
JRB__ Little Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 279	LOL! Ok, moneymitch responded without thinking it through, we all make mistakes. I'll definately get a nitrate kit, to be honest I've put it off because I've always had plans of buying the master kit which includes all three ammo,nitri,nitra + pH. Anyway thanks for the tip Newman. Also guys I am reletively new to aquatic plants and having to maintain a higher level of nitrates is news to me. The morons at my LFS didn't mention anything about that or nitrogen. Just 'yeah they're really easy, nothing you have to add or do other than lots of fresh water!'. So any advice or newbie tips for plants or anything I should be aware of to do with plants would be great. Thanks- __________________ ~ They call them fingers, but I've never seen them fing.. ~ 20 Gallon: Planted 5 Guppies 12 Neon Tetra 2 Otocinclus 5 Hockey Stick tetra Baby Blue acara 70 Gallon: Planted Cichlid Community 2 Peppermint Bristlenose 3 Clown Loach 110 Gallon: Lake Malawi Cichlid Community Banded Leporinus

10-27-2009, 11:59 AM	#19
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,787	Read the planted forum thoroughly. search for some other forums concentrating on plants, like the planted tank forum... __________________ Credit goes to Lludu