Richard Dowling
Member
Hi All,
Ive made quite a few changes to my aquarium in the last month including lighting upgrade, plant increases, Introduction of EI etc.
I have tested the water twice this week with my 6 in 1 test strips and the Nitrates are showing as on or near 100mg/l. After the first test about 4 days ago I did a 50% water change (I do 50% weekly usually) and then another 35% today including a filter clean and the Nitrates are still up near the 100mg/l mark.
An issue may be that there is a gap between 60-100mg/l so the test may not be accurate, especially if the colour isn't spot on. However the fact that the strip is turning pink would suggest there is too much Nitrate regardless of whether its 60 or 100.
I dont know what else to do, surely I shouldnt have to increase my water changes. Could it be the sand substrate as it cant be vac'd like gravel? I went on holiday 5 weeks ago for 2 weeks and my Father inlaw over fed my fish and there was a huge algae bloom. Ive pretty much cleared that up now apart from patches of algae in the sand which I cant get rid of. I am replacing my substrate with something a little more plant friendly soon so if it is the sand it wont be a problem for long.
Tank: 81x36x50 (125l)
Lighting: 2x18W T8 & 2x28W T5 - 8 Hours a Day
Filtration: Tetratec EX1200
Fertilizer: EI - Macro 3x Weekly, Micro 3x Weekly *
Co2: Nutrafin Natural Plant System 1bps
Water Changes: 50% Weekly
Ive made quite a few changes to my aquarium in the last month including lighting upgrade, plant increases, Introduction of EI etc.
I have tested the water twice this week with my 6 in 1 test strips and the Nitrates are showing as on or near 100mg/l. After the first test about 4 days ago I did a 50% water change (I do 50% weekly usually) and then another 35% today including a filter clean and the Nitrates are still up near the 100mg/l mark.
An issue may be that there is a gap between 60-100mg/l so the test may not be accurate, especially if the colour isn't spot on. However the fact that the strip is turning pink would suggest there is too much Nitrate regardless of whether its 60 or 100.
I dont know what else to do, surely I shouldnt have to increase my water changes. Could it be the sand substrate as it cant be vac'd like gravel? I went on holiday 5 weeks ago for 2 weeks and my Father inlaw over fed my fish and there was a huge algae bloom. Ive pretty much cleared that up now apart from patches of algae in the sand which I cant get rid of. I am replacing my substrate with something a little more plant friendly soon so if it is the sand it wont be a problem for long.
Tank: 81x36x50 (125l)
Lighting: 2x18W T8 & 2x28W T5 - 8 Hours a Day
Filtration: Tetratec EX1200
Fertilizer: EI - Macro 3x Weekly, Micro 3x Weekly *
Co2: Nutrafin Natural Plant System 1bps
Water Changes: 50% Weekly