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Ammonia:0.1
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:110
pH (and do they use any adjusters):7.8
Temp:78 degrees

Stock Listanda Cories X4, Black Skirt Tetras X4, Pinapple Sword mollies X2, bolivian Rams X2, CAE X2, guppy X1, Barbs X6, bristlenose Pleco X1, Skunk Loach X1, Phantom Tetras X2
Tank Size:35 Gallon
Water change schedule and % changed: 20% once a week

Has a Aquaclear 110(Largest filter AQ has) + Fluval internal Filter

But my Nitrates are way too high, i did a 5 gallon water change last night and these are the figures 24hrs later. How can i drop the nitrates?

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Just to add to that the tank has been in place for over 1 year also

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Ok after some advice from the chat room i performed a 20% water change.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

What are your parameters after the 20% change?

My first thought is to bump up to a 30% water change and reduce your stock some. CAE can get rather large are they full size yet? What kind of barbs are you keeping?

I would rehouse the guppy because he is all alone and you don't need to add more and create a population boom.
Rehouse both CAE. They get too big for a 35 gallon tank and the bristlenose should be able to keep the algae down to a minimum. These are my first thoughts. After you tell us what kind of barbs you have I will be able to add more.

Oh, one more question; do you vaccum your gravel when you do your water changes?

Oh! Sorry how rude of me! Welcome to FishProfiles!


"Talk is cheap. Action can be almost as affordable"

Hi,
Welcome to Fish Profiles!

The problem you have is a common one. First, recall that
nitrate is the final stage of the Nitrogen Cycle. This
results as the bacteria breaks down the fish waste, excess
food, and dying plant material. In heavily planted
tanks we try to maintain our nitrate readings around 10.
Nitrate readings of 40+ indicate the need for
regular aquarium maintenance and generally indicate
excessive bio load (too many fish), and over feeding.
Tanks that are 100+ generally also have a lower pH as
the water turns acidic from the organic acids resulting
from the breakdown of the organic compounds. This is
called the OLD TANK SYNDROME.

http://www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html

To turn the situation around, you will need to do frequent
water changes, and at the same time vacuum the gravel.
Mentally divide the non-planted portions of your tank into
four sections and each week vacuum a different section
right down to the glass bottom. Use a siphon like the
Python brand. It will clean the gravel of the detritus
that has settled into the spaces between and on the
individual gravel grains. By vacuuming the gravel in
sections, you allow each section three weeks to recover
before you clean it again.

Roll up your sleeves and get to work. The problem will
be resolved in no time.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thankyou all for your advice. The nitrate levels had dissapeared after a watercheck about 15 mins after the change. I will do another check when i get home tonight in about 7 hrs or so. Also I have 2 gold barbs and 4 cherry barbs. The SAE's are still in a very young stage they are maybe an inch to and inch & half long.

Also yes i do vacum my gravel down to the glass bottom but i have been doing all the areas of the tank i could get to. But after last night and your advice I am going to split it up. Below is my new water change schedule.

Week 1 - Change 10% water, Vacum front left side of tank.
Week 2 - Change 10% water, Vacum back left side of tank, Clean AQ 110 Filter
Week 3 - Change 10% Water, Vacum front right tank
Week 4 - Change 10% water, Vacum back right, Clean Fluval interal Filter.

Let me know what you think

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

I just did another water test and less than 24hrs after the Nitrates are about 5-10 ppm

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html