New Tank

[SunnyHouTX]

No sir. Water changes are the easiest way to battle high nitrates

[Chris.d514]

Water changes have not helped went so far as to do them daily and 50-75% at a time. Thought of posting a pic of one I did using ek's method I did about 80% had 2" of water left in tank.

[SunnyHouTX]

What is the reading you're getting for nitrates?

[Chris.d514]

40-80 with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites

[SunnyHouTX]

80 is on the high-ish side but 40 is not bad.

[SunnyHouTX]

Is this still a 14 gallon tank we're talking about?

[Chris.d514]

Ok the reason I was worried about it is that i had a ram died when they first spiked. It swelled up was swimming slow and died in 30 min or so.

[Chris.d514]

yes the 14.

[SunnyHouTX]

Nitrates should be around 80 when it comes time to do a WC. If nitrates are higher than that sooner, then you might have too many fish for that tank or an excessive food/nutrient situation.

[Chris.d514]

Trying to give away the painted glass tetras as feeders to free up some room.

[SunnyHouTX]

How long has it been set up now?

[Chris.d514]

Two months.

[SunnyHouTX]

I read your post about the feeder. I don't think you need to give your fish away just yet. See how the tank runs for now and see how long it takes for nitrates to go above 60 before doing anything else. Get a benchmark nitrate reading after a water change and then test daily around the time you do your water changes. Do this for a few weeks so you'll know what the schedule is for that tank. If it's something you can keep up with, them you're set. If not, then you can think if letting a few fish go.

Also, you can let fish be without food for a couple of days. Just turn out the lights and let them be. I left one if my tanks for four days without feeding this way. I did cover it up with a blanket also.

[Bedlamer]

Hey Chris. Have you ever done the nitrate test on your tap water, before it ever gets into your tank? That would be a good piece of data to have to help troubleshoot this. If you run the test on your tapwater please post it up here.

[Chris.d514]

Woke up this morning to fry swimming around my daughters tank. Not sure if they are guppy, endler or a hybrid but they have a yellow tint some in leaning guppy or hybrid. We were able to get 8 into a breeder net so far.