Test Results for the Following:
Ammonia Level? .25
Nitrite Level? 2-5
Nitrate level? 80-160
Ph Level, (If possible,KH and GH and chloramines)? 7.2
Ph Level out of the Tap? 7.2
Tank size (How many Gals) and How long has it been running? 55 gallons and running 7 weeks
What is the name and size of the filter/s? Whisper 60 and Marineland Penguin 350B
How often do you change the water and how much? every day 60%
How many fish in the tank and their size? 3-4.5inch 2-2inch
What kind of water additives or conditioners? AquaSafe and Aquarium salt
Any medications added to the tank? stopped adding various medications 8-9-05
Add any new fish to the tank? yesterday 2inch
What do you feed your fish? Medigold
Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt",
bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? YES,in the beginning, thats why I was using medications.
Any unusual behavior like staying
at the bottom, not eating, ect..? No.

Hi Everyone

I need help with these questions.

A: (Nitrates have been showing up since 9-3-05) Why are my Nitrates so HIGH with daily water changes of 60% or more--there are NO NITRATES in my tap water. Some days they are normal 20-40, but most days they are 80-160 :--my last water change was @ 8PM last night and the Nitrates were @ 40 then.(I did a water change because of the high Nitrites)

B: The Ammonia test has been @ .25 (using The FreshWater test kit with the drops--sorry I forgot to mention that) for 14 days now--Will it ever drop to 0?

C: And last but not least, The Nitrites--daily water changes DO NOT seem to affect the results at all Is there hope that one day those will go away too?

I am feeding Medigold-Monday will be day 21, because my poor fish have recently recovered from ICH and ANCHOR WORM and medication never helped my 4 inch Calico Oranda with his PopEye, so I was hoping the Medigold would, but so far it hasn't.

Sorry so long.
I will appreciate any responses.

Kerri

I'd think it wouldn't be too much longer till ammonia drops to 0ppm, however you added another goldie which adds more ammonia. (plus you're going to be overstocked when everyone grows up.)

So what level of salt do you have in the tank?
Are you using the 1 bottle or the two bottle ammonia test?
Are you using the AP nitrAte test? If so, are you doing all the shaking and timing it calls for?

.25ppm ammonia isn't worrisome with your pH.

Thanks for replying DataGuru



I have 2.5 teaspoons per gallon.
2 bottle ammonia test.
Yes I am doing the 30 second shaking for bottle #2 and then shaking for 60 seconds after both bottles are added.

Do you have any advice about the Nitrites and Nitrates? I figure that this is basically a waiting game, I just want to be sure I am doing things right

If indeed your nitrAte levels are that high, I'd do a couple of 50% partial water changes to bring nitrAte down under 40ppm. I'd probably keep the 2.5tsp salt per gallon in place for a couple of weeks since you added a new goldie (I'm assuming it hasn't been quarantined).