Nitrates and Fertilisers

Request information on fish, plants or other aquarium issues.
walker26
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Forgot to test tap yesterday. Looks like it has improved in 12 months. Now showing as some where between 0 and 5ppm.
I started my large tank by mixing RO and tap 3:1 so when I started the shrimp tank I just upped the RO.

I add around 5-10% tap to RO. This gives me good KH of 1-2ppm but the GH is a little low, so I add a little Equilibrium to bring it up to 3-4ppm and the TDS to around 125ppm. Might not be the usual way of doing it I know but it’s simple, works and is relatively cheap.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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plankton
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Next question (sorry) - are the shrimp caradina species? (crystal reds etc.)
If not (red cherries etc.), then they need harder water...... ;)
walker26
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plankton wrote: Fri Dec 03, 2021 8:10 am Next question (sorry) - are the shrimp caradina species? (crystal reds etc.)
If not (red cherries etc.), then they need harder water...... ;)
Yes, they are CRS, Caradina.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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plankton
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In which case it just sounds like you're adding too much fertilizer with nitrates.
walker26
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I’ve stopped adding liquid ferts for about a week now and done a couple of large water changes. I’m pretty certain the roots tabs are releasing nitrates into the water column. I’ve got a fun afternoon planned, removing a tonne of little balls from the sand. I knew I should have stuck with Flourish tabs.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
walker26
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I removed a lot of the little fertiliser balls from the substrate, I’m guessing maybe 70%. Made a right mess and bought a lot of the Fluval Stratum to the surface of the sand🤬. I then replaced about 80% of the water. I know that’s not a great idea with CRS but it was a proper mess. I’ll let it all settle for a couple of hours and check water parameters but expect them to be where they need to be.

I also added some more Hygrophila that will hopefully help with keeping the nitrates under control that are leaching from the remaining fert balls.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
LookoutTrout
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Sounds like you have your work cut out, good luck. The plants won't be a quick fix but will help balance nitrates in the long term.
walker26
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Found a dead shrimp this evening. Another is acting a bit weird but I think it may be shedding it’s shell. The other 7 are all fine and eating. Parameters tested fine.
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5
TDS 135
pH 6.8
GH 4
KH 1
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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plankton
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That may be from the water change, sorry you've lost another one. :(
walker26
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plankton wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 7:31 am That may be from the water change, sorry you've lost another one. :(
Thanks. I’m thinking and hoping you are correct. Unfortunately the large water change and removing the fert balls was the slightly better option between that and the nitrates.

The one that was moulting died as well, his shell had partially split. The others have all successfully moulted in the days before and since, so not sure why this one had issues.

I’ve removed the 2 Otos to reduce the bio load. They will be happier in the big tank as there’s a bit more algae and 8 little friends.

On the upside, the nitrates have now held at 5ppm for the last couple of days.
340 litre Aqua Oak
Fluval FX-4
Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Fluval Plant 3.0
Aquael Platinum 300W heater
4 x Angels (2 x breeding pairs)
6 x Gold Pristella Tetra
7 x Pristella Tetra
1 x Cardinal Tetra
1 x Female Rainbow Stiphodon Goby
8 x Sterbai Corys
6 x Ottocinclus
3 x Bristlenose
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