high nitrates...help!

[KatieB]

Ok, I have a 55 gallon tank and just added 2 black clowns 4 days ago. I noticed yesterday that they were acting sluggish and tested the water and my nitrates are very very high, like the test tube was really dark red, off the chart. So, i changed about 40% of the water, waited 30 minutes and tested again-still high. My protein skimmer is working fine, so is my pump. I don't know what to do. What am I doing wrong?

[guinness0514]

Did you have a fish missing? Maybe something is dead in the tank?

[boxerzz]

What water are you changing from ? Tap water could have high nitrates.

[tspors]

How long has your tank been set up?

[kzickovich]

looking at your sig. line your tank has only been running a month. Your tank may be still cycling.

[cobbswindyhill]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15423027#post15423027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boxerzz
What water are you changing from ? Tap water could have high nitrates. Yes, Tap water will give you high nitrates. Use only RO/DI water for top off and water changes.

[jadeguppy]

Tank is probably still cycling and the added fish and food prolonged it. I have like fuges and cheato as nitrate uptake for a long time and recently installed an algae turf scrubber. It was very easy to build and very inexpensive. So far I like it. It isn't an instant fix, but you may want to look into it. Be forewarned through that some people will flame anyone for suggesting this.

[Guygettnby]

like everybody else said your tank may still be cycling. also it could be the test kit your using as well. i had a problem with API test kits giving me a way outa wack reading in the past. what water are you using???