Issues with my levels

WINTER00 · 12/23/2013, 02:29 AM

I have a 10 gallon tank with a GSP, and rainbow shark. its been set up for about 2 and a half months now. My nitrite and nitrate were always where they were supposed to be. However theyve recently be gradually getting higher and higher. I do about a 30-40 percent water change once a week.

This week before my water change everything was at:
pH-7.4
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-2.0
Nitrate-10

After 50 percent water change:
pH-7.4
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-2.0
Nitrate-80

Whats going on?!

For water treatment im using Kordon AmQuel Plus ammonia detoxifier and API stress coat +. Aqua clear ammonia remover and fluval biomax. And Running a FLUVAL U2 and a AQUATECH for a 5-15 gallon tank.

Crusinjimbo · 12/23/2013, 05:49 AM

Which test kits are you using? Rainbow shark is a freshwater fish and need a much larger tank, I believe. Did you successfully complete a cycle? Start with verifying test kit results.

Sonyardo · 12/23/2013, 05:57 AM

What are you referring to as a GSP?

WINTER00 · 12/24/2013, 01:56 AM

I'm using the API saltwater test kit.

And a GSP is a green spotted puffer.

Braver69 · 12/24/2013, 02:22 AM

Rainbow shark is a freshwater fish. Are you sure thats what you have? The green spotted puffer should be in a much larger tank, at least three times the size of your tank. They may not be a big fish but they are very messy eaters. This is why you are having trouble controlling the wastes in your tank. The GSP is so messy that you will have insufficient bacteria to keep nitrate under control. My advice is to get a larger tank for them, and more live rock, that should help to keep nitrates from sky rocketing on you.

12/23/2013, 02:29 AM	#1
WINTER00 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2	Issues with my levels I have a 10 gallon tank with a GSP, and rainbow shark. its been set up for about 2 and a half months now. My nitrite and nitrate were always where they were supposed to be. However theyve recently be gradually getting higher and higher. I do about a 30-40 percent water change once a week. This week before my water change everything was at: pH-7.4 Ammonia-0 Nitrite-2.0 Nitrate-10 After 50 percent water change: pH-7.4 Ammonia-0 Nitrite-2.0 Nitrate-80 Whats going on?! For water treatment im using Kordon AmQuel Plus ammonia detoxifier and API stress coat +. Aqua clear ammonia remover and fluval biomax. And Running a FLUVAL U2 and a AQUATECH for a 5-15 gallon tank.

12/23/2013, 05:49 AM	#2
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Which test kits are you using? Rainbow shark is a freshwater fish and need a much larger tank, I believe. Did you successfully complete a cycle? Start with verifying test kit results. __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

12/23/2013, 05:57 AM	#3
Sonyardo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: OC California Posts: 522	What are you referring to as a GSP?

12/24/2013, 01:56 AM	#4
WINTER00 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2	I'm using the API saltwater test kit. And a GSP is a green spotted puffer.

12/24/2013, 02:22 AM	#5
Braver69 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 106	Rainbow shark is a freshwater fish. Are you sure thats what you have? The green spotted puffer should be in a much larger tank, at least three times the size of your tank. They may not be a big fish but they are very messy eaters. This is why you are having trouble controlling the wastes in your tank. The GSP is so messy that you will have insufficient bacteria to keep nitrate under control. My advice is to get a larger tank for them, and more live rock, that should help to keep nitrates from sky rocketing on you.