High levels of nitrate- more regular water changes?

[eloiselockyer]

Hello, I have had a young adult male axolotl (Smaug) for about a year now. Recently when testing water parameters I have found that the nitrate levels are very high (80ppm), but both nitrite and ammonia levels are at 0. I currently do a 20% water change once a week. Should I perhaps increase this to every 3 days until I can get the nitrate levels down?

 

[katbeck99]

Hello! I had a similar problem not too long ago with my axie tank. I'd recommend doing a 50% every day until the levels drop to at least 20ppm. I know it sounds like a lot, but it will be so worth it! When my nitrates were way too high, I did 2-3 50% partial water changes in one day! It was a lot of work, but my nitrates sat at about 10ppm after I had finished. Luckily, nitrates aren't as harmful as ammonia and nitrites, but they can cause damage in the long term. Good luck!