High nitrates

[ToniEgan]

Hi all - I cleaned my tank yesterday I let out 15 gallons of a 30 gallon tank that was perfectly balanced. When I refilled and put the conditioner back in the nitrates were high. That doesn’t make sense to me since I cleaned half of a well balanced tank out. One of two things could have happened that I think could throw it off. First I use tapwater from public water that changes often. And two I didn’t have an extra filter to change so I just rinsed the filter that I had until I could get to the pet store. I think I may have ruined some of the natural good bacteria. In any event it’s been a full 24 hours and the nitrates are still a little high. Does anyone have any advice for me how to fix those ?

 

[wolfen]

nitrates are the end product of the nitrogen cycle ie: waste > ammonia > nitrites > nitrates > water change/plants/de-nitrifying bacteria. if you have nitrates it isn't because of a failure in the filtration. high nitrates are caused by either.. over feeding, an accumulation of waste in the tank, clogged filtration, tank to small for the bio-load, if the tap water is suspected test it before adding to tank.
check the tap water, if that is ok check around the tank and under the ornaments, if that is clear do a 50% water change and use the old water to clean all the filter media.
also you say the nitrates are high what are your levels?

 

[ToniEgan]

Thanks for the response. That’s why I’m so confused. The water was on good levels before I did the change which I do every two weeks. He’s a little guy only about 3 1/2 4 inches long and it’s a 30 gallon tank. So overfeeding or too much waste doesn’t really seem like the problem. I can’t figure out why after cleaning the nitrates would be so high. I have attached a picture below it looks like the nitrates are around 40 and the nitrates are between three and five. They were at zero before I did the water change.

 

[wolfen]

strip tests aren't very accurate, they are useful for a quick check but for an accurate test you need to use a liquid test.
with a axolotl ideal nitrate are <10ppm but they are tolerant <110ppm so they are still within safe levels.
It could be that your tap water has high nitrates <50ppm is considered safe in drinking water, provided they are below 110ppm your axie should be fine.
this page has a handy table which gives all the ideal and tolerant levels as well as other information Water Quality Explained: How It Can Affect Your Axolotl's Health - WSAVA 2015 Congress - VIN also Axolotls: The Fascinating Mexican Axolotl and the Tiger Salamander has some useful info that can help.

 

[ToniEgan]

Soooo I just did the liquid test and I’m even more confused. Nitrates seem to be ok but I tested the nitrite level and now that’s way high (it was fine yesterday) see pics below. I tested the tap water and it’s not the problem. What in the world is going in? Get an Axolotl they said…it will be easy they said…

 

[JM29]

Get an Axolotl they said…it will be easy they said…

Taking care of an axolotl is easy.
Filtration can be a real challenge ...
The problem comes from the filter, not from the axolotl

 

[ToniEgan]

I get it - just some light humor. Thinking I'm going to get some live plants to help maintain good levels. Java Moss, Java Fern and Hornwort. Thoughts?

 

[wolfen]

your tank has gone back into cycling and has lost some of the nitrifying bacteria, add some bottled bacteria, I prefer to use pond bacteria but any type/brand will do.

 

[JM29]

Hornworts are great because they are fast-gowing plants. Get a lot of them. You can also try Egeria densa.

Java moss and Java fern are pretty and useful in spite of the fact they grow more slowly.
Don't try to plant the Java fern, this plant must be fixed on a stone or a wooden piece (or let floating).

I don't know bottled bacteria and all those products sold in aqua stores (I've no filter) but I've read several times that bottled bacteria don't help cycling (are they still alive after so long in a closed bottle ?)

 

[wolfen]

Hornworts are great because they are fast-gowing plants. Get a lot of them. You can also try Egeria densa.

Java moss and Java fern are pretty and useful in spite of the fact they grow more slowly.
Don't try to plant the Java fern, this plant must be fixed on a stone or a wooden piece (or let floating).

I don't know bottled bacteria and all those products sold in aqua stores (I've no filter) but I've read several times that bottled bacteria don't help cycling (are they still alive after so long in a closed bottle ?)

I think it must be some dormant strain that they use, the ones I sometimes use pond filter start if I'm doing a filter clean, also pond sludge buster is good for getting rid of built up muck, I find they do work but nothing can perform miracles so sometime you have to get your hands dirty and apply a bit of elbow grease.