NO2 NO3 Levels

[Williamdaros714]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if high NO2/NO3 levels are a concern or normal part of the tank cycle. There's no ammonia/chlorine, pH is perfect, temp is good. I've also been added good bacteria and some new ferns.

NO2 is 100 and NO3 is 5 but he seems happy as can be. Gills are back, he's swimming around normally and eating/pooping well. I tried many MANY water changes and it didn't affect the levels at all. Tested my purified water and its clear of both NO2/3 so that's not contributing.

Thanks everyone.

 

[wolfen]

do you mean no3 at 100ppm not no2, no3 is nitrates no2 is nitrites, any nitrites mean that the bio-logical filtration isn't large enough to cope with the nitrites.
if your nitrites are 100ppm then your axolotl would be dead from nitrite toxicoses, at 5ppm the nitrites are extremely harmful (tolerant level is 0.5ppm) unlike ammonia which causes burns nitrites are absorbed into the blood stream and stops oxygen from being absorbed, in effect poisoning it.
the tolerant levels for nitrates is 110ppm for axolotls, high nitrates have the same effect as nitrites.
chlorides ie.. sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, has been found to help prevent the absorption of nitrogen compounds and provides protection against such compounds.
methyline blue is used to treat nitrite and nitrate toxicoses.
are you testing with stick or liquid tests?
a 50% water change should reduce the nitrates to around 50ppm if not then there could be something in the tank leaching them, are you using any plant fertilisers? are you feeding any processed meats?

 

[Williamdaros714]

do you mean no3 at 100ppm not no2, no3 is nitrates no2 is nitrites, any nitrites mean that the bio-logical filtration isn't large enough to cope with the nitrites.
if your nitrites are 100ppm then your axolotl would be dead from nitrite toxicoses, at 5ppm the nitrites are extremely harmful (tolerant level is 0.5ppm) unlike ammonia which causes burns nitrites are absorbed into the blood stream and stops oxygen from being absorbed, in effect poisoning it.
the tolerant levels for nitrates is 110ppm for axolotls, high nitrates have the same effect as nitrites.
chlorides ie.. sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, has been found to help prevent the absorption of nitrogen compounds and provides protection against such compounds.
methyline blue is used to treat nitrite and nitrate toxicoses.
are you testing with stick or liquid tests?
a 50% water change should reduce the nitrates to around 50ppm if not then there could be something in the tank leaching them, are you using any plant fertilisers? are you feeding any processed meats?

Yes sorry NO3 is at 50-100. I'm using SJ aquarium test strips. I recently did an 80% water change and saw no difference. Added 3 more plants to help out. I have a brand new Fluval 207 canister filter so I'm confused as to why the levels seem so high. I'm feeding him earthworms and he eats them right away so no decomposition and I clean up his waster daily

 

[wolfen]

use liquid tests (api freshwater is the most popular) as test strips aren't very accurate. the ammonia needs to be tested (ammonia and chloride aren't the same, ammonia test strips are sold separately) the only advantage to test strips is that it gives a rough idea about kh gh.

 

[Williamdaros714]

use liquid tests (api freshwater is the most popular) as test strips aren't very accurate. the ammonia needs to be tested (ammonia and chloride aren't the same, ammonia test strips are sold separately) the only advantage to test strips is that it gives a rough idea about kh gh.

I bought separate ammonia strips and they check out at 0. I'll get a better water testing kit because he seems very happy and active. Thank you

 

[Williamdaros714]

I bought separate ammonia strips and they check out at 0. I'll get a better water testing kit because he seems very happy and active. Thank you

My axolotl Taco just chillin