How to REMOVE NITRATES from your Aquarium. 3 steps to Balance Nitrate levels in your Aquarium

Hey folks, in this video I will answer another subscriber comment and let you guys see how I keep my Nitrates under control. Don't forget to hit that link down below to get your very own My Aquarium Box. Remember folks, this box is made for fish keepers by fish keepers so we know exactly what you're going to love.
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[@gravitatingawaytv]

if you were "baked" or not, I still say you hit it home on this one..thank you for helping me relax and not panic

[@MASSAquariums]

Glad I can chill you out dude.

[@murphdawgswizzle]

your videos have seriously helped me so much in my freshwater tank adventure, and made my entire experience so much more enjoyable, and so much less frustrating. thank you so much!!!

[@MASSAquariums]

You’re welcome. I appreciate the support 🐟👊🏼

[@reneap9049]

Thank you! I was doing my water changes, fully planted my tank, and still had problems. The filter was my missing link! Never thought much about it, cleaned the sponge and replaced carbon every other to third water change. I now see that it needs more maintenance than I was devoting to it.

[@MASSAquariums]

Good job. Now you know. 🐟👍🏻

[@quki3]

I’m new to aquariums and have started a 5 gallon planted tank with 10 male endler livebearer and tiny shrimp-I purchased 30 but only see 4-8 .. my question what else is there to do with the filters? I just watched a video that said to add a used unwashed filter and the beneficial bacteria will eliminate nitrates and nitrites this video says to ass new filters. Another said never change filters on water change days. I’m confused !

[@chloemarion7242]

I always have a hard time finding good info for what levels my nitrates should be at. Just recently I had a spike (I added lots of plants) and the reassurance that my water changes will help/fix them was super helpful!

[@MASSAquariums]

👍🏻👍🏻🐟🌱

[@sandraragole2411]

👉👈🙆‍♀️ Chloe 🤔. Question.. Betta Flow🐠 isn't past 3 days. Traveling 1 hr today Petsmart but wunder if your tank & plants working. Morning from sunny Northern California. 🙆‍♀️

[@sparkyjones560]

Test the water out of the tap. A whole lot of times if you have high nitrates and seems like you can't do anything about it, its coming from the water supply and not your tank. If its the water supply then doesn't matter what you are doing to knock it down,, you are going to have high nitrates with every water change.

[@MRTIGG3R86]

fell asleep waiting for you to get to the point.... most people already know its bad for their fish so just get to what the title says. for anyone who wants to know skip to 4 mins and 40 seconds.

[@MASSAquariums]

Word

[@heatherlomax1001]

THANK YOU

[@Dawgz15]

They do this to earn money. Length of video apparently is good for revenue. But ya boring AF.

[@tjboardman]

Cheers

[@Mythili9989]

Call me

[@John-zp7xr]

thank you for this video. For the longest time I suspected that my hunch that moderate water changes, and clean filters is the way to go.

[@MASSAquariums]

Awesome

[@isabellegrant7]

Thank you for this helpful video I've recently taken over my dads 52.8 gallon fish tank as he passed away suddenly so I'm a complete newbie, I started by giving the gravel a proper clean and scraping the algae off the glass I then changed filters and did a large water change (his tank was almost green before I started) you can now enjoy a lovely clear watered fish tank and have purchased few shrimp and pleccies to help maintain the algae so far I've managed to get all the water levels perfect except no3 which is off the charts, my guppies and mollies are still breeding and the other fish seem to be happy but just can't get n°3 to be an acceptable level so this is really helpful thank you

[@MASSAquariums]

Sorry for your loss. That must be very tough. Happy to hear your fish tank is doing better

[@RickyKenerlyCichlids]

Just mentioning water changes in a video probably made many people think about doing one! I am happy the direction you are taking your hobby! Tank On!

[@MASSAquariums]

Tank on Ricky

[@NYCityCichlids]

I have to agree on this video Mike. Maintenance is key.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep. Sure is

[@Kkarolz29]

Also, for any newbies listening, make sure that if you clean your floss/sponge media from your canister filters, always rinse them in the dirty tank water that you removed, and not in water from the tap/sink.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes exactly

[@carlyholmes3604]

thank you for the info i use a sponge filter ive just done a 50% water change my level are a little high

[@MASSAquariums]

You’re welcome

[@AST_53]

After 5 years he still answers his comments what a legend

[@FishBehindGlass]

Great vid. Spot on philosophy. Big water changes (the 75%-90% type) can cause havoc with bacteria on the glass. Since it typically grows from the substrate up. No tank has 0 ppm nitrate, 0ppm ammonia or 0 ppm nitrite. That's what these beneficial bacteria consume. It's about the balance my brethren.

[@MASSAquariums]

Roger that brosephina

[@bearybored6428]

So helpful! I've owned tanks for years and worked from a 10 gallon to a 55 gallon, recently nitrates have been harder to manage and i wasn't sure what i was doing was correct. Thankfully after watching this I feel much more confident with managing my nitrates.

[@MASSAquariums]

Awesome. Glad the video helped you out

[@Aquaticangels]

I do 30% once a month . Big tanks with minimal fish is the way to go

[@rolltide9173]

Mike.....I’ve been lurking all over KZbin fish, planted aquarium and product review vids for about a year now. I rarely post anywhere. Gotta say....I like your vids most. Great stuff and love your casualness. Keep it up.

[@MASSAquariums]

Thank you. I appreciate it

[@markecgazda3880]

Thank you for advice!! Few days ago I changed water weekly 1/3 and yesterday I checked my filter it was already dirty although I washed it (in aquarium water) and today I checked parametres I have little bit no2 and no3 in my tank and I noticed small group of ballon on surface around cables or filter but now I dont see them I added bacterial started and tomorrow will change water about 1/4

[@KayShwizzley]

25% every other week thats what i used to do and plan to do on my new tank. I will keep an eye on it to see if i need to do it more often but i agree with you, if u do huge water changes it can throw it out of wack. Plus i got a planted tank so that helps alot.

[@MASSAquariums]

True true. Keep at it

[@sparkyjones560]

A pH shift from too much of a water change is far worse for the fish than a rise in nitrates that happened over time.

[@MikeV607]

Great points including water changes, plants, and filter maintenance....but I think you omitted gravel vacuuming in the fish only tank or tank with few rooted plants as the gravel can become a 'nitrate factory'. (Actually, fine gravel or sand is a much better substrate so 'gunk' doesn't get down under. I prefer silica [pool filter] sand.). Also, although not as popular these days, undergravel filters can be very bad. Also, you might encourage viewers to test their source water for nitrates. It is not uncommon in agricultural areas to have high nitrates in source (especially well) water. (I have to filter my water through denitrate resin before using for water changes!) A final tip: Feed high quality fish food as it will result in less fish waste (and less fish waste can result in lower nitrates). Many fish foods use fishmeal and copious amounts of grain starch as filler/binder. Fish can't process grains and it just passes through as excess waste.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Mike Vormwald 👍🏻🐟👊🏼

[@lalalajuice]

Hey, Im new to fishkeeping, which foods are high quality? I have frozen foods, and am going to breed brine shrimp. But at the moment im feeding them tetramin flakes and tetramin baby. But i put the food in a cup of water for 10-20 min first before i feed it to my fish, cause i read that it's best to do so.

[@FlipThatCardKez]

I do 10% water change every week works great so I agree with you man when I do big ones my parameters go out

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep

[@thomastensiethof2142]

mass just 1 week away from getting a 350 liyer tank thanks for all the advise you have given me for starting a big tank

[@MASSAquariums]

No problem. Have fun. You'll love it

[@thomastensiethof2142]

+MASS Aquariums i am sure i will have fun

[@plcc07777]

I have a beautiful planted 5 gal. Fluval nano. 4 small goldfish, 2 Cory cats, and 5 ghost shrimp I clean the filter once per month. I never vacuum the gravel. I do 20% water changes twice per week and I have had absolutely no problems with it.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Hornet Oliver good job. That's a lot of fish for a 5 gallon

[@plcc07777]

The "goldfish" were actually small feeder fish that I introduced to my tank during the initial cycling process. They are now approximately 1 inch long. I will probably be removing them soon, but they appear to be happy.

[@Cccaleb09]

LOL, when he said piss.(and had a straight face)

[@MASSAquariums]

😁

[@Lewisloui]

"faeces and piss" xD avoids saying shit then says piss, made me laugh aswell

[@irecruitfish7410]

nice good point about as many fish as you want in a tank as long as you maintain it and have the beneficial bacteria to handle it.

[@MASSAquariums]

👍

[@MsArtemis01]

I started taking your advice in doing a 20% water change every week and my tank seems to be okay with the balance. My tank looks nice, clear and beautiful. Although right now going through an ick issue, had to take out my carbon filters, which makes the water not so great. However, I'm learning a lot about my canister filter. Sometimes a mistake can become a great learning experience. I heard youtubers say don't touch your canister until you see your tank look unhealthy. Well reading the info on my canister, that is a bad idea. Canister filters need maintenance too. Not as crazy as water change part, but they need to be clean as the manual instructs.

[@MASSAquariums]

Very true. I've learned a lot from my screw ups

[@juliepurcell8820]

That's what I have I took out carbon and put in xtra sponge even and one on Intake

[@MASSAquariums]

+Julie Purcell 👍🏻

[@johnm4875]

Great advice. I found my fish and plants do better when I do less. Thanks

[@MASSAquariums]

Thank you. 👍

[@nathanaeljohns3397]

Wow water changes, why didn't I think of that?? One of these days I hope to watch an aquarium advice video that actually has something to say.

[@MASSAquariums]

Keep looking. You'll find one

[@glgl1472]

I live in Vancouver Washington there's a lot of nitrates in the municipal water and of course they're not going to change that for me so I guess I could do reverse osmosis or buy spring water or something but gets to be a pia I have eight tanks and I'm finding it's more work than owning a dog.I keep chickens and quail and they're a lot easier to take care of then balancing my aquatic chemistry what a pain in the ass

[@MASSAquariums]

Get an RODI unit. It will pay for itself in no time. They aren’t that expensive anymore

[@terrilorrain528]

Thank you so much! Three simple things to keep my fish healthy and happy, and give me peace of mind!

[@MASSAquariums]

Awesome. Enjoy your summer

[@memirio5430]

I'm having to do 25% water changes almost daily, or every 2 days. I have some plants, but only floating ones. My Phosphate levels are enormous (10ppm). I got a phosphate reducer but it doesn't reduce the ppms very quickly. I don't want to use too much. About 2 weeks ago I added another piece of driftwood with plants attached that was soaking for a long time, but my Nitrate levels were growing before then. I change my filters almost daily now. I also add Bio-Clear and/or Prime and/or Stability almost daily to ensure the tank doesn't cycle. The lights are only on for 7 hrs p/day, no direct sunlight, 36 Gal tank with 2 clown loaches about 4-5 inches long and 2-3 inches tall, 2 harlequin rasbora, 4 cardinal tetras, 5 cherry barbs and 5 Pepper Cories (who are constantly laying eggs). The fish get fed every 2 days. 1-2pinch flakes, pinch of community pellets and/or micro pellets.,plus shrimp pellets for the loaches. Once a week they get frozen food (Shrimp,, Blood worms or assorted community Fish) The loaches and pepper cories, sift through the sand and the other fish are constantly in the plastic & live plants picking off any food that landed there. I'll keep doing the changes, but wondered if there is anything I can do to get this tank settled so that it can just about take care of itself?

[@MASSAquariums]

+MeMiri O j personally think you're doing too much and it never gets to settle. Do a WC once a week and feed only tiny amounts once per day. Keep your sponges clean and that should be good

[@blue-4_646]

Can moss balls take nitrates out as well?

[@MASSAquariums]

+Blue-4_ yes they work great for nitrate adsorption

[@sam3d]

Changing most water often will NOT throw your tank out of cycle.

[@RoseCappadona-dp8tp]

Thank you straight to the point got it. I’m on the job👒

[@MASSAquariums]

Word up

[@RoseCappadona-dp8tp]

@@MASSAquariums I Have justo done water testing positive results 🐠 thank you for the information 👒

[@michelletoni3067]

Great video, thanks 🙏 Bottom line, do an average amount of water removal, you will be good, no getting around, water changes.

[@fish9905]

Thanks

A agree with you, I think people do two many water changes, as it stresses your fish out. When I used to do 40% once a week it really stressed out my fish, as the water was slightly different than what was in there. My angel died of stress because of this. Now I do 20% every other week and everything is doing very well. I clean my filter as well. I think that as long as you do little water changes, often then it is fine. I'd rather have nitrates a little to high than having to constantly be doing huge water changes that could stress my fish out, but that would most likely happen if my tank was over stocked. Consistency is key!

[@MASSAquariums]

Exactly. Have a regiment and stick to it.

[@jimbaldwin1990]

I did a 50% water change. awhile ago and Spot my gold angelfish died. After that I bought a test kit and found them "test strips" were totally inaccurate. I think Spot died from nitrate shock. Now I do smaller water changes mo often and no problems.

[@MASSAquariums]

That’s how I do it

[@conniefrieders6294]

Hi Mike, I know you’re way more knowledgeable then myself. I just thought I’d leave my opinion in a helpful way. This video is 3 yrs old with not enough information. Like when you clean out your filters, how to clean them without removing the beneficial bacteria! Rinsing sponges in tank water not tap etc. You might want to edit or do a redo

[@MASSAquariums]

I was thinking about redoing some older videos. 🐟👍🏻

[@sparkyjones560]

You should never do a complete teardown at clan at the same time. If you vacuum the bottom and do the glass, leave the filters, if you do the filters, don't do the bottom and the glass. If you do it all at once you knock down you beneficial bacteria colony too much. If you stagger what you do then it doesn't hit the colony so hard its easier for it to get back to where it was and handle the breaking down of ammonia and nitrites.

[@onehitterquitter2130]

Feequent Water changes screw with tank chemistry. Good bacteria and the tank seasoning never have enough time to adequately settle.

[@MASSAquariums]

I do like that idea

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

i didn't do a water change in my 55 malawi tank for almost 2 months and my fern and anubis grew like wildefire. no worries though i'm back on my regular maintenance cycle

[@MASSAquariums]

👍👍things will always grow. A

Probably because of the build up of nutrients of that time.

[@gazzertrn]

like the advice , had nitrate problems in my tank recently , still ongoing . good advice thank you . keep up the good work

[@MASSAquariums]

Thank you. Appreciate it

[@msprofessr]

Thx for your advice. My nitrates has been going up. I will follow your advice.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Yolanda Herbert 🐟👊🏼

[@johnjwedrall4290]

This video on nitrates helped me a lot.

[@MASSAquariums]

Awesome

[@johnjwedrall4290]

@@MASSAquariums 👍

[@AQUASergTravel]

Thank you, very interesting. I fully agree with the statement about the uselessness of replacing water in the aquarium often and in many ways. I watched your video through automatic Russian subtitles. Maybe I didn't get it right. But the main idea is clear - you need to take into account the population of the aquarium, the number of fish and the filtration system.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes exactly correct

[@AQUASergTravel]

@@MASSAquariums I translated your story about nitrates through KZbin, and I respected you even more. I personally hold the same view on the substitution of water and the presence of animals and plants in the aquarium. What I tell my subscribers about. Good explanations. I wish you good luck and further development of the channel.

[@dikshyasurvi6869]

I heard your first sentence and saw your t-shirt and subscribed.

[@MASSAquariums]

👍🏻

[@albertflores5194]

I do a water change once a week usually 40% on my 55 gallon heavily planted tank for a year now and it balances my nitrates,nitrites,ammonia all at 0. I use the API test kit weekly. Have not losted a fish and I clean out my canister once a month, my HOB every two weeks. I got a routine and i stick to it. Great video, keep it up bro! your teaching so many of us the proper way to care for fish in this passion of ours.

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks, I appreciate it. That's a great regime you have. Stick to it.

[@sadieyanda8869]

Great video! Love the range of information and how "real" you are. Keep it up, enjoy watching your videos

[@MASSAquariums]

Thank you

[@RexDogDelivers]

Did water changes 2 days in a row. Cleaned the filters a day apart now adding plants. I hope this does it. I hate to have to tear down the entire tank and start over.

[@MASSAquariums]

Check your tap water. Might be high in nitrates

[@RexDogDelivers]

@@MASSAquariums Yea we did that today. So they were high yesterday did a water change cleaned 1 filter. Today second water change and another filter cleaning (2 canister filters, 135 gallon, 1 Pleco 1 Red Tail catfish), so they were still high and he is at the top of the tank so we tested the tap water. It is normal. We just dropped in a bunch of Water Lettuce.

[@MASSAquariums]

👍🏻

[@sre331l]

Keep your media under-water all through your filter changes. If you expose it to air, it may as well not be there. To do this, break down the filter submerged, take out the carbon and sponges once you have the medium in a separate bucket, then reassemble once the media is in the bottom (underwater). You should get the idea once you start. After 12hrs, all your levels should be absolutely on the button, and stay there for a week or more. 2week water changes, as he said will keep things perfect over 3months. I clean the filters 4 times a year, except the top nitrate pad and wool which get changed if I notice any spikes in nitrate sooner.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Andrew Houghton yep

[@sre331l]

I forgot to say, the bacteria are anaerobic. They are killed by exposure to oxygen. And they love nitrates! Yum yum.

[@kingofrannoch]

my nitrate levels were blood red :( all i have in a 10 gallon tank are a betta a clown pleco a tiny snail and 2 corydoras

[@MASSAquariums]

Maybe it’s your tap water

[@ChrisCorpse669]

Second video of yours that has literally answered my question and lessend my worries. Definitely earned a sub!

[@MASSAquariums]

Thank you. Appreciate that sub

[@Wobblybunz]

thx

[@RickyRanchu]

I did not consider that removing the gunk from filters would help with nitrates, but it makes sense

[@MASSAquariums]

Gots too

[@riteshmagwana]

The way you discribed is very good, I was also confused with water changes​......Now shorted. thanks for the details. I have 80-G aquarium & malavi\african cichlids if you want to share something about this please share......I am also very confused for them to get some caves According to them😯

[@arielespinal23]

Hey Mike, Love you're videos! About year now I started a tank (55 gallon fresh water) my question is I do about a water change about every week if not definitely week and half at most I personally don't let it go past that, I clean my sponges rinse the media every 2 months and what needs to be replaced I do. I look from a side view of the tank and it always looks semi cloudy, should I change what i'm using in the canister? Canister is a Fluval 406 Water polishing pads Fluval Fluval Bio-Foam Inserts One of the baskets have half of Bio Max and the half has Pre-Filter both from Fluval And I also have in their is Fluval Zeo Carb Is there anything I should change? I hear that Chemi Pure Blue is the stuff to buy, but if i was do it I put one pack in the media two in one of the media baskets and remove the zeo carb... Fishes I have rummyred nose and galaxy rasboras Thanks, Ariel

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks Ariel. Beautiful name. I use Chemi pure in all my tanks. Elite in FW tanks and Blue in my SW tanks. You could throw some in there. Filter floss will also polish the water.

[@rstampa2u]

I like what you have to say about a lot of aquarium tips. Thanks for taking the time to educate us.

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks for watching, much appreciated

[@dodiesable227]

Interesting video. I have a 35 gallon tetra only tank that the fish are over 8 years old, and so is the "tank" as I have never cleaned it and only do a water change twice a year. Another tank I have, 200 gal, well planted with cichlids and cories, is constantly going "bad". I clean my two canisters once a month, I water change at the same time. I waitched this video because I was wondering how I can get the nitrate levels down. Everything else is at a perfect level.

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks pant heavily or water change often but also a lightly stocked tank helps

[@dodiesable227]

Yes, I have reduced the number of fish and added more plants (which I know can also add to the "debris") I am at a point I think I need to take the tank all the way empty, scrub the gravel and start from scratch. Yikes.

[@MrJake023]

i do 70 to 80% water changes weekly got a 75 African cichlid Aquarium got about 30 currently going to max out at about 40 with that being said I make sure all my filters are unplugged and that all that new water is dechlorinated before I plug my filters back in that is a must the water has to be dechlorinated before you plug your filters back in that way you can get away with massive weekly water changes without affecting your beneficial bacteria mind you this is if you got overstocked aquarium mine is a 75 gallon and I have about 30 African cichlids mixed in with South American Cichlids they get along cuz I got quite a few in my 75 peace

[@MASSAquariums]

👍🏻🐟👊🏼

[@sunflower6434]

Good point regarding how your filter can hold nitrates…

[@MASSAquariums]

👍🏻🐟

[@MohammedAli-bk7kh]

Great information. I have a hang-on filter. When replacing the filter sponge and carbon and amonia should it be done at the same time or replace individually to not mess up the cycle?

[@MASSAquariums]

You can do it all at once

[@VikingsFan27]

I have a 280gallon custom tank with a 100gallon wet dry sump. It is planted with co2 injection. I have it full of different types of bio media, carbon, nitra zorb, filter floss. I do 30% weekly water changes with 50%-50% rodi to tap water to keep ph low. I am having a issue with nitrates. My issue is I can not for the life of me get the nitrates to stay below 30-40ppm. I use a gravel vac each week. Not sure why I can't seem to get the nitrates lower. Any ideas?

[@MASSAquariums]

That isn’t too high and the fish should be fine. Are you sure your tap water isn’t high in nitrates

[@VikingsFan27]

I am keeping freshwater stingrays. They are sensitive to water conditions. It is not deadly at that level however it is unhealthy for them. I have low nitrates in my tap. I will test tap again this evening. I am thinking about moving to a drip system. Do you have any experience with them?

[@AquaGeek]

My nitrates in my reef tank were at 200 at one point and my fish were all fine. I increased my water changes and in about 3 months they were down. All my fish were fine.

[@MASSAquariums]

In my experience nitrates don't affect the fish as much as they do the tank as far as algae and what not. 👍👍the longer you're in the hobby I feel the more you concentrate on tank health as much as fish health.

[@michellebrettell8424]

I do 20% water change on my 10gallon planted tank once a week

[@MASSAquariums]

Nice

[@carols.2863]

Thank you for your video...I"m still a newbie and I have learned so much by watching the many videos out there and I thank all of you. I have a 20 gal. long with a single fin goldfish about 5 in., a pleco about 4 in and a betta fish. One anubias plant that is suddenly growing rapidly, gravel substrate, air stone and whisper 2-10 gal. filter. This is an established tank, water is crystal clear, but just started water testing with api fw master test kit. Ph 7.4, ammonia 0, nitrite 0 and nitrate....off the charts...blood red. So I've increased water changes/gravel vac, added purigen, got rid of carbon, reduced daily feeding quantity by 50% and nitrates are better but still red. Could it be that my filter is just too small? I've ordered an aquaclear 30, polyfiber cut to size and the aquaclear comes with ceramic rings. I am praying the updated filtration system will lower nitrated levels. I'm also getting a filter sponge for my intake tube. Do you think the updates will help with the nitrate levels? My goal is to get out of the red zone so I can add a few more fish. Please respond...I need advise...the local pet stores know even less than I do...Thank You...Cs

[@MASSAquariums]

+Carol S. I think the additions will help but your best bet is to get a bigger tank. 20 gallons is not that big

[@carols.2863]

+MASS Aquariums ok...thank you.

[@iamlegend712]

You mentioned 'plants.' What about with African cichlid tanks? What plants can I out in there? Because they will eat it like lettuce.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Janssen Garcia Santos anything bitter

[@iamlegend712]

MASS Aquariums and that would be Anubias?

[@hairyitalianboy]

hi my aquarium i have very high nitrate over 100 in my 30 gl tank last week i upgraded from 20 to 30 gallon added new plants but kept all same gravel water ect .... filter media use dsam ebio media everything else new....aqua clear filtertration system .... amazining fish look ok ....very low ammonia leval .... im using microbe-lift nie out as well as amonia pad in filter and nitrate remove pad ....and cuting down on feeding ...see if can ge tit down ph is perfect

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@Bandicoot1936]

good topic. imo your wc percentage and frequency is going to be based on your bio load and overall water volume of your set up. i agree in a planted or sw tank there is a certain balance you should maintain. by the same token ive seen a 55g with 35 adult mbuna in it which is grossly over stocked imo, and is going to require huge frequent wcs just to keep nitrates at a reasonable level.i think its going to vary from set up to set up. theres really no cookie cutter guide to use as far as maintenance is concerned. you just have to be familiar with your particular set up and act accordingly. you seem to have your maintenance on point which is what its all about.

[@MASSAquariums]

I could t have said it better myself

[@TheFreshTehBest]

Exactly. Every aquarium is different, know your aquarium and your limit

[@ericj810]

I replace the filter pad without even shutting off the powerfilter. My nitrates are 80ppm. I need to do more water changes...

[@MASSAquariums]

More plants as well

[@snakehandler87]

My nitrates have been high even after changing the water 50%+ but Ive had my fish for 5+ years and have been fine..id still like to lower the nitrates but idk what else to do.

[@MASSAquariums]

Your tap water probably has high nitrates. RODI Water is an option

[@Purowalangkwenta]

Great video, I have a high 40-60ppm nitrate constantly since i finished my cycle last month. I read on some forum not to clean the sump. is it about time to clean my mechanical media such as foams and polyester ? its been a month since is i finished my cycle on my 140 gallon tank. any suggestions?

[@MASSAquariums]

+Chris Ongoing you can go 2-3 months.

[@austinsoulia4686]

Thank you so much

[@MASSAquariums]

You’re welcome

[@crystalmiller9976]

Hi! Great video-thanks! I have a 30 gallon, brackish (1.012) aquarium with Mollies. I have a bubble wand filter at the back of the tank (which my Mollies absolutely love) and a Fluval U3 filter system. I have been doing the water changes like you suggested, but I still can't seem to keep my nitrates/nitrites low. Plus, I only have 2 adult mollies & 8 fry in the tank. I would really like to add some plants to help with the nitrates but can't seem to find any for a marine salt environment. Any suggestions?

[@sparkyjones560]

Algae reactor/scrubber. It will collect and build algae inside of it which will consume the nitrates but not in the tank itself the water just flows through it and the nitrates feed the algae then you just have to clean it out from time to time when there's too much algae and restart it.

[@snarbleglarf4200]

I was wondering what the plant is that you have next to the Alternanthera and behind the cryptocoryne

[@MASSAquariums]

Crinum

[@snarbleglarf4200]

@@MASSAquariums thanks!

[@horacioolivares3614]

really helpful and you spoke nothing but the truth this is the way to keep an aquarium. i have a question for you I have a 55 gallon aquarium with height tec fluval 3.0 for planted tank i run co2 yeast and sugar shoul i run airstone during the day and shut of at night? right now the airstone and the sponge filter is running 24/7 please guide me on this matter thank you

[@MASSAquariums]

I would do the opposite. Run an air stone at night while the CO2 is off

[@horacioolivares3614]

@@MASSAquariums thank you i will do the same

[@samarcher6632]

The thing is if you do lots of water changes to remove nitrates, your also going to be raising the ph which is deadly for your fish especially if they like a low ph around 6.5. So what I recommend is a ph stabiliser which you add to the bucket filled of water before tipping it into your aquarium. This way you can do lots of water changes to lower your nitrates but also ensure your not raising your ph to much.

[@thag7749]

Excellent information for the new fish keeper and the veteran alike

[@MASSAquariums]

Thank you

[@jeremyrichards1085]

How much do plants reduce nitrates? I have recently run a test on a large fully stocked tank that had no plants. Over a week nitrates were increasing at the rate of 20 ppm. So I went out and bought a bunch of plants and the result is nitrate production has dropped to 10 ppm per week. I can now keep it under 40 ppm with water changes once a week.

[@MASSAquariums]

They do help a lot.

[@jimroyal1972]

I have struggled with Nitrates its driving me crazy! I feel a little better now. thanks. Would you ever use a chemical to lower nitrates?

[@MASSAquariums]

I guess if it was really bad but that gets expensive

[@jimroyal1972]

@@MASSAquariums Thanks very much. My well water is slightly under 40 ppm for nitrates to begin with. Not really into throwing chemicals in there anyway and would prefer the natural way. I have been working on planting too. Might help out a bit. All other tests are coming up great, just those nitrates! lol Thanks again.

[@jimroyal1972]

Sorry, also my nitrates test hovers around 40ppm maybe slightly higher.

[@carresteigerwald3278]

What kinds of plants? I only have plastic ones now, what is a good starter?

[@MASSAquariums]

Anubias, Bacopa, crypts, Amazon swords, Java fern, jungle Val

[@Soulcata]

I just cleaned the tank and put new water and plants in but still a lot of nitrates

[@Soulcata]

how do i stop the nitrates or are my test strips just inacraute

[@nebskipython]

I use RO for my South American comunity tank as I can keep the water soft and Acidic, however i started an african shell dweller tank and wanted to use my tap water, thing is my tap water is at 40ppm which puts me at a disadvantage. Has anyone used RO for African cichlids and what do you use to buffer?

[@MASSAquariums]

Aquarium salt should work

[@nickyandersonuk1]

The only thing that is high in my tank is the NO3 the rest of test strip is good what do I do should I try a different kit

[@MASSAquariums]

Do a water change

[@rosebud97044]

I had to change my fish tanks water and still was high in nitrate so got a fresh water plant for the tank. They naturally eat the nitrates

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep

[@robertflink8017]

Great help too much water changes definitely not good

[@pnw_element9822]

I be worried to do a 90 percent water change I do about 50 -70 per week is that good enough for my discus tank

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes. Definitely

[@geneneves4018]

Thanks. Good simple advice. Perfect

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@cole3967]

Definitely harder to maintain on smaller tanks like 10g's. Our 55g gets a 30%every week or so..the 40gb weekly. I like to let the filter go for longer on bigger tanks upon setup. 10g's are just about every 3 days 20% but monthly filter maintenance.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep

[@larryboldt8255]

I don't want to do water Changes, I only want to add water when the evaporation drops the level in the tank. How can I do that?

[@MASSAquariums]

Go for it but you may need to do occasional WC’s

[@dailydoseofrips8482]

Will the filter actually clean it up cuz I change my filter every week man I like my water clean but everything natural

[@MASSAquariums]

All good

[@emmalowe9418]

I just changed my water with tap, been doing it for years. Cleaned my filter. Suddenly the nitrate levels are at an alarming level! Any other suggestions?

[@MASSAquariums]

Maybe your tab has an increase in nitrates. You can add more plants too

[@darrenturnes8135]

i had to remove my live plants within a couple of days. My tiger barbs were gasping at the surface and i lost four. As soon as the plant were removed and done a water change they were fine.

[@MASSAquariums]

It wasn't the plants.

[@brenden3466]

I had a 5 gallon tank and the water was great but I went to a 10 gallon and the nitrates and nitrites went up so do I put a moss ball in

[@MASSAquariums]

+Brenden 346 that would help

[@noujaiyang1513]

100% agree with you.

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@bronzephantomgaming-9447]

I'm struggling, one of my molly fish is laying on her side on the bottom of the tank. She is still breathing but not moving with slightly rapid breaths. I made sure to change 25-50% of the water, but to no avail. All the other fish are fine and I made sure the carbon cycle was good before I got any fish, and introduce them slowly.

[@MASSAquariums]

Maybe just too much stress or ammonia

[@bronzephantomgaming-9447]

@@MASSAquariums possibly, though I've checked the water and it's fine. I believe she probably had something when I got her, all the other fish have been fine so far

[@meghansullivan8935]

I have a 5 gallon with 7 baby ramshorn snails and two harliquin rasboras (yes i know it is over crowded, i had three fish die in the span of 3 days beacuse of it.) My tank is to small to add a live plant, pluss i dont have a light. Should i just try feeding less and rinsing the filter along with more cleaning? Please help.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep always feed minimal and do WC’s often

[@brittanysarni6880]

And is that a dojo loach I see in that tank? The yellow guy on the bottom

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep

[@bryanpickett6098]

my nirates are 100 and the fitler just had a fresh change 3 days ago ive done 2 water changes in the last 2 weeks and they were 30% water changes pray for my big tank sisters

[@MASSAquariums]

Have you tested your tap water

[@camille11ize]

You forgot to say "when u rinse the media use trank water", not tap water.

[@MASSAquariums]

Very true

[@juliebrown1510]

I do regular water changes and still high of Nitrates. I do have live plants. But not much plants I'm slowly working on it. I run hang on back filter and canister filter, I cleaned them once amonth. Still high Nitrates. Plants can be expensive I'm working on that. So how else can you get rid of Nitrates???????

[@Lauren-dg6et]

Julie Brown what’s the size of your tank and what is it stocked with? What are your other parameters?

[@TheFlutterrbye]

What is an acceptable level for nitrates and nitrites?

[@MASSAquariums]

I usually say 40ppm and below