Sneaky Aquarium NITRATES - (You Didn't Know About)

[@streetsiswatching9660]

To be a successful fish keeper you have to be a scientist, biologist, mathematician and zoologist 😂

[@KaveManAquatics]

Lol I hear you bro! 🤣

[@lobosjeffunnormal6209]

This VATO

[@ohno316]

Especially saltwater

[@skip9763]

So peaceful when everything is cool but stressful when it's not.

[@dexlao9434]

@nathan Astronomy?

[@cherie888]

Again another super educational video from the Kaveman. You talk in a way any level fishkeeper understands. I love sharing your videos to desperate newbies. More power to you Kev!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you so much!! Glad to hear you found the video helpful 😊💪

[@Pesticide7G]

The 200 plants in my aquarium: yooooooooooooo what’s good bro Nitrates: 👀👀🏃🏽‍♂️💨

[@KaveManAquatics]

🤣🤣🤣 True story!

[@noayraol1768]

Bruh you hit the nail with this content you explain it so well. This is the reason why i change almost 90% of my water every 5 days.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you bro! Many don't understand the benefit of big frequent water changes! 😁

[@Ldr809]

@@KaveManAquaticsfor a new tank being cycled how long should I wait for the first water change .

[@nerosiskou04]

I think it would be good to mention for any beginners who come across this video that this only concerns non-planted tanks. You wouldn't have the same issue with a planted aquarium as the plants would consume some of the nitrates and you do ironically need a minimum nitrates in your tank for your plants to survive.

[@KaveManAquatics]

This is absolutely correct. But I’m pretty sure I did mention plants in the video…🤔

[@veevzkdzr]

Hmm, I have a planted tank and high nitrates. My levels have always been under control until recently. My fishes have started to be all cute and come up to the glass every time I walk by therefore causing me to feed them more. In addition, it’s because I was starting to understand my tank pretty well which also is the culprit to nitrates sneaking up on me. I need to stop giving them “snacks” lol 😫 thank you for breaking down the water change w/ nitrate. Makes sense!

[@JasPR1000]

yes but you have another problem- most beginners are over fertilizing and actually increasing there nitrates from a source other than the fish and their biofilm function

[@JohnPONeill]

Is it ok to do 50 % water change two days in a row due to high nitrate? Sorry if I missed you mentioning or implying the answer in the video and I didn’t get it. Slow on the uptake sometimes 🙄

[@BackyardAquatics-o2m]

@@JohnPONeill it's fine or you could do every other day.

[@aussiecarol]

Watching from Australia Kev. My Mum and I are SO pleased to have found your website. Funnily enough today we just went to the aquarium shop for some advice regarding a minor nitrate level so today's video was well timed for us! You explain everything so clearly and you sure have taken a lot of the worry out of our journey with a five week old tank. We thank you so much for spreading your knowledge and for making life easier for we fish owners and more importantly, for making life SAFER for fish in every corner of the world. A safe life is the least these little characters deserve. THANK YOU.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you so much for that positive feedback! Always happy to know I can help, especially all the way from Australia! 😊💪

[@SierraPrecursora]

Yup! Added NINE corys to my tank (friend gifted me more than I asked for!) My nitrates went from a pretty stable 5-10 with a 2 week water change/cleaning schedule to BAM nitrates ~30ish... Started testing AFTER my water changes and they just weren't going back down where I'd expected them to be... Bigger water changes, 1 week schedule, and eventually I've got them back down in the ~5-10 range again. But, I'm keeping an eye on them! And, LOL, checking to be sure the ammonia reading is still ZERO. Celebrating success!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad you were able to figure out the necessary adjustments! Thats how to do it! 😊💪

[@rantsandreviews]

I just did a talk on this exact scenario. It opened a lot of eyes at that club meeting. People just don't think beyond the water change and how "everything" accumulates over time.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Absolutely true, I only recently really started thinking about this and I was like…wait a minute! 🤣

[@Shadow-wn5fw]

Man, that's exactly what I was doing. I did the weekly water change yesterday and tested my water today. I will definitely throw in the extra water change two times a month.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Sounds like a good plan bro! 😊💪

[@zainkarriem8253]

Best educational video I've watched in all my decades as a hobbyists and a great share to explain to everyone why testing is so important... I've always stressed to my group members the importance of testing and not doing "blind" water changes but this video explains it perfectly.. Thank you from South Africa 👍🏼

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you for that positive feedback and thanks for watching from South Africa! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video 😊

[@chrissyosborne3879]

Awesome video! You were spot on at describing my behavior. I guess I never thought about it that way. Thank you.

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad I could help 😊

[@BenOchart]

Once tanks are established, I don’t test as frequently as much as in the beginning. When I do test, I test for everything. Experienced fish keepers do rely more daily visual inspections. A good follow-up would be how this process is impacted by nitrates coming from the tap. Nitrate “creeping” up can get you up to 100ppm. Testing that tap can help😀👍🏻

[@KaveManAquatics]

Very True Ben, many beginners dont even consider their tap nitrates!

[@aimeegoebel7795]

Didn’t think of nitrates in the tap! That’s a good point. If that is the case then how do you lower the nitrates in your tank?

[@BackyardAquatics-o2m]

@@aimeegoebel7795 they will just go down to the level of your tap whatever that is.

[@keshavillaca4372]

I really appreciate this advice. Im new to the aquarium world... i have been doing 100% water changes. I put my fish into a clean empty tank. Clean their everyday tank and then put them back. I came across your page at 5am this morning for the cloudy tanks and i ordered your suggestions. So i really appreciate your advice and help. This means a lot to me and my fish!

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Welcome this wonderful hobby! You don't need to remove the fish when you do water changes or cleanings. An 80% water change will get the job done while leaving enough water in the tank for the fish. Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁 I highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - kzbin.info/aero/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er

[@mattreichenberg309]

Smart man!

[@hilaryschacter4072]

Thanks so much Kev. After watching the video I slapped my palm into my forehead and said to myself, "Of course"! Man, you're good.

[@KaveManAquatics]

lol Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@alissatyau849]

You always talk about what others don't! You make sense too!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the video 😁

[@Talonforge]

This is the kind of info we need. Thanks for the tip and keeping it simple for the average Joe!

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure bro! Glad I could help 😊💪

[@HotPockets88]

Very good subject I too stick with my weekly 80% percent water changes but a couple times a month I do my tanks twice a week. Loading down your fx6 with matrix definitely helps as well

[@KaveManAquatics]

Yes sir, absolutely the way to do it! 💪💪

[@VM-to3no]

I just realized, after watching one of your videos, that you live right near me, and mentioned that pet shop in Westbury, do you ever do any meetings there? I’ve been out of the hobby for 20 years, and just getting back into it, your content and information are greatly appreciated, Technology has changed, it’s like learning all over again

[@KaveManAquatics]

No meetings but I do visit often. Actually just left there a few minutes ago lol Glad I can help you catch up to all thats new in this wonderful hobby! 😊

[@deansmith6092]

Watching this video just blew the lid off the whole ,you must know science. You explained it so well and took the scare out of my head. Thanks for taking the time to share this with the community

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁

[@kamran868686]

It is a very well put video. Thinking about an Invisible villain lurking around in the tank, only the consequences become visible over time & Kev could put these in sentences together explaining stuff. This is Educational Series !👌

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you bro! Glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful. Appreciate that positive feedback as well! 😊💪

[@aimeegoebel7795]

I definitely feel smarter after watching this video. Thank you for all the info and explaining it all so well.

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful. 😊 BTW, you should check out my new Aquarium Keeping APP designed for beginners! - kzbin.info/aero/PLP5OXTIIDO8MyRXOeOqhwzruSWFdhcaNh

[@TheFlyingChad]

So simple yet very analytical as to what is going on in the tank! I dig it!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad you like it!

[@RyanLewis2837]

Wow, you always teach me something new. That totally makes sense. I couldn’t figure out what was up with my tank… now I know.

[@rikscichlidaddiction25]

That's makes perfect sense. I never thought of it like that. I've always done 80% my self as well weekly

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad I could help!

[@kevindixo2020]

Very... Very informative video... It just makes sense... Thanks professor Kev... As always keep the science coming brother ✌🏾

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed that one! 😁

[@Dilworthy]

thanks for this! I've noticed exactly the same in my tank and now I'm slowly rebalancing it to low nitrates as not to shock the fish. Had this tank about 8 years now and it looks amazing but recently struggling with sudden algae build up and hey ho, seems nitrates are off the scale. Your video makes perfect sense. I do 70% every week but hadn't noticed this creeping up. THANKS!

[@jimberence]

I really3 like the way you narrated, this is my most favourite aquarium info.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you! Glad you're finding the channel helpful! 😁💪

[@vidmusic88]

Thank you so much for this video. It really makes sense and I've noticed my nitrates slowing creeping up even though I've been doing my weekly 50% water change. Totally agree with you on this one.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad I could help! 😁

[@Sammy-be5dc]

Man your the best... thanks for the videos and wondering if we can buy the digital water tester like that where you were ...greetings from serbia..

[@scudmac]

Thanks for that Kev. I never thought about it really till you said that.

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure bro! Glad I could help 😊💪

[@TabbyCatLady]

Excellent advice! I’m new to the hobby and understand the nitrogen cycle very well, and this honestly never occurred to me! Thanks for pointing this out, it makes total sense! 👌

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁

[@prestonhamm8117]

Really good video explained clearly for Me as a new Fish Hobbiest . Thanks .

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁

[@luisrivas1618]

Great vid! Yes this is an issue that we all run into. I remember specifically with my South American cichlids they would get sick and aggressive. It felt like I was losing fish every month. I started midweek water changes every 3-4 weeks. It’s definitely improved. My fish have colored up nicely and the aggression has definitely dwindled down.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad to hear you figured it out! 😁

[@dad8129]

Hi Kev another great informative video to watch, I had something I didnt expect happen today, my PH went up from 7.4 to 8.0 and my nitrates which were around 30 went down to 5, I cant understand the reason for these changes. I test exactly the same every couple days atm, new tank, the only difference is I've introduced some fish, only 7 small fish in the cycled non planted 300 litre tank, no water changes so im confused at the PH and Nitrates results, any clue please? - Nige UK

[@tomebert3454]

Wow, never thought about it that way. Can't thank you enough for this video!

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful. 😊 BTW, you should check out my new Aquarium Keeping APP designed for beginners! - aquabuildr.com

[@liopirone7956]

Thanks Kev I didn’t realise that! It makes sense what u described, I usually do 40% weekly changes for my discus but now i will add a midweek one every second or third 👍

[@KaveManAquatics]

That will definitely help. Glad you found the video helpful! 😊

[@rajarshimukherjee2137]

Ever best video regarding aquarium maintenance I have seen and the end solution has also been given (additional and exta water change in betwee). Thanks Kave, while watching the video I was thinking I think the same what you were telling. I do 80% weekly water change then why should I test. But your mathematics has given real aquarium environmental problem and you also have given " the great solution". Thanks 🙏 a lot once again.

[@evowire]

This advice echoes my particular experience. I've found that it is always helpful to test your water every week. That's our data. Nitrates going higher when it was typically "stable", might also indicate a need to change purigen or other chem mediums. Even though my tanks are generally stable with 80% water changes every two weeks: they sometimes need an unscheduled 50%-60% water change. This is especially evident in my larger tank, containing much larger fish. This week, I'm also experimenting with barley pellets. For a very long time, I have been placing two Algone bags in my HOB filter. I recently purchased a tub of barley pellets which are typically used in ponds to see if they not only perform better than the Algone packs, but also to see if they are effective for longer periods of time (supplier claims 3 months). Why? Because I have found this medium cuts way back on any algae growth, as well as helping to keep the water cleaner and it also reduces nitrates. A 95 gallon tank requires only 2 ounces of pellets in a mesh bag. Also, and this may seem over kill to some: I keep a spreadsheet for all of my tanks and I enter everything I do into it. Water changes, water tests, filter maintenance, etc. This is data which can help you later.

[@jthollywood6513]

Just finished a water change and see this. Keep up the great work man.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thanks bro! Will do! 😊

[@yarasub]

Another great vid man you are so much help I learned how to read test vials. And the cycle of doing water changes😮

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad I could help!

[@mohammedalmukhtar7184]

Thanks Actually the most logic talk I heard

[@Lhogchristmas]

Fantastic you explained so much I appreciate you and your channel thank you 🙏🏻

[@chasitydomenici109]

Thank you so much for tour videos. They are truly helpful!

[@BOZZALLINI]

Hey kev.. Question: im not new to the hobby....but recently started a african cichlid tank after yesrs of not having one....keeping up with water changes,prime,stability etc....water is fine...fish are fine and happy....however....ive never used sand or seachem products before prior to watching your channel....but for some reason my water seems to have a musty,creek water type smell no matter what i do....and reason for this...and a fix???? Thanks in advance

[@aka19774]

I'm a first time fish keeper and I've made a lot of mistakes. I've learned so much by watching your videos and I just wanted to say thank you. I

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁

[@seamusmac777]

I'm loving those severums in the arrow tank!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you bro! 😊

[@troywilbur6074]

Quick question i have been out of the hobby a while and if im restarting my 75 gallon tank and doing the cycling process how do i know when its safe to add fish again

[@ravishmasood4799]

Very very educational video...Thanks a ton.!!! 👍👍👍

[@KaveManAquatics]

Most welcome 😊

[@freddievara8649]

Love your channel some water systems have nitrates in it. Nitrates can fluctuate in some aquariums depending on the total water composition. Mine never rise always at 80 water changes dilute nitrates BUT they don’t keep multiplying in most cases. Chasing nitrates is not essential in most aquariums it’s like chasing your shadow. What works for one does not work for all nitrates are not poison to fish if they never reach above 375 to 400. Which never or rarely happens. I have left aquariums with the same water for 1 year nitrates stayed at 80 . Informative video✌️👍😎

[@bikelifetoot2457]

Kaveman help. I have a 55 gallon aquarium with 10 cichlids in it. Haps and peacocks. my tank is still cycling but unfortunately I’ve done a few water changes in that process which took away the beneficial bacteria that was needed. My nitrate level was 40 ppm last night if not a little higher. So I did a water change like you suggested. When I woke up this morning and tested at the nitrate level, exactly the same. I have been dosing and stability every day. I’m just concerned and do not want to lose any of my fish. Love the channel.

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Thanks for the very helpful video on nitrates 👍

[@KaveManAquatics]

No problem 👍

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

Excellent explanation of a fact that is really hard to understand for most aquariums. I too do 80% but twice monthly

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you sir, glad you enjoyed it. Your water change game is up there! Nice 💪

[@cathyrussell9280]

Hi brilliant video , there can be another problem with your nitrates which I have had , I live in the UK and I had serious problem with it and mine got high and I done my large water change , tested after and still high , I ended up doing 3 large water changes straight after each other and still at 40 , tested my water straight out of my tap and that came back at 40 , I never do my water changes at weekend now as it turns out every so often our water board put higher dose of there chemicals in on a Friday , loving your channel from the UK

[@jeffrotenheber2681]

Great info! That seems simple and makes perfect sense yet I’ve never thought of it that way..thanks for the awesome videos

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure bro! Glad I could help 😊💪

[@dbfarm99cool]

This is the video I have been looking for. I have trying to figure out what I am doing wrong with the nitrate situation and this makes it perfectly clear. I think I can deal with it now. Thank you!!!

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful. 😊 BTW, you should check out my new Aquarium Keeping APP designed for beginners! - kzbin.info/aero/PLP5OXTIIDO8MyRXOeOqhwzruSWFdhcaNh

[@rochelle6006]

Best explanation of your nitrates I have seen on utube 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@camille4917]

Crazy insightful, thank you.

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful. 😊 BTW, you should check out my new Aquarium Keeping APP designed for beginners! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXXdgpejjZ2nkJI

[@ridether1122]

One of the best videos I've seen about nitrates. Love it

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thanks bro! Glad you found it helpful! 😁💪

[@clarissakay2139]

Found an article which explains nitrate toxicity at higher levels. Helped me finally understand it. “The main toxic action of nitrate on aquatic animals is due to the conversion of oxygen-carrying pigments (e.g., hemoglobin, hemocyanin) to forms that are incapable of carrying oxygen (e.g., methemoglobin). Nevertheless, owing to the low branchial permeability to nitrate, the uptake in aquatic animals seems to be more limited than the uptake of NH4+ (ammonia) and NO2- (nitrite), contributing to the relatively low toxicity of nitrate” (Carmago et Al., 2004). It also says nitrate toxicity can depend on body size, species sensitivity and water salinity, with freshwater species being more sensitive than marine. So best doing research on parameters specifically for your fish. 🐠

[@islamkoretum530]

This is the best video I have ever seen from you till now Your fan from Egypt

[@KaveManAquatics]

Awesome! Happy to hear that! And thanks for watching from Egypt!! 😊

[@NHseacoast]

Ok , why. Ot use API Ammo lock nitrate remover Or similar Along with water changes? Thanks

[@vimalramachandran]

Your advice is very helpful for beginners like me. Subscribed.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you! Glad you're finding the channel helpful! 😁💪

[@scottfez9742]

Another brilliant video very well described. I do 80% a week like yourself on a 250 liter tank, but also like to pull out 60 liters middle of the 3rd week of every month. Might seem a lot but after an 80 % at the weekend taking 60 liters out and replacing is easy and worth it to get them nitrate levels down.

[@kylemcghee6986]

Kaveman I love the videos and they’ve helped me ALOT! new to Malawi side of things and cycled my tank quicker than I thought it would take so added fish in and loved all the colours and now I’ve added too many for my bioload. My ammonia levels are ok but my nitrate and nitrites are high. I’ve just added seachem prime and stability. I don’t really want to do massive changes of water if unnecessary. Any help would be massively helpful!

[@yarasub]

You explain so well that even a 71 yr old man. Who spends his days looking for his keys and glasses can follow along and Learn😊 ok truth be told sometimes I’ve got the iPad on top of the tank as I follow your vids…..thanks I got back into this hobby after finding you. I have an empty 100 g acrylic trying to decide what to do with it. Current 100 g is my cichlid’s

[@KaveManAquatics]

So glad to hear that you've been finding the channel helpful! I know it's an exciting time setting up and trying to decide what to keep. Good luck! 😊

[@leorealtorny]

That extra does wonders

[@shivchanlakeram4234]

Great video 🙌 Always very helpful 🔥

[@fannypacknick]

I can honestly say I 100% never thought of it like this. One of my fish is acting very different and looks almost sick. I did a 45%-50% water change right now and it’s at about 40ppm now. And I was like wait how is that possible. I change the water on a normal schedule (I’ll admit there have been times where it went over an extra day or two) and it’s always a 50% water change. But I haven’t been throwing in the extra water changes every once in a while. So I’m freaking out scavenging for info on what might be happening and this I believe pretty much answered it. I will definitely be adding in extra water changes now and and sticking to schedule and not missing extra days. Thank you very much for the info and helpful insight!!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad I was able to help! That extra water change will definitely make your tank water cleaner 😁

[@shawnpaul9544]

🤯 never even thought about it like that! Damn u good bruh! I appreciate the info!

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure bro! Glad I could help 😊💪

[@johnmadia5229]

Great way to lay that out. Easy to follow. Kaveman #1

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you bro! Glad you found it helpful! 😁💪

[@danielmelendez3257]

Que productos puedo usar para ayudar al cambio de agua??? Además de "Prime"

[@mayronsting5627]

exactamente a que te refiere con "ayudar al cambio de agua"? Prime es suficiente, por eso pregunto.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Prime is really all you need. But depending on the fish you keep and your source water you may have to add more.

[@Mancer1980]

Can’t thank you enough for this video, I recently lost two 5 year old Bosemani Rainbows and i think you just solved the mystery as to what happened to them. All other levels in my tank were perfect except for my nitrates, they really snuck up on me.

[@addamworthy8644]

That’s a great way to think about it! Well said! 🤙🏽🐠

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thanks bro, glad you found it helpful! 😁💪

[@derekholm6833]

Do you add prime and stability to your new water every water change? If yes, how many doses? 1x, 2x etc?

[@KaveManAquatics]

If your tank is cycled you dont need to add Stability. Only dose Prime to remove chlorine from your tap water. If your tank isnt cycled yet, watch this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYoqyilsaeaac

[@kadinvon62]

Thank you man I’ve been going mad about my nitrates even though I stick to my weekly water change like exactly how you explained it. Gonna throw that mid week water change in my schedule from now on and hopefully end the problem.

[@GenRN]

I do an 80-90% wc. Just enough for them to swim. It’s a big tank but I’m way overstocked but I do my water changes. The best visual explanation I’ve seen for this Cory from Aquarium Co-Op with M&Ms.

[@KaveManAquatics]

I think I've seen that video way back when. I do the same big water changes weekly as well 😊

[@richardmartin3618]

Ok Kaveman I got a question, If all the scheduled water changes leave me with a higher level of nitrates, how would an extra water change lower my nitrates? Using your example if lets say Saturday is my day for water changes. Saturday leaves me with 40ppm, Wednesday comes along and I decide to do a water change. The water left in the tank still starts with the residual nitrates. If your theory is correct all the extra water changes would increase the levels of the nitrates to deadly levels sooner. Would it not?

[@KaveManAquatics]

If you water change every Saturday and then do an extra one on a Wednesday once a month....I dont understand how you dont understand that 🤷‍♂️

[@flemmingj1965]

On a 38 gallon bow front aquarium that houses 3 Bolivian Rams cichlids how much water change do on my size tank ??

[@KaveManAquatics]

Watch this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5DYc4GBmq6eqbM

[@martonveres3154]

That was soooo helpful thank you.😊 I just started my first african cichlid tank two days ago so it helped a lot to understand, how and when to do a water cange.😄😁🐟

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad it was helpful! You should checkout this playlist loaded with tons of info on African Cichlids - kzbin.info/aero/PLP5OXTIIDO8MG9hyJ8PjbC33zEbcyy8__

[@WolverineXXX21]

Definitely food for thought and something I may have to implement into my regimen

[@leezebrowski5838]

When you do the water change do you also use gravel vacum?

[@KaveManAquatics]

I used to, but not anymore 😁 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoW2eH2jbtysmdE

[@danielleabbott6690]

This makes so much sense. I'm having issues with high nitrate but they are high directly out of the tap. I'm assuming RO is the only way to go with this?

[@KaveManAquatics]

With high nitrate in source water, that would be the way.

[@danielleabbott6690]

@KaveManAquatics thanks so much for replying. I've always done a mix of 50/50 tap and RO but clearly that's not enough RO. What volume of RO would I do on my next water change? I just don't want to shock them

[@thomasobrien127]

That's what I have been doing! This video woke me up! I'm going to go check my nitrates right now! Thanks Kev!

[@KaveManAquatics]

My pleasure! Glad you found it helpful 😁

[@mikecarter6560]

Great video - once I got in the red pretty bad, so I did 25% water change, still red, another 25% water change, still red - it would not come down because I was only diluting it and each time the benefit was getting less and less. I had to do a 75% water change once or twice to get the Nitrates back down.

[@rick6582CNCMedicalParts]

15 % a week & i feed fish every other day filters 7 weeks. 90 gal.w/ 33 Tiger Barbs tank ..Good Video Thanks

[@kevinscott9160]

Thank you Kaveman. You just solved my nitrate issues. 👍🏾

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad to hear it!! 😁💪

[@MrFrosty888]

I just check my levels weekly before water change to see what I am dealing with works for me. That said I have gone few weeks with out testing. I also clean both filters monthly. I started using matrix and I am seen much better levels thru out my tanks. I do have bio home in another canister but I have found using both together seems to be working for me. Keep up the work bro was a good vid to keep focus on our hobby

[@mikesmith-wk7vy]

I kind of quit testing when my routine started working well , test strips are fast and easy and decently accurate. but I don’t use the kit every week like I did earlier on

[@KaveManAquatics]

Yup, exactly what many of us do.

[@aquariumaddickuk]

Good information as always kev 🤘🤘🤘

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you bro! Glad you enjoyed it 😊💪

[@dellseasandoval8187]

You are my new favourite channel I will be sticking with regarding anything fish because of this one video. I absolutely love the way you explain this issue which has been my biggest concern getting into it Hobby I have not touched for over 30 years. I appreciate your knowledge, experience, advice. Good job. Keep up the good work. I only have one small question. My question is does that additional twice per week water change once per month or whatever like you said cause more stress on the fish that will get them sick? Actually, one more question, I understand the bio load is what determines the frequency of water changes but would you agree with this no water changes, live plants, Micro Tank, because my place is very small so I can only have four 7 gallon fish aquariums 🐡🎣🐟🐠🐙. I have wanted little shrimp 🦐 like the colourful pretty ones all my life but I’m scared to get any because of how sensitive they are & I’m nervous 😅 about weekly water 💦 changes so I’m getting an absolute tonne of plants & all 4 aquariums so I know it depends on how many little shrimp 🦐are tiny micro tank fish are in the tank but if it’s not too much (oops, here is a third question) do you think I could change my water just once a month if I have only tiny little critters with Absolute tons of plants🪴?

[@KaveManAquatics]

Glad to hear that bro! Thank you for the positive feedback! All water changes will stress fish out to some degree. But the benefits of the extra water change outweigh the small amount of extra stress to the fish. Tons of plants will help in reducing water change frequency, but NO water changes is never the answer. Besides removing nitrates, adding in new water replenishes minerals your fish consume from your old water. Minerals they need to thrive 😊

[@moeb6170]

Got a question for you, I’ve been noticing the same thing here too. Can I do an 80% water change back to back? Thank you!

[@justingriswold2774]

Good thought process and content man

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@tracemiller1519]

So your video does make a lot of sense and would make sense with my issue, so how do we realistically tackle it then? Without doing a 100% WC lol

[@KaveManAquatics]

Just do an additional water change in between your schedule once in a while to catch up

[@katherinerand1892]

This makes sense. I have a tank and am waiting for my ammonia Tim’s to be exact from Amazon do I can start my cycling. But I get what your saying here.

[@liam-n8098]

If I put like 40-50 litres of matrix in the sump will it lower my nitrates? I have a 200gallon with 1 fish and my nitrates are at 40 ppm by the end of the week

[@alphapreacher3981]

Question. Wouldn't the utilization of "SeaChem Prime" or "Microbe-Lift Xtreme" detoxifying the nitrates essentially put you back down to 0 harmful nitrates every time you do a water change? Especially if you have plants in your tank that can eat up those detoxified Nitrates.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Detoxifying doesnt remove the nitrates. Once the Prime is no longer active the nitrates will become toxic again. The plants in your tank on the other hand do actually remove the nitrates. 😊

[@alphapreacher3981]

@@KaveManAquatics Thank you for the follow up. I must have been mistaken when I thought that Prime or Xtreme permanently detoxified the current Nitrites and Nitrates when adding in Prime. I didn't know that detoxifying the current ones in there was only temporary and they would become actively harmful again. I thought only the new Nitrates would be toxic.

Make sense and is well explained!!!

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thank you bro! Glad you enjoyed it! 💪

[@tracemiller1519]

I’ve had consistent high nitrates for basically years now. Have had fish tanks for over 10 years and do weekly WC’s religiously. My nitrates are always high even tho the tank is filled with big plants. Have good filtration but also use sand and I’m starting to wonder if that’s why?? Have tried everything and it’s starting to bother me. Any thought? Kinda think the API nitrate tests might be off

[@KaveManAquatics]

Thats very possible. The way to check is to test the nitrate in your source water. You could be adding it into the tank directly during water changes. If nitrates are high in your source, take a sample to your LFS to test and confirm the accuracy from your test. If its accurate, then you're in the same boat as many of us that have nitrates in our source. The plants is a great way to help. Matrix bio-media can also help when it grows anerobic bacteria. But that will take time. Another route is to use RODI water, but that can get expensive and time consuming. Here's my series on Matrix and how it can help - kzbin.info/aero/PLP5OXTIIDO8OrfNdgfTRnPIFSkG0MshTQ

[@tracemiller1519]

@@KaveManAquatics yea I’ve checked the nitrates in my tap many times and never got a reading over 0PPM so I really don’t know

[@tracemiller1519]

@@KaveManAquatics I was considering the matrix bio media I’m gonna look into it!

[@homarperez8938]

Awesome video! … theoretically would live plants solve this issue? I know in African cichlid tanks you can’t really keep live plants but for other tanks would it help?

[@KaveManAquatics]

Wouldn’t solve it but plants do help. In this theoretical scenario if you had plants instead of your bio-load producing 40 every week it would just produce less, like 25 or 30. But that just means your set bio-load is lower every week while still being in the same scenario. When no variable change, even if you have plants, your bio load is till your bio-load….hope that makes sense.

[@vinhle3272]

Thanks for video. I think it's easy to do 80% water change for big fishes. My 75g tank has all small fishes like gupies, platties, tetra and rasboras which are very sensitive to big water changes. I think I can only do 20-25% max change. I have about 12 plants but they seem to help reduce nitrate.

[@KaveManAquatics]

I would say keep doing what has worked well for you. Yes your plants are definitely helping 😊💪