Nitrites nitrates and ammonia

[L0b0sa08]

Hello everyone,

I've been in this hobby for about a year now. I have a 55ga fish tank.
I've been learning new things almost everyday about this happen and want to make sure I have the right idea. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I was told that nitrites builds up and turns into nitrates and nitrates turns into ammonia. Is this true? I just bought a tester for nitrates yesterday and I'm embarrassed to say that my level of nitrates is higher than it should be and I'm really worried now. The tester is an API just for nitrates. I try to perform a weekly water change but to be honest that sometimes doesn't happen. I don't have a sump on the tank. I have three fish that include a small sailfin a small emperor and a clown. My protein skimmer is an aqua c remora. Might be a little smaller than recommended not entirely sure what it's rated for though. Thinking about it I might be over feeding. I could lower back in the feeding but I'm worried about aggression. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to make sure I have as much detail as I can. Please help! Thank you. Oh when I do water changes its about 5ga.

 

[jraker]

Fish produce ammonia, which is turned into nitrite, which is then turned into nitrate. Ammonia is very toxic to fish, nitrate is a little less toxic, and nitrate is much less toxic, being lethal in only very high numbers. What levels are your nitrates at?

A sailfin tang and an emperor angel get too big for a 55. They produce tons of waste, which could be part of your nutrient issue. In a 55, it is better to have smaller fish like clowns, blennies, gobies, basslets, and other small fish that don't produce much waste.

 

[L0b0sa08]

Thank you for replying. I believe it was 60 ppm. I know this is outrageous which is why I'm very worried and want to get this fixed quick! Any advice?

 

[Sk8r]

A Remora is awfully small for a 55. I used an AquaC 120 on that size. You might try NoPoX to try to lower that reading. It will pull more from your skimmer. A sump is recommended for a reef, and it helps a fish-only, too. If you can put in some spare rock into a sump, it can increase your processing power. And of course you can support a larger skimmer.

 

[Ron Reefman]

As stated above, you have the cycle backwards. Fish poop, which makes ammonia. some bacteria in your tank develop to use the ammonia and turn it into nitrite. Another bacteria develops which uses the nitrite and turns it into nitrate. Each is less toxic than the one before it. The easiest way to lower the nitrate level in the short term is water changes. And if you can't keep up with them, there are other systems you can use. But you need to make the commitment to keeping your tank's water parameters under control or you'll never be successful in this hobby.

 

[oahureefer]

Depending on where you live and what water you are using water changes might not be effective either. Nitrates are naturally occurring in most water supplies. An option would be to get some salt water from a good Lfs. It's best to get to the cause rather than just changing water all the time. My guess is the same other that your biomass is too large, basically too much poop and or over feeding. your current filtration (mechanical/and biological) is unable to keep up.

 

[jraker]

Do you use RO/DI water or tap water?

 

[DePinchGonze]

Emperor angelfish can reach over a foot long, waaayyy to big of a fish for a 55,

 

[L0b0sa08]

I use RO/DI water. As for the bigger fish I plan to get a much bigger tank years down the road while they are still small and when I can afford a much bigger tank. I was thinking a 125-150ga.