nitrate test reading high 50mg i think?

hey every1 just bought the salifert nitrate no3 test

did the test and came up with 50mg im guessing thats not good?, it should be 0 right?

so the answer is a water change im guessing but dont want 2 do that just yet as medicating the tank for ich!

which is more important?

started medicating the tank 2day, need to do it every day for 10 days

any answers greatly appricated

 

Try and get the nitrates below 20 if you can, via water change.

Unless you are running a ULNS (ultra low nutrient system), you will probably have nitrates. An older tank that exports nutrient via skimmer, macro algae and such may have very low nitrates. Your typical newer tank with moderate fish and feedings is going to have nitrates.

Are you treating for ich in the display tank and what are you treating with?

 

do the water change for sure. That amount of nitrates could be the reason for the ich. Get the nitrates down some, and then do your meds.

 

so i shall do a water change 2morow then

im treating the fish with parazoryne (herbal support) i also bought garlic extrate 2day aswell as this should help them recover

what is weird is the ammonina is 0? how can that be?

im confused?

 

why is that weird?

 

plus i feed them flakes n shrimp every day, thats okay 2 do that?

 

While a water change will help lower the nitrates it is like a band-aid, it helps but doesnt cure the problem. Next is to identify the source. What size is your tank & what is your bioload & feeding schedule?

 

Do a little reading on the Nitrogen cycle. It might help you out.

If you are feeding two separate types of food, both daily, you are probably feeding way too much.

Feed less, do more water changes. If those things done together don't work then we can go from there.

 

because i thort if the nitrates are high then the ammonina would be high 2?

i feed my fish once a day, iv got the marine river reef 94

 

thanks for ya help peps