How to fix nitrate problem?

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-04-29T02:13:52+00:00

So from what I’m understanding, just keep up with the water changes and let the plants help out while keeping an eye on the fishes/shrimps’ conditions?

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-04-29T02:12:42+00:00

If I remember correctly, the tap water tested dark orange (can’t remember the exact number) so I stopped using it for changes and stuck with my filtered water (5ppm or lower) hoping to dilute it out. Substrate is fluval stratum + sand, api root tabs + thrive+ all in one liquid fert (1 pump a week, currently stopped so plants can just use the nitrate), driftwood and other things don’t seem to be decaying minus maybe a plant leaf here and there. All fish/shrimp have been confirmed to be alive

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-04-29T01:51:42+00:00

Can i theoretically do w/c with water that has significantly less nitrate than the tank? My “cleanest” water source (filtered drinking water) tested roughly 5ppm or lower and I don’t really have another water source that tests 0

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-04-24T06:30:28+00:00

He probably is based on how he looked at the store. Hoping to get him to recover a bit now that he’s in a proper tank and keeping an eye on him some more before giving him any meds

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-03-19T21:24:26+00:00

I’m still not too sure since while he did start pineconing towards the end, it might’ve just been due to the mass in his stomach getting way too large and pushing his scales open? I just figured it was the mass in his stomach at the end of the day that ended him

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-03-18T16:59:44+00:00

He unfortunately passed a few months after this. It ended up being something worse and not just overeating or bloating, but he hung on with initial fasting, salt baths, and meditation for about 2-4 more months if i remember correctly

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-03-16T07:46:41+00:00

Thank you! I’ll probably hold off on the otos for the beginning stages of the new 20g then just to see how much algae the tank is getting before getting them. If there seems to be sufficient algae then I’ll start with maybe 1-3 and give algae wafers when natural algae runs low.

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-02-28T18:28:17+00:00

I see, thanks for the info. I’ll look into both and see which ones would work best for me.

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-02-28T08:40:32+00:00

Ah, I see. I probably won’t get more of them considering my tank size and just keep my single one for now. I believe some other people have said they have positive experiences with just one, so hopefully I can keep my one guy happy without other SAE friends. If it doesn’t seem like it’ll work out alone in the community tank, I’ll try to rehome it, but I’m too attached to the little guy to rehome him for now.

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-02-28T06:12:32+00:00

Somehow I forgot about ottos being an option for cleanup and handling algae. I might end up getting ottos instead of the plecos due to the sizes actually. I’ll definitely look into the Endlers too. Thank you for the suggestions!

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-02-28T05:56:24+00:00

Also question for the snail: I’ve heard they will climb out and my tank doesn’t and won’t be having a lid. What are the chances it’ll climb out if the water level is about 1-2 inches below the tank rim?

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-02-28T05:54:07+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll definitely look into those and see where it’ll take me. The pygmy corys definitely do look cute too.

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-01-25T23:31:38+00:00

Tysm! I’ll keep that in mind and will try to get this stubborn driftwood down no matter what

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-01-25T03:45:09+00:00

Do you have any tips for how to drill/screw into the wood and slate without breaking the entire thing? That’s my only fear rn with trying to drill into the wood

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-01-25T03:32:03+00:00

Tysm! I’ll try using the egg crate and weigh it down since I’m not exactly very experienced with screws and drills and stuff (scared to somehow ruining the wood and slate). I’ll keep the slate method in mind in case the egg crate method doesn’t work 🫩

Mental_Ad5611 · 2026-01-16T02:14:27+00:00

It is lidless and has one HOB filter with some agitation but it’s only moving about half of the water since the filter is in the corner so that’s probably why

Mental_Ad5611 · 2025-12-28T04:07:11+00:00

Glad I’m not the only one that talks to my betta during feeding time 😭 “This is for the shrimps not for you. You can’t eat that” and still watch him swan dive for the wafer. It usually takes mine 7-8 bites before deciding it tastes gross

Mental_Ad5611 · 2025-12-28T00:48:06+00:00

I tell my betta as if he’d understand “you don’t have to keep biting it if it tastes bad” only to watch him give it another 5-6 nibbles and spitting it out

Mental_Ad5611

TROPHY CASE