Loaches Online Forum

I have had nitrate issues in my tank for years. I don't think I'm overstocked in my 55 gallon--five palm sized silver dollars, 3 small clown loaches, 7 cherry barbs and one betta ( in its separate custom enclosure).

I do weekly water changes--about 15 gallons

I siphon gravel each time

I haven't been overfeeding

I've had a bag of ceramic bio beads in this tank for several years. A few things I've been reading on the internet are indicating that the bio beads can actually be contributing to the raised nitrate levels. Anyone ever heard this or can concur??? I have no nitrate in the tap. I rinse filter media each time I do a water change.

This has been an ongoing issue and I'm revisiting it again since it continues to baffle and stress me. Thanks.

Fran

This is a duplicate post.
Posting it 3 times on such a small board is not going to get you any more or better an answer than in the one main post that has gone on for 2 pages, nor the thread you answered in this forum.

Same problem: Fish food adds protein and therefor nitrogen to the tank.
Same answer:

Nitrogen In = Nitrogen Out.

You need to do more and larger water changes to keep the nitrogen from building up so high.

You are the first to reply in a week here. The loach forum is more a bit more active (but certainly not like it used be) that is why I posted there. I'm not looking to compare input, just get some. Three times? I believe I only posted it twice.

You also answered another thread, sympathizing with another person and explaining a bit of your problem in that post. Answering another post is not a problem at all, we come here to share information and experiences. However, I also answered your questions in that other person's thread.

I understand. I will delete this one later today.

You are the first to reply in a week here

Everyone else saw this as a duplicate post, and confined their comments to one so they would all be together.