High Nitrate Levels

Question
I've been having a problem with high nitrate (NO3) levels, 80 to 160ppm.  I have a 15 gallon fresh water tank. I have taken out my live plants and reduced feeding amounts. I also replaced 40-50% of the water with bottled spring water. I have used over the counter nitrate reducers and used the Nitra-zorb filter with no luck. The pH level is around 6.6 with no ammonia or nitrite levels present. I don't know what else to try. Any advice would help. Thanks.

Answer
Nitrate is the end result of the bilogical filtering system. You might want to test your tap water to see what the nitrate level is in there. Your system may have some. The only effective way to remove it is with water changes. You don't need to buy special water or buy additives to remove it. Tap water is just fine. Use a regular water conditioner to make it safe for your fish. Live plants consume nitrate but you have to have a lot in there for that to happen, so definately replace the plants you removed.  You just have to be sure and keep up with water changes and maybe add some more live plants to help consume it.

To get things back in order right away, replace 25% of the water every day for the next 3 to 5 days. Vacuum the gravel well. If there is crud down there the nitrates will never stay low. The beneficial bacteria is doing it's job by consuming the waste, but the bacteria's waste product is nitrate. So, too much waste leads to too much nitrate. Once you have done water changes for 3 to 5 days, do a regular maintenance change of 25% every week from then on. It's really necessary to keep the water conditions stable. This will keep the nitrate levels down naturally and keep the fish feeling healthy.