NITRATES off the charts !!!!!

[meech]

Ok,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,got a question.

I'm currently cycling my 120 gal tank.
I recently added sand from my old setup (which had been dry and sitting in a Glad bag for 8 months) to my tank. Prior to doing this, my ammonia was at zero, my nitrites were zero and my nitrates were about 10 ppm.

I just took a nitrate reading last night (3 days after adding the sand) and my nitrates were off the charts ( 160 ppm) :shocked1: !!!!!!

Could the addition of the pre-used sand have caused such an enormous spike?

Obviously a water change is in order at this point but how much ????
I don't think a 50% water change will be enough to really get my Nitrates down? Should I do like a 75% or more change?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

See tank thread post.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

A 75% water change will only make the cycle extend itself.Wait it out and test it every day for nitrates and ammonia.Patience is the key.Adding the sand only made the cycle start over in a way.

 

[meech]

thanks guys.