help..very high nitrate (50ppm) while stable nitrite (near 0) and ammonia (near 0).

[jamesdno]

hi..after adding clean up crew and a fish..my water parameter became very high nitrate..but low ammonia and nitrite and ph 8.2.. is my skimmer not working or should i add more air to the skimmer? help..thanks

 

[meschaefer]

If you still have ammonia, your tank is not done cycling and high nitrate is to be expected. You added a clean up crew and fish, which increased the bioload. Even if your tank had been done cycling, the addition of a bioload in a new tank will create a mini cycle. You will see a slight increase in ammonia, followed by an increase in nitrite and then nitrate.

 

[KathyC]

In addition to what Matt said, you are going to need to do some water changes to get the ammonia out of there or you could easily lose your fish & inverts. At a minimum the ammonia will cause them harm.

This will extend the length of your cycle.
Please don't add any further fish/inverts/corals until your tank is stable..meaning zero ammonia, nitrites and low nitrates.

Do you have a pic of the bubbles in your skimmer?