"St. Clair" wrote in message
...
I would do a 50% water change weekly, see how that treats your nitrates.
If you're doing it every two weeks and still getting 80 ppm, it's not
enough and your fish will suffer long term effects.

Unfortunately, the only real effective way of controlling nitrates is
still through water changes. Plants help a little, yes, but only a
little. Ion-exchange resigns help a little as well, but produce calcium
and other minerals which harden your water which in your case you don't
need.

What water conditioner are you using?

All I use is Sodium Thiosulfate which I buy as crystals by the tub, then mix
my own as I've been doing for years. I don't use conditioners.

I would use Seachem's Prime as it not
only eliminates chlorine but also detoxifies ammonia, nitrites and
nitrates. Plus, because it's concentrated, you save around 20 bucks
compared to every other brand. (a capful treats 50 gallons versus others
which are a capful treats 10 gallons).


--

RM....
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
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