Gunther wrote:

- as of about 3 weeks ago, my water district switched to chloramine;
I was aware of this and switched from Novaqua to Amquel, at least
that was the plan.

Um... I think you're supposed to use both together... (At least I always
have).

The high nitrates makes me wonder about gunk in the gravel/substrate or
trapped in the filter media. IIRC you are a sand sorta guy, right?

-D
--
"Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving
that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the
proof." -Galbraith's Law