Over feeding

[Jim]

When over feeding occurs does nitrate go up?

I know Nitrate can be kept down by water changes but what causes it to rise?

I did a %25 water change 4 days ago and my Nitrate is at 4.5

Thanks
JIM

[luvfishies]

Yes nitrATE will go up, after a rise in ammonia, then nitrITE. The END RESULT is increased nitrATES. The IMMEDIATE result may be a mini-cycle.

[fishycanuck]

NitrAte can go up with overfeeding, too much of a bioload (or adding a lot of fish at once), undetected dead fish.....
Have a look at this link -
http://groups.msn.com/LyreTailsAquarium/biochemistry101.msnw
especially the article on the nitrogen cycle.

[Jim]

THANKS