high nitrates in tank

have tried live plants and used all chemicals (natural) requested have been losing a fish here and there and it is a community tank. we have done water changes and added stress coat and baking soda and epsom salt for the ph and hard water. any more suggestions would be great tank together for about 2 1/2 to 3 months

Thanks for any help

What size tank is it? What type of filtration system is being used? What is the water temp? What is the pH? Have you seen any ich or fungus on any fish,, and what signs do they exhibit when not doing well?

Once I know those answers I can diagnose your problem better.

it is a 120 gallon ph is 6.2 water temp is 78-80 degrees. we have marine 350 magnums (2). no ich or fungus and we just switched to fake plants cause the live ones were not doing well.when we notice a fish not doing well it goes in circles and not to long after it floats

by the way thanks for replying so quickly

1) Check the ammonia and nitrite and chloramine levels.
2) Do a 50% water change.
3) Get that pH up to 6.8 to 7.0. and raise the kH to at least 3. Read my blog post on how to raise pH and kH with Sodium Bicarbonate.
4) Secondly set the temp to 76.
5) Place a little freshwater salt in the water - 1 tablespoon per 5 gal.
6) Make sure the water is aerated.
7) Invest in an Aqua-Ultraviolet UV Sterilizer unit. (25 watt for your tank)

What type of fish did you lose?, you mentioned community fish, so I assumed they are freshwater, and neutralish pH lovers.

The more important water parameters are nitrites and ammonia. Both may be present if the tank was not cycled, and both are toxic to fish. Live plants will mitigate some of that, but you need to get the ammonia and nitrite down to zero. Nitrate is not very reactive and is easily converted to plant food. Partial water changes are usually more effective than chemical fixes.

AND... welcome to our little aquarium club. We'll try to give sensible answers to all of your questions.

Welcome to the Forum!!!

Looks like the guys have it covered... Good luck getting your reading down...