High Nitrate Levels In Tap Water

[tommyjtom]

Following on from my previous post regarding the loss of fish I have now bought an API test kit. I have established that the ammonia levels are at 0. Although I was unsure as the test result colour was close to 0.25 but having tested bottled water which came out the same colour I am fairly sure that it is at 0.
 
Nitrite is also 0.
 
However Nitrate is between 20 and 40 ppm although probably nearer 40. I am slightly concerned with this as the tank and filter are about 8 months old now and would have hoped for better. I have however just tested the tap water and it produced a similar colour suggesting between 20-40 ppm although it was slightly more orange in colour than the tank test. 
 
Is this common? What is the best method of removing the nitrate from the tap water? I currently only use Aquacare water conditioner. 
 
Thank you.

 

[the_lock_man]

Nitrate isn't a particular issue - I have similar levels in mine, I believe the maximum permitted level in the UK is something like 50ppm.
 
The best way to "remove" it completely is heavily planted tanks, and let the plants use it as fertiliser. I think you can get some chemicals to do it, but I personally don't bother.

 

[Stimo]

I'm exactly same levels as you but touch wood no loss of lives yet

 

[Madness13]

At one point, I had nitrates of around 80 - 100ppm. It was extremely high but never seemed to affect my fish.

 

[benthyer]

I also have the same issue with my nitrates and have not encountered any issues. I have added a few plants and plan on a few more but doesn't seem to affect my fish.