High Nitrate Levels

[LRPRESTO]

What does it mean when you have no ammonia, no nitrite, but high nitrate levels? Is it really bad to have high nitrate levels? I do regular water changes and feed them only what they will eat in three minutes and have double if not triple the filtration systems but can't seen to get those nitrates down. What am I doing wrong here?

 

[rdd1952]

What is the actual nitrate reading and how often do you do water changes? The only way to lower nitrate is with water changes. If you do weekly 15 to 25 percent water changes you nitrates should never be over 10 to 20 ppm unless you have nitrate in you tap water (what is the nitrate reading in your tap water?).

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Nitrates are the product of the biological filter. Ammonia > NitrIte > Nitrate. Bacteria that consume Nitrates do not (and should not) grow in an Aquarium because they are anaerobic (i.e. need an oxygen free environment). Plants will absorb some of the nitrates, but the only sure fire way to keep nitrates down is a good water change schedule.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

The only way to remove nitrates is by water changes. Also live plants break them down as food.

 

[andywg]

Nitrates are the product of the biological filter. Ammonia > NitrIte > Nitrate. Bacteria that consume Nitrates do not (and should not) grow in an Aquarium because they are anaerobic (i.e. need an oxygen free environment). Plants will absorb some of the nitrates, but the only sure fire way to keep nitrates down is a good water change schedule.

Why should they not grow? Many people try and create Deep Sand Beds and use denitrators in FW to keep nitrates down.