Lowering Nitrates

[Geese37]

My nitrates read between 40 and 80.. Its hard to see a big difference between the 2. but i have done 15-20% water changes every other day for the past week.. but the nitrates don't seem do go below 40. what should i do to lower them? I know that 40-80 isn't very high but i want to feel likes its below 40 as recommended.

 

[m00se]

What's your tap water test at? It may be that your tap water contains 40ppm nitrates (I know mine does), so you might not even be able to get below that 40 is OK, I just keep mine below 100 and all is fine and dandy

 

[divegirl]

Have you got any live plants in your tank? These will help to reduce nitrates!

Lisa x

 

[Curiosity101]

Also what size is the tank, what is the stocking and how long has it been since the fish were added.

 

[Geese37]

Its 47 US gallons. with 2 convicts in it. No plants are in it. One of them was added a week ago because my friend got rid of his fish so i took his convict... My tap water reads at about 6ppm nitrates but i have not tested the tap water after the dechlorinator is added. maybe that adds nitrates???

 

[Curiosity101]

What was your water change routine before today?

 

[Geese37]

it was 10-25 % weekly but im not gonna lie i gota a little lazy and forgot to do one for like 3 weeks.

 

[Bebobb]

Hmm that is odd, because you do a water change to reduce nitrAtes. If you are doing so frequent water changes, they should have gone down. It might be that you forgot to do them. Don't worry, we all forget sometimes.

 

[Curiosity101]

it was 10-25 % weekly but im not gonna lie i gota a little lazy and forgot to do one for like 3 weeks.

Well if you forgot for a few weeks then of course they'll have crept up. Afterall there is nowhere else for them to go.
I'd recommend a 50% water change (if you have time).
Test before the change, and then after. With tap water levels as low as yours you should find (hopefully) that your 'after' test, is around half of your 'before' test.
And then once you've got them to a reasonable level, note it somewhere and wait a week.
A week later when you get to water change day, test the water and see what Nitrates are at, then do a % water change according to where you want them.

Example...
You do a 50% water change tonight taking your Nitrates down to 20ppm.
A week later you get to water change day and find your Nitrates are around 30ppm.
A 30% change will get them back down to 20ppm...yep?

Like you said, the 40-80 range isn't TOO high. But 20-40ppm is favourable. Particularly with your tap water results.

A little tip would be too add a few more live plants by the way. Although they are no substitute for water changes (as water changes do more than just remove Nitrates), they will help to keep the levels down inbetween changes.

 

[Geese37]

Will do a water change tonight.. Thanks for the advice. I will update if any thing happens.