Moss Balls

[Jane47324]

I have a relatively new 30 UK gallon tall tank with 4 zebra danios, 4 glow tetras and 10 cardinals (very small ones, about 1cm).
My nitrate level was quite high (about 50mg/l) and I have reduced this with a 25% water change which brought it back down (10-20 mg/l).
The temp is 25C and the pH 8.2 - 8.5. Ammonia level is 0.1mg/l and nitrite 0.1mg/l
Why is my nitrate so high?
As it is a tall tank I have mainly artificial plants, but am thinking of moss balls as a natural nitrate reducer.
I would really like a large shoal of cardinals (about 15-20) , but need to stabilise the nitrate level first.
Apart from regular water changes, is there a natural way of creating a better balanced ecosystem in my tank?
Are moss balls are new fad, or are they a good adition to a tank?
Would 20 cardinals in a 30 gallon tank be ok? (including the danios and the other tetras)?

 

[pablothebetta]

High nitrate would indicate lack of water changes, ammonia--> nitrite--> nitrate (removed by w/c).

Keep on doing those water changes, as large as you can get, and make sure you change the water regularly to keep them down

As for the moss balls, they grow so slowly (5mm a year I've heard) I doubt they'll make much difference. I don't know a whole lot about plants, but I'd expect you'd want some faster growers for absorbing nitrates. IMO, I think moss balls can look quite effective if used correctly though

Before adding the cardinals, I'd up the danios and glowlights to at least 6-8 of each as they will do far better in bigger numbers

 

[bettaboy150]

I have a question about the moss balls, i recently got this marimo moss ball from a local pet shop, does it do anything? like culture any infusoria? or does it just sit there and nothing happens :l