Nitrate In Planted Tank

[Ps3Steveo]

What's the average nitrate Reading in a planted tank as after my recent scape my ammonia and nitrite are 0 but my nitrate is 75ppm???

 

[SO19Firearms]

Not sure there is an average. An anchor figure would be 30ppm (I was going to say target value, but it isn't)
If you tested it, Its also reasonable to assume your nitrate isn't 75ppm too

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Why's that?

 

[stu40]

I think he's implying that home Nitrate test kits aren't all that.(something that i've read about, can't prove one way or other)

 

[SO19Firearms]

I think he's implying that home Nitrate test kits aren't all that.(something that i've read about, can't prove one way or other)

Sorry, yes. I was getting two different board's mindset's mixed up. If it's not been stated here before, hobby test kits are unreliable for a number of different reasons. For a planted tank keeper like yourself it's best to ignore them. Or at most use them as digital readings - Yes you have nitrate, no you don't have ammonia etc.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well I'll do a water change anyway just in case, adding stock today so don't want instant death lol

 

[stu40]

Sorry, yes. I was getting two different board's mindset's mixed up.

Now that might make an interesting new thread.

What you adding that's so sensitive Steve?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Only ember tetra but still i dont wanna take any chances 75ppm or close to it is still high, saying that there is a happy badis in there and shrimp so maybe my kit is crap.

 

[SO19Firearms]

Only ember tetra but still i dont wanna take any chances 75ppm or close to it is still high, saying that there is a happy badis in there and shrimp so maybe my kit is crap.

I wouldn't really class 75ppm as high. 400ppm is pretty high. I'm also not convinced nitrates (certainly not at 75ppm etc) are particularly dangerous....if it's got to that level due to poor tank husbandry then there's likely lethal stuff at high levels in there - but we dose nitrates nowadays, we don't let them build up along with the real nasties and blame the nitrate.
And it's all (hooby) kits that are crap

EDIT: I was gonna correct hooby to hobby, but I like hooby better

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well it's due a water change as it's been nearly a week so I'll do one then add them, thanks guys.

 

[RossC]

I had a similar scenario all I did was 30% water changes spaced over a week and ever since its never been above 40

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well I ran out of test tablets so I'm gonna do 2 x 25% water changes this week and that should drop it but I'm not testing it again as that should sort it so ill leave it there.