Nitrate Level

[dazdubz]

hi all could someone help me about my nitrate level im doing my first cycle and been checking water daily i have 3 zebras and they been in my 20g tank for 3 days everything seems to be going well apart from my nitrate level here are my test results
tank
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 75-100
ph =7.2
ive done daily water changes of about 40% to get the nitrates down but it is always the same results so tested the tap water and here are the results
nitrite = 0.5
nitrate = 75 ish
ph = 7
everything else is the same as the tank result ie gh kh is this going to be a problem for my fish or are the nitrate levels okish thanks in advance
darren

 

[Paul_MTS]

it depends on what fish you want to keep really.

anything sensitive like dwarf cichlids, some plecs, quite a few catfish and most oddballs will perish in high nitrates.

to get round this you may have to use a water purifier like a RO unit to run your water through before adding to you tank. There's several chemical based products which will reduce nitrates.

 

[WILDER]

Plus lots of live plants help reduce nitrates.

 

[dazdubz]

Plus lots of live plants help reduce nitrates.

thanks for the quick replys
i hope to get some sort of water treatment tommorrow any recomendations also a few more live plants also what sort of fish coul i get i was hoping on getting a albino rainbow shark and a few others

 

[WILDER]

Sharks out of the question i'm afraid in a 20gal, you will need a 40gal for that type of shark.

http/species.fishindex.com/species_3233e...nbow_shark.html

 

[Joviella]

You don't say where you live....... nitrate reading on your tap water depend on where your water comes from in my experience.

 

[rdd1952]

I would get another test kit as it sounds like yours may be old and inaccurate. I have read in several places that they can become very inaccurate when they get old. Also, are you using liguid or strip tests? Strips are terribly inaccurate also. I doubt that the tap reading is actually that high as it would be dangerous for human consumption, especially infants. If you get a new kit and it still measures that high, call your local water company and ask them what the level should be. It could be something in the pipes in your area that they aren't aware of.

 

[Joviella]

I would get another test kit as it sounds like yours may be old and inaccurate. I have read in several places that they can become very inaccurate when they get old. Also, are you using liguid or strip tests? Strips are terribly inaccurate also. I doubt that the tap reading is actually that high as it would be dangerous for human consumption, especially infants. If you get a new kit and it still measures that high, call your local water company and ask them what the level should be. It could be something in the pipes in your area that they aren't aware of.

In London,uk the tap water is often 70ppm nitrates. The water board says this is within legal limits.I guess thats why we boil any water we give to babies under 1 year old.

 

[WILDER]

Wow that's high, mine's 12.5.

 

[rdd1952]

In London,uk the tap water is often 70ppm nitrates. The water board says this is within legal limits.I guess thats why we boil any water we give to babies under 1 year old.

Actually, according to this site, boiling water makes the concentration of nitrate worse. See the section "Reactive Actions".

 

[Paul_MTS]

even heavily planting the tank only reduces the nitrate levels a small ammount and won't happen over night.

if you wish to keep sensitve fish you will need to add a chemical or use a purifier. I'm afraid I don't know of any products that are particularly good.

API make a product called Nitra-Zorb and Interpet make Nitrate Minus.

as previous people have said get a 2nd opinion on the nitrate reading to be sure before spending out on chemicals.

 

[dazdubz]

hi all thanks again
first off im using the test strips also im from luton not to far from london i shall get a different test kit tommorrow and then try that, apparantly the water is quite poor arourd here so the result could be correct, any ideas on what fish to have is welcomed thanks

 

[Paul_MTS]

the hardier tetras, gourami, barbs, live bearers and things like danios will be fine in there.

make sure you get a liquid test kit.

 

[jimbooo]

hi all thanks again
first off im using the test strips also im from luton not to far from london i shall get a different test kit tommorrow and then try that, apparantly the water is quite poor arourd here so the result could be correct, any ideas on what fish to have is welcomed thanks

i'm in hertford and the nitrates 12.5 (from the tap) here. dont use the strips, buy a nitrAte test kit (the liquid ones)

my tanks have 0 nitrAte, i actually add it daily to feed the plants.

 

[RedStarCommie]

Plus lots of live plants help reduce nitrates.

What do you mean by "alot"?

I mean is there an equation with plants to fish by the size of the tank?

Wouldnt do any harm to get a few more live plants I guess, thanks.