Nitrate (NO3) is at 25mg/l. Should we worry?

[FishKids]

Are there specific environmental issues that can cause higher than usual nitrate values?

Could this be left alone without harming the community or should a 30% water change be done immediately? -Cheers!

NOTES:
04/14/04 Purchased 12 gallon Nano Cube tank
Date NH3 NO2 NO3
05/11/04 0.0 mg/l 0.8 mg/l 12.5 mg/l
05/13/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 0.0 mg/l
05/19/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 0.0 mg/l
05/22/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 0.0 mg/l
05/24/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l <12.5 mg/l
05/27/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l <12.5 mg/l
05/29/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 12.5 mg/l
06/07/03 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 12.5 mg/l
06/11/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 12.5 mg/l
06/30/04 0.0 mg/l <0.3 mg/l 25 mg/l

 

[FishDan]

Since I am maths dumb, I have no idea how to convert mg/l to ppm, I can't say specifically for your case. However, if you can convert, or someone else can, generally accepted levels (there are of course different versions of "generally accepted) are to keep your nitrates below 60 ppm. Many people keep them lower (I can't get mine below about 50 ppm, though no live plants yet) and I have not had any fish ill or showing stress or unhappiness.

\Dan

 

[CFC]

Its recomended that you keep the nitrates as low as YOU can but since different tapwater sources will have varying ammounts of nitrate present in them this is different for everyone, PFK recomends that you try to keep your nitrate levels to within 20ppm of those present in your tapwater. Since my local tapwater supply has a nitrate level of around 40 to 50 ppm (sometimes as high as 70 during the hot months when water usage is higher) most of my tanks run with a level of 60 to 70ppm and the fish have no ill affects though i have to do large water changes twice a week to prevent the levels going higher. Nitrate levels are not considered dangerous to freshwater fish until they have exceeded 100ppm.

 

[Silly me]

Fish dan ppm = mg/L

So 25 is not much

 

[Bol]

An immediate change isn't necessary, just for the sake of nitrates, in my opinion.

However, have you done any water changes since 4/11?

 

[FishDan]

Thanks Silly me!! That's pretty helpful.

\Dan