Nitrate Problems: Plants Before Fish?

[Guest22583]

Even though Nitrate is the least toxic of the 3 chemicals we try to reduce/eradicate, it still stresses the fishes.

I have not added any fish or plants and so I'd have thought the high Hitrate levels are due to the bacteria present.

My girlfriend is adamant it is safe to add fish, but I have read that adding plants will reduce the nitrate considerably. She then says we can get both at same time.

On top of this, won't the extra life in the tank be a strain on the good bacteria?

Please help - I'm due to leave @ 4.30 and need some advice before leaving!!

Thanks B)

 

[dwarfgourami]

Have you done a fishless cycle? If so, the nitrates will be high and you should round off by doing a big (70-90%) water change.

 

[Guest22583]

I've never had fish in there before....

nobody said anything about a change that big!!!!!

 

[jayjay]

fish can live easily with no effects up to 100ppm on nitrates.

plants will use up the nitrates yes.

 

[Guest22583]

My little book I got with the testing kit said anything past 50mg/l would increase risk of disease and aggravte them/stress.

(btw i thought ppm and mg/l were different ways of measuring?)

But what do I do - plants only first or can I add either / same time? Am I safe?

 

[dylema]

ppm=parts per million and is usually a mass per volume ie grams/cubic meter
mg/l=mass/volume and as there is approximatly 1 million mg of water in a lt so it works out to be the same units.

 

[mark.w.jones]

You need to cycle your tank, ideally before adding fish. Read all the pinned topics at the top of this forum and the tropical chit chat forum. Before you start worring about nitrate levels in your tank, have you checked the nitrate levels in your tap water?

Good luck