Nitrate Removal?

[doresy]

Ok, so the primary reason for partial water changes is to dilute the consentrate of NitrAte.

My tap water and indeed my tank water are both a constant 40 ppm according to my API testing kit.

Obviously then, when I do a water change I am putting in as much nitrate as I am taking out!

Apart from buying RO water, is there an economical way of removing or at least lowering the nitrate level of the water I am going to add? (Moving house is not an option!)

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Lots and lots of plants?

And don't think that your water changes are in vain. You're still diluting things that your test kit doesn't test for like dissolved organic compounds, acid from waste products, stale chemicals, etc.

 

[The-Wolf]

I'd recomend for your problem either
http/www.underworldproducts.co.uk/aquati.../polyfilter.htm
or
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...products_id=218

 

[cane76]

there are nitrate filters on the market but im not sure how affective they are
using the polyfilter in your filters will reduce nitrates

 

[Bignose]

Lots and lots of plants?

And don't think that your water changes are in vain. You're still diluting things that your test kit doesn't test for like dissolved organic compounds, acid from waste products, stale chemicals, etc.

Both of these suggestions are spot on. A fast growing plant, like hornwort, would be a great nitrate absorber. If you really want them to grow fast, hornwort will float, so it will have access to the CO2 in the air near the air-water interface and you won't need an injector. Even better is one of those plants that will send shoots above the water surface to take full advantage of the CO2 in the air. But, almost any plant will help reduce the nitrates.

And, AP's second point is good too. Water changes also replenish the buffering capabilities of your water, needed so that the pH doesn't crash. It also dilutes out all the tiny concentrations of chemicals that inevitably get into your water, like cigarette smoke, cooking oils, carpet fumes, air fresheners, etc. etc. None of these is in high enough concentrations that if you keep up your water changes, they will hurt anything. But, if you neglect water changes, and let these concentrations build up and expose your fish to them for a long time, they could potentially cause problems.

 

[jayjay]

Bignose I don't suppose you could name a plant that sends shoots above you water could you please?

 

[Bignose]

I don't know them off the top of my head. There are several mentioned in Diana Walstad's Ecology of the Planted Aquarium, but I am more than 300 miles from home right now so that doesn't help me. Maybe ask around in the planted subforum?