NitrAtes

[glolite]

Ok so call me obsessive, but I went round and tested all my 12 tanks today for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte. Normally I test them once a month but I got a bee in my bonnet and started worrying about water changes. Anyway, all ammonia and notrites came out at nil but surprisingly, all but one fry tank showed nil for nitrites. Is this ok or should I be adding something to keep the nitrAtes a bit higher? I know high nitrAtes are bad but can you have too low nitrAtes?

 

[Saz]

I don't think you can have too little. I know nitrates are used by plants for growth but other than that it's a nuisance as it stimulates excessive algae growth. A little is okay but too much can be bad. It good to see that you have no nitrites cos that is the killer. Nitrites are very harmful but they are turned into nitrates by bacteria. If you have high nitrite but no nitrate it means your tank is yet to develop the beneficial bacteria. Overall it souds like everything is okay!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Nitrates are an indicator your bacterial cycle is working properly but you should try to keep them under 40. Live plants can lower nitrates and also water changes, some people have high nitrates that come out of their tap water though so if you have massive nitrates that won't lower, test your tap water.

 

[glolite]

Thanks. No my tap water is nil for nitrates. I just wondered as some of my tanks get slimy green algae ( caused by low nitrates?) NitrItes are always nil when I test. I thought cyanobacteria could be caused by low nitrates? Just a thought.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Live plants will lower the nitrates and outcompete the algae for nutrients, if the tank is new or fairly new then algae bloom are fairly common in these sorts of tanks and will disapear as the tank fully matures.

 

[modernhamlet]

If you don't get nitrate readings in unplanted tanks, I would suspect your nitrate test kit is shot.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

my tank has zero nitrates and its doing fine

 

[@ombomb]

If you don't get nitrate readings in unplanted tanks, I would suspect your nitrate test kit is shot.

Agreed.

Nitrates do not just evapourate off and if you have no plants there WILL be nitrates in the tank from the biological filtration. Assuming your tank is unplanted, buy a new test kit.

 

[glolite]

Interesting replies thanks. All my tanks are planted, some heavily so I assume they are using the nitrates up.

Modernhamlet, I'm using the same kit as when the tanks were newly set up and they showed nitrates then, so the kit is ok, must have good plants.

Tokis phoenix, the tanks are all over 3 months most 6 months or more and the green slime algae has always been a pain in some tanks. I've treated my puffers tank 3 times and completely scraped it clean of algae but it just comes back. DP's tank is 40l and currently has floating wisteria, a moss ball, 1 java fern and some rapidly growing green/brown blotchy plant that I don't know the name of. The lights are on for 2 periods of 5 and 6 hours with a siesta of 2 hours at lunchtime.

I might try the blackout treatment for DP's tank. Thanks again everyone.

 

[@ombomb]

The problem with trying a black out is that while it may kill of the algae, it will not solve the cause of the problem, which is an imbalance in the various levels in the tank. I would suggest asking about this in the planted forum where people are very happy to help with this sort of problem.

 

[modernhamlet]

The problem with trying a black out is that while it may kill of the algae, it will not solve the cause of the problem, which is an imbalance in the various levels in the tank. I would suggest asking about this in the planted forum where people are very happy to help with this sort of problem.

[snapback]913434[/snapback]​

I agree.

While I don't know your complete setup (lighting, co2, plants, fish, etc...) it sounds like your plants are absorbing all available nitrate. This is definitely a primary cause of BGA. Ask the experts.

 

[CFC]

Modernhamlet, I'm using the same kit as when the tanks were newly set up and they showed nitrates then, so the kit is ok, must have good plants

And how long have you had the tanks set up? Nitrate test kits are the first to go off and only have a shelf life of around 6 months once opened, if yours is older than this its time to get a new one.

 

[glolite]

Modernhamlet, I'm using the same kit as when the tanks were newly set up and they showed nitrates then, so the kit is ok, must have good plants

And how long have you had the tanks set up? Nitrate test kits are the first to go off and only have a shelf life of around 6 months once opened, if yours is older than this its time to get a new one.

[snapback]913535[/snapback]​

I bow to your knowledge CFC. Bought a new nitrate test kit and hey presto, tap water is 12.5 and my big tank is 25. ) We live and learn.

 

[MegTheFish]

Oh geesh, I should go buy a new one then because mine is over 6 months old! No wonder I've always had none or very little nitrates in unplanted tanks...