Nitrates

[fish_face]

Hi everyone,

I just tested my water and my nitrAtes are about 20ppm. The amonia and nitrItes are zero. The nitrAtes were higher but I did a water change last night and syphoned the sludge out of the bottom of the juwel filter.

My question is what is a normal nitrAte level and what is dangerous to the fish?? .

My corys also seem to be behaving strangely. They are swimming up and down the sides of the tank quite qhickly, is this normal? They are very new to the tank though, only been there 3 days.

Thanks guys

 

[houndour]

I think its recommended to keep your nitrates below 40ppm, but below 20ppm is preferable.

I personally have mine between 20 and 40, but I dose nitrates for my plants.

My corys go through phases where they do that. I don't know what it means but I worry its because they want to get out!! Mine did do it more when they were first introduced and I can't say I've seen them do it for a few months now (tanks been up and running for 7 months).

 

[CFC]

Nitrate is not considered dangerous to most tropical fish at levels below 100ppm although care should be taken to maintain the levels much lower than this. Ideally the nitrate in your tank should not be higher than 10ppm above that of the nitrate in your tapwater or water source used for refilling the tank after water changes.
Sensative species such as Discus,tetras and stingrays and scaleless fish such as catfish and loaches should not be exposed to nitrate levels above 40ppm.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I wouldn't worry about the corys; it's part of their natural behaviour. They do it when they're really happy too, as a prelude to spawning. If they are always at the surface I'd be concerned, but a quick gulp of air, often by one after another, is part of what they do. Apart from the oxygen intake, I think they do it as part of their bonding behaviour. As you may have noticed already, these fish either sit still or dart about, they're not really slow cruisers.

 

[yvez9]

cories are small but full of energy. They're always exploring something and have funny habits like this!

as for nitrates, as said before, keep it below 40 and everything's fine!

 

[fish_face]

Thanks everyone, that was all helpful stuff. My corys must just be happy fish!

 

[plecoguy]

while keeping discus i kept it below 5ppm for increased growth speeds!