Nitrates

[dreworz5]

My tap water tests 15.0 Nitrates.

Is this going to be a problem??

I will never beable to get my nitrates below25-30 when changing water.

 

[WILDER]

Fine. mine.12.5

 

[Bloo]

You're lucky ! We sometimes have Nitrates from tap as high as 40 !

 

[dreworz5]

i thought it should be 20ish in the aqarium??

or can it go higher?? whats the max it should not exceed in an aqarium??

well anways seems its not a big deal.

I tested in tank that i was cycling and was surprised i read 20 already. so i tested tap, and it was about 15. I tohught that was going to be a problem for me.

 

[Rodders]

Nitrates are needed in a planted tank for good plant growth.

I think mine is nearly 0 out the tap.

 

[Bloo]

or can it go higher?? whats the max it should not exceed in an aqarium??

Around 60 or so - but not good on a long term basis. Really very hard to control or alter in areas with very high levels of tap nitrate.

Tip: when testing tap water levels - always do so after letting it stand for 24 hours.

 

[Navarre]

Depending on what you wish to keep and whether plants are ikpotant in your arrangment it mightbe wise to invest in an RO unit. This will remove all nitrates

 

[dreworz5]

or can it go higher?? whats the max it should not exceed in an aqarium??

Around 60 or so - but not good on a long term basis. Really very hard to control or alter in areas with very high levels of tap nitrate.

Tip: when testing tap water levels - always do so after letting it stand for 24 hours.

whys this?? will it test higher or lower after sitting??

anways know what i hate about the nitrate test kit, is that it is ahrd to tell a difference between 40-160 they all look pretty similar on the mater test kit.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi dreworz5

Even if your tap water has nitrates, you can still keep it at acceptable levels either by doing bigger and more frequent water changes or by keeping a few less fish than you might otherwise. The trick is to keep up with your regular maintenance and not let the nitrates accumulate in the water. It's much, much easier to keep the levels down than to try to lower them once the have gone up.

 

[lljdma06]

Hi dreworz5

Even if your tap water has nitrates, you can still keep it at acceptable levels either by doing bigger and more frequent water changes or by keeping a few less fish than you might otherwise. The trick is to keep up with your regular maintenance and not let the nitrates accumulate in the water. It's much, much easier to keep the levels down than to try to lower them once the have gone up.

I find it ironic that I am adding nitrates to my aquarium, while others strive so hard to get rid of them. But alas, my tap tests at near zero, and my fish don't poop enough to give me the nitrates that my planted tanks need. Still tests at near zero, despite having the system for nearly three years. The test kit works too, my plants just consume nitrates like mad. I'm working hard just to get it at 20ppm, not there yet, but I'm working on it.