Nitrates

[Faffer1262]

What level of nitrates should I be letting the tank get to before I change the water? I had planned on changing it at 20 but having just checked my tap water that is already at 20! Is it safe to let it get higher than this in the tank?

 

[Aqua Tom]

What level of nitrates should I be letting the tank get to before I change the water? I had planned on changing it at 20 but having just checked my tap water that is already at 20! Is it safe to let it get higher than this in the tank?

I should hope that is safe. My tapwater is 40ppm & I worried myself silly about it at first.
Now i dont test for Nitrates at all as I have live plants in the tank & do a 40% Waterchange every week.

 

[fluttermoth]

It's normally recommended that you keep nitrates at no more than 20ppm above what comes out of you tap; so below 40ppm for you. Just to put it in perspective, last time I checked my LFS's water when I bought fish it was over 100! 40-50ppm would be nothing to worry over

 

[Gilli]

If your nitrates are high from the tap and you are concerned then do a 30% water change twice a week instead of just once to keep it down. Also make sure you do a thorough gravel vac to hoover up uneaten food and poo and dont overfeed as that will add to the nitrate load. You can also add plenty of live plants as they will use nitrates up.

 

[Faffer1262]

Thats put my mind at rest a bit. Thanks

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with the others. WD