Struggling With Nitrate

[AngKat]

Hi all!

I've been struggling with my nitrate levels from the start. I just tested my tap water and is showing around 80ppm!!! What can I do to reduce this?

Also, my balloon mollies have given birth to over 60 fry and I'm now worried about the increased ammonia they will produce. How bad will it be while they are young? A couple of my friends want a few but not till they can be sexed as they dont want fry. I would probably like to keep 1 or 2 but would like to know what they look like 1st. Anyone know how long this will take? I will donate all the others to my lfs.

 

[ctsv510]

My tap water tested 40-80 ppm too with my API test kit. I had a professional test done and the result was 4.4 ppm. Nitrate tests can be very inaccurate depending on a lot of factors, but what type of test are you using?

 

[Tizer]

dont worry about it, its not a problem until it gets into the higher levels, ideally yes, you want to to be lower, but not a lot you can do. My tanks probably around 80 all the time.

 

[AngKat]

I'm using the API test too. My tank water is slightly darker red than the tap but hard to get an exact reading as it doesn't really match any of the shades on the card. Would plants help?

 

[Tizer]

only if you jam packed the tank with them weekly water changes will bring it down to your tap water level in time. how big is the tank?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

where about are you? i belive the legal limit for the uk is 40PPM. more then likley the tat of test kit os incorrect

 

[Mikaila31]

Make sure you really really shake the tubes. Also I recommend shaking the #2 reagent bottle for twice as long as it suggests. Even then nitrate kits are very inaccurate especially as you get into higher concentrations. The legal drinking water limit for nitrate in the US is 44ppm.

 

[AngKat]

The tank is 54L. I live in London UK. I shake bottle #2 for well over the recommended time and have even tried banging it loads on the table and wall. I guess it's just a dud test then!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Test your tap water again then call your local water to advise

 

[Mikaila31]

You can also buy a gallon of RO water and test that. If it doesn't read 0ppm then there is a problem with the kit. Similarly mixing measured amounts of your tap and the RO should help verify the nitrate levels in your tap. For example mixing equal amounts of RO and tap should have a nitrate reading that is half that in your tap. Mixing 1 part tap to 3 parts RO should give you a reading that is 1/4 that of your tap. This method IMO doesn't add much inaccuracy since its quite difficult to color match the upper scale of the nitrate test, the lower scale is much easier.

 

[AngKat]

Thanks for that. Where can I get RO water?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Thanks for that. Where can I get RO water?

Most LFS sell it for £2 per 25L, ask nice they might fill a 500ml bottle up for to test with

 

[AngKat]

Cool! Thank you!!