Tapwater Has A High Nitrate Level

[pablothebetta]

I have a tap water nitrate level of 20-40ppm, which seems pretty high for my fish tank. Surely this means my nitrate level can never be lower than the tap water level and therefore will always be pretty high?

I have nowhere that I can get RO water from.

What does this mean for the inhabitants of my tank? Will they be ok with this? Is there anything I can do about the high nitrate levels? Any nitrate-lowering stuff out there that is safe and actually works?

I do have some live plants in there (hygro, anubias and marmimo balls) with a possibility of adding more within the next few weeks.

Many Thanks

 

[the_lock_man]

Unless you have plenty of plants to absorb the nitrate, then no, you can never have a nitrate level lower than that.

But (unless you have certain very sensitive species) a level of 40ppm is fine, no worries at all.

 

[thereverendturtle]

You could always purchase or build a de-nitrator.

 

[pablothebetta]

Thanks for the reply. Would some more live plants help to lower the levels? What sort of levels would you consider to be too high?

Fortunately I don't have any particularly sensitive species in there

 

[the_lock_man]

Thanks for the reply. Would some more live plants help to lower the levels? What sort of levels would you consider to be too high?

Fortunately I don't have any particularly sensitive species in there

Yes, more plants will help. I try never to let my nitrates go over 60ppm, but anything up to 100ppm is fine. Some species are fine up to 200ppm.

 

[pablothebetta]

Many thanks. That really reassured me. If my tap water has nitrate levels like those mentioned, what sort of levels am I looking at to conduct a water change at?

 

[the_lock_man]

Many thanks. That really reassured me. If my tap water has nitrate levels like those mentioned, what sort of levels am I looking at to conduct a water change at?

Once a week does for most people. 20-40ppm nitrate in tap water is pretty common, I have the same in my water. TBH, I've forgotten what kind of level it gets to in my tanks.

 

[pablothebetta]

I currently do a w/c once a week anyway, so I shall just continue to do that, then. I just asked as I wasn't sure if there was a specific level of nitrate at which a w/c was needed

 

[azza21]

With regards to my setup, i have plants and they have never reduced by nitrates. My out of tap water is at 40ppm and its never been lowered by plants unless i've added RO water. So i'm sceptical about that, then again thats just my experiences.