Whats An Acceptable Nitrate Value?

[Jimbob_1978]

My nitrates are reading between 30 and 40, is this acceptable. The tank is about 12 months old. All other readings are zero and ph is 7.5. It a 90 litre planted tank with 6 neons 2 sparkling gouramis and 2 corydoras.

 

[StandbySetting]

Absolutely fine, I doubt your nitrate test kit is that accurate, most aren't.

 

[mishmash]

Lets put it this way, I once tested the nitrates in the water at my LFS and it was nigh on off the scale !!! LOL. 30 to 40 is close to what comes out of some taps, so you have nothing to worry about there. Plants need some in any case

 

[fluttermoth]

It's normally recommended that the nitrate in your tank should be no more than 20ppm above what comes out of your tap.

Certainly yours is nothing to worry about.

 

[mishmash]

It's normally recommended that the nitrate in your tank should be no more than 20ppm above what comes out of your tap.

Certainly yours is nothing to worry about.

Hey flutternouth, can you tell me the source of that information ? It seems a huge generalisation when some tap water is practically nitrate free and other can be 30 or 40ppm ? Going by that recommendation, someone with 10ppm out of the tap would be advised to not have higher levels than 30ppm whereas someone else could have 40ppm out the tap and be allowed up to 60ppm which is twice the first example. That seems somewhat nonsensical to me. Why does it relate to what comes out of your tap when that can vary so much ? Added to that, nitrate test kits are abysmally innacurate in any case and often cannot even reflect 20ppm correctly. I'm just interested where you heard that particular recommendation.

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, now you've put me on the spot! I honestly can't remember where I heard or read it!

It's more of a guideline to aim for, to ensure that your not overstocked and that you're doing enough maintainence.

I think the main thing to remember is that nitrate is not toxic to fish unless it's very, very high (I've seen 300ppm quoted before; again, don't ask me where!); like mishmash, the water from my LFS is way up around the 140/160ppm; obviously you don't want to let the nitrate in your tank creep up that high, but any level up to 100ppm or so is not going to harm the average tropical fish.

There are some fish, like discus, rams, marines or anything wild caught, that are more sensitive to it, but in general terms if you're perfoming enough, regular water changes, nitrate is not something you have to worry about.

 

[ian]

have a read of this thread...theres some good scientific brains discussing nitrates.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/336512-do-you-struggle-with-tapwater-nitrates/

 

[fluttermoth]

Ah, thanks, Ian that's where I read it!