Stress, what should I look for?

[Hank82]

I currently have two tanks established and nitrogen cycled. After 2 1/2 months the tank finally showed: 0 Nitrite, 0 Ammonia, but I consistently get reading of 40 ppm on nitrate. Everyone says that this will cause more stress in the fish, but what on earth does that mean?

Please give me some S/S to look for.

Thanks

 

[TheReefer]

I currently have two tanks established and nitrogen cycled. After 2 1/2 months the tank finally showed: 0 Nitrite, 0 Ammonia, but I consistently get reading of 40 ppm on nitrate. Everyone says that this will cause more stress in the fish, but what on earth does that mean?

Please give me some S/S to look for.

Thanks

Well 40 ppm of nitrates in freshwater is not that bad, not enough to really do much. But by "stress" they mean that it could lower the fish's immune system and make them susceptible to diseases, it could mean the fish doesn't show the best coloration, it could mean the fish doesn't breed, it could mean the fish doesn't eat, it could mean the fish isn't as active as it should be, etc.