help!

[boosted03svt]

what sould nitrAtes be at after water change?

 

[SimonL]

That would depend on how high they were, and how much water you changed...For example, if the nitrates are 100 ppm, and you change half the water, they should be 50 ppm. If you do 20%, they should be 80 ppm.

 

[boosted03svt]

what is ok for the fish?

 

[PeacockBassMan]

They say that 40 ppm or less is ideal for fish. Ive seen anywhere from 0 to 100 and fish are still okay.

 

[msjinkzd]

i prefer 20 ppm or less

 

[boosted03svt]

how do i drop it down?

 

[sostoudt]

how do i drop it down?

water changes.

chemical filtration, like purigen
plants. eat nitrates and ammonia as fertilizer

anerobic filtration(kinda difficult to get to work if you dont know what your doing or dont have alot of money.)

 

[Sab_Fan]

I keep mine down with plants; actually end up adding nitrate because the levels are less than 10ppm if I don't . . .

you should test the nitrate level in your tap water too . . . I use R/O water, so there are no nitrates in it, but some people have relatively high nitrates in their tap water, which make water changes less effective