High Nitrate? Dangerous?

[ceewah]

Is the nitrate coming out of the tap? I'd test the tapwater and see how high nitrates are there. You might want to invest in an RO unit or something. Plants could be more trouble than they're worth -- you'd need the right lighting, substrate, possibly CO2, etc... and they'd take a while to get established. However, I'm still not sure if this is in your tank that the nitrates are created (indicating possible overstocking) or if it's how the water is when it comes out of the tap.

Will do... I will test that tap water ASAP and let you guys know. I have a 180 tank with 60 gallon wet and dry and FX5 for filter. Do most people in here use R/O water? how much are those anyways?

 

[justonemoretank]

They're not particularly cheap, but there are lots of different ones and the prices vary... I don't use RO, because our nitrate is really low coming out of the tap, and there's no way we could make enough for the water changes we do without having to store barrels and barrels of it. For just one tank, though, it would be more manageable.

 

[packer43064]

Okay, thanks for all the replies. I actually use the test strips, and 0 is probably not what I used to get. I would say somewhere around 0-20? I am not sure because I just identify the parameters by just looking at the test strip. All I know is I never saw "pinkish" color on the test strip by the nitrates.

I don't have plants in my tank.. Should I put some? So is everyone saying in here the ideal nitrates should be at 20?


Thanks in advance.

40ppm is more ideal. 20 would be pretty hard to hit unless you have low stock or awesome filtration. Most will say 40ppm.

 

[justonemoretank]

40ppm is more ideal. 20 would be pretty hard to hit unless you have low stock or awesome filtration. Most will say 40ppm.

I don't agree. I keep all nitrates below 20. Maybe I have low stock or awesome filtration, but 40 is definitely pushing it, IMO.

 

[SimonL]

I don't agree. I keep all nitrates below 20. Maybe I have low stock or awesome filtration, but 40 is definitely pushing it, IMO.

Realistically, a difference of 20ppm makes no difference over the longterm health of the animal...Mine sit about 60 in a couple tanks and not like the fish suffer.

 

[swk]

You could try adding purigen to your system. I love the stuff. I feed my petrochromis very heavily and my nitrates are <10 with one, 33% wc a week. I've heard of people using mangrove plants in freshwater tanks to lower nitrate as well

 

[packer43064]

Guess it all depends, I've always heard 40. I would be doing multiple WC's for 20ppm in a week. My fish are fine though and seems that yor fish are too, so no worries.

 

[Bderick67]

40ppm is more ideal. 20 would be pretty hard to hit unless you have low stock or awesome filtration. Most will say 40ppm.

40ppm may be more realistic, but definitely NOT more ideal. I referred to 20ppm as a target, something to shoot for, hell discus keepers would say that is way to high.

 

[packer43064]

^^^
Agreed, not ideal. I meant if someone asked that question in a poll then most would say 40 not 20. But of course lower is always better. I could never keep discus, too sensitive.

 

[Morcs]

Start a refugium type sump loaded with plants that are nitrate sponges.