High Nitrates
- Thread starter Briceone1
- Start date
If you don’t want to get rid of any fish then less feeding, bigger tank and more water changes.
I agree more water changes 100% total volume or more weekly. You can also try adding some crushed coral in your filter or substrate.
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I know you don't want to lose any fish, but there comes a time in an overcrowded tank where it's eventually the only viable option you have left.
I've just rehomed five big fish (11-15") due to my 360 having a crazy water change schedule to keep nitrates from going above 20ppm, and it's made a massive difference.
Increasing the overall tank volume, either with a sump or a tank upgrade, will help, albeit slightly. Significantly reducing feeding will help enormously, though then it's always at the back of your mind as to whether your fish are getting enough. Increasing your current pothos situation won't do a great deal either, unless you go full on jungle!
Relying on these off the shelf magical nitrate reduction products won't do much for you either.
The only answer is water changes, and plenty of them, or.........lose some of those fish.
I normally do 30%-40% water changes on my 300 gal system (180 gal tank, + sump) every other day to keep it a < 5ppm nitrate level.
But I also use a heavily planted 125 gal sump/refugium to aid in constant nitrate and other excess nutrient reduction, using aquatic, emergent, and terrestrial plants.
Above the sump/refugium.
Below Its surface waters
I like to use heavy nitrate consumer plants like water lilies, Valisneria, and mangrove.
But I find using only a few plants doesn't make a noticeable dent, the ratio of plants to fish must be quite large.
In the sump are about a dozen mangrove trees, a trio of lilies, and dozens of Vallisneria.
Mangroves above Val below
But I also use a heavily planted 125 gal sump/refugium to aid in constant nitrate and other excess nutrient reduction, using aquatic, emergent, and terrestrial plants.
Above the sump/refugium.
Below Its surface waters
I like to use heavy nitrate consumer plants like water lilies, Valisneria, and mangrove.
But I find using only a few plants doesn't make a noticeable dent, the ratio of plants to fish must be quite large.
In the sump are about a dozen mangrove trees, a trio of lilies, and dozens of Vallisneria.
Mangroves above Val below
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