Although nitrate is a good target parameter, and the only practical one to test for, I also agree with xraycer that there are other things to consider that are those other components really not testable.
Doing water changes also remove hormones, pheromones, aldehydes and other metabolism byproducts. But water changes not only remove, but replace buffering compounds, and other components that can help with tank health.
Because it is the only reliable, readily available and inexpensive test, my target nitrate is between 5 and 10 ppm, and with that number I figure I'm also dealing with the other above.
And as jclyde13 stated, for an inexpensive nitrate removal system, pothos is a great addition. My pothos below.
Doing water changes also remove hormones, pheromones, aldehydes and other metabolism byproducts. But water changes not only remove, but replace buffering compounds, and other components that can help with tank health.
Because it is the only reliable, readily available and inexpensive test, my target nitrate is between 5 and 10 ppm, and with that number I figure I'm also dealing with the other above.
And as jclyde13 stated, for an inexpensive nitrate removal system, pothos is a great addition. My pothos below.
