How to lower nitrates when tap water is already 20 ppm.

[boldtogether]

I read that thread. What were you referring to that works well?

Seachem De-nitrate.
There is also Nitra Zorb from API...

 

[Chicxulub]

The great thing about pothos is that it doesn't need a lot of lighting, just warmer air temp

This is true. I had my pothos colony in one of those 55-70 gallon Tetra HOBs that is otherwise pretty much useless. The plants were above my tank. The only light that they got was light reflected up from the tank and the dim ambient light that was occasionally turned on in the room.

Regardless of the low lighting, the plants still grew like weeds and did a fantastic job of sucking the nitrate out of the system. Even with several very large fish in the 150 in question, nitrate almost never got above 10ppm.

It's worth considering. I FIRMLY believe in pothos lol

 

[spiff44]

Is pothos poisonous for Pearsei cichilds and silver dollars?

 

[xraycer]

Is pothos poisonous for Pearsei cichilds and silver dollars?

I had a green sev that ate a large leaf that grew too close to the waters surface and it didn't seem to have any negative effect on him that I could see

 

[spiff44]

Thanks.. yeah, did a bit of reading and there doesn't seem to be any solid evidence either way. I'm thinking of trying some out but I know the fish will be keeping it trimmed at the water level but I worry about the Pearsei's jumping up and pulling large parts or the whole plant in. A little nibble probably not so bad, but a whole stomach full might do something.

My Pearsei's definitely have a thing for looking for food above the water line.

I guess I'll wait for more info.

 

[pops]

tap nitrates at 20, I would look to keeping them at 40 or less. studies show long term dmg happens at 23ppm, depending what fish you have, do the water changes and think you are OK.

 

[xraycer]

I highly recommend you take the time and energy and set up pothos or a refugium because I strongly believe plants remove more harmful components than just nitrates. The fact that many water treatment facilities utilizes plants to recycled sewerage water into drinking water again speaks volume

 

[rich4297]

Here's my setup so far. Trying 3 different methods to see what works best. In the 36 I put the roots directly in the tank

In the 90 I put it in an aqua clear 70

In the 150 I put it in the sump

 

[Chicxulub]

Let us know how it goes! I think the 90 will be particularly successful because of the lights reflecting out of the tank onto the wall. If the one on the 150 doens't take off, consider adding a small light over it. They don't require much light, but can't be in complete dark.

There will be a period of adaptation for the plants. They'll likely lose their roots then regrow new ones after the transplant. That's normal.

 

[rich4297]

Let us know how it goes! I think the 90 will be particularly successful because of the lights reflecting out of the tank onto the wall. If the one on the 150 doens't take off, consider adding a small light over it. They don't require much light, but can't be in complete dark.

There will be a period of adaptation for the plants. They'll likely lose their roots then regrow new ones after the transplant. That's normal.

I put a light on the back of 150