ideal level of nitrate?

[bbrtmad]

40ppm or less is recommended for freshwater tanks

 

[johnptc]

see http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115444

 

[1badspilo]

I do not mean to derail this thread but is it possible to have 0 ppm nitrates in a well planted tank. Ever since I added hornwort and it has grown out through the whole tank my nitrates have gradually progressed to not showing on the test. Is this possible? Thanks

 

[sterling_mcdaniel]

I do not mean to derail this thread but is it possible to have 0 ppm nitrates in a well planted tank. Ever since I added hornwort and it has grown out through the whole tank my nitrates have gradually progressed to not showing on the test. Is this possible? Thanks

possibly what is the size, stock list, and WC schedule?

 

[1badspilo]

possibly what is the size, stock list, and WC schedule?

It is a 125 with 2 6" Channa Marulia. I only do a 20 gallon change once a week to week and a half. The Nitrates were at 20ppm consistantly before I added the plants and then it gradually went to zero. All my other params are perfect also. I have tried to different kits and I get the same each time.

 

[cchhcc]

I do not mean to derail this thread but is it possible to have 0 ppm nitrates in a well planted tank. Ever since I added hornwort and it has grown out through the whole tank my nitrates have gradually progressed to not showing on the test. Is this possible? Thanks

Possible...... Hornwort is a very aggressive grower. In most cases you have to have the tank pretty much PACKED with plants if your fish have any size to them. Easy to get a tank full of tetras down near zero nitrates, but just one 12" cichlid makes EXTREMELY difficult without aggressive water changes.

Also, a very large body of water will dilute a single fish's waste and give plants a better chance of eliminating the nitrates. For example, a Jag in a 500 gallon doesn't create as high a nitrate reading as he does in a 55 (even though he produces the same amount of waste).

 

[sterling_mcdaniel]

It is a 125 with 2 6" Channa Marulia. I only do a 20 gallon change once a week to week and a half. The Nitrates were at 20ppm consistantly before I added the plants and then it gradually went to zero. All my other params are perfect also. I have tried to different kits and I get the same each time.

sounds plenty plausible to me....

 

[HarleyK]

ideal is 0 .......... fish tolerate various levels but the damage caused is not always clear or understood

Zero is not ideal for planted tanks ...

I do not mean to derail this thread but is it possible to have 0 ppm nitrates in a well planted tank. Ever since I added hornwort and it has grown out through the whole tank my nitrates have gradually progressed to not showing on the test. Is this possible? Thanks

Matter of fact, I have to dose my planted tanks with nitrates to sustain macrophytic growth

 

[packer43064]

40ppm or less is recommended for freshwater tanks

That's what I thought too.

 

[1badspilo]

Matter of fact, I have to dose my planted tanks with nitrates to sustain macrophytic growth

As long as the ammonia and nitrites levels stay in check it is ok right??