Nitrate 50 PPM from the tap ?

[tcarswell]

I filled up a 5 gallon bucket and dechlorinated it. Then I let it sit open for 24 hours. All the regular perameters were fine no ammonia no nitrites PH is always 8 . But the damn Nitrates were 50 ppm . What can I do about this? Is it safe to keep fish with tapwater like this ???

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

50!?!...........

 

[Lupin]

What test kit is this? How long have you had the test kit? Check with your water company.

 

[tcarswell]

Its a liquid test kit from API . Its a month old kit. Im retesting this water right after this post

 

[tcarswell]

Ok I just did two seperate tests paying 100% attention to detail and it registered two 40's

Now this brings a question up for me. When using a liquid test do you hold the testing vial directly on the color card ? or do you hold it back about a half inch to an inch under a light ? I noticed doing both of these methods shows very different results ...

 

[Lupin]

I just put mine directly to the card. I'm not sure I'm understanding the light question.lol

 

[tcarswell]

Im just assuming everyone does this directly underneath a light. I noticed if the vial is an inch or so off of the card it makes a big difference in the tests color shade (Much lighter color)

 

[tcarswell]

So 40 ppm is my nitrate from the tap that sucks!... Im restarting this test with a perfect clean bucket and everything this is too much

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

The EPA level for drinking water is 10 mg/L nitrate as nitrogen = 44 ppm = 44 mg/L (does not apply to well water). Looks like you are right on the limit.

I have to fertilize my tanks with nitrates to keep my plants happy. You should try planted

HarleyK

 

[tcarswell]

Thanks harleyK ! I will do that. Just FYI I always enjoy your threads and you have an awesome setup. What are good starter plants? I have had aquariums since I was 5 but I have never tried plants before.