NITRATE HELP !!!! (Sorry if this has already been asked)

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DDOTRUSH

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 24, 2015
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Ok so first my setup

Tank size : 5ft x 3ft x 2ft 870 Litres

Filtration : 2 x Fluval Fx5

Led Lights and 1 x 300w heater keeping tank around 27C

Ok so for ages since keeping fish i have had a constant battle with nitrates and i need some advice on my best options as its time to invest in getting this sorted.

My tap water comes out at 50ppm no less no more always the same 365 days a year this water is what i use for my tanks never lost a fish might i add and i have had and have rays arows datnoids etc etc

so really i just want some good advice on best and easiest process to get normal perfect water and process

i have heard and interested in nitrate reactors ?

let me know many thanks
 
For adult fish, I haven't seen any study showing 200 ppm or less to be a problem. I recall seeing studies where there are some species that can be strongly affected by metrics of 400+ ppm, iirc, whiles others can live with 1,000 ppm.

Over a very long time, nitrates might affect something that indirectly affects health, but that's a conjecture. And fry do seem to be more damaged by moderate levels of nitrates than adults, so people trying to breed certainly have a concern.

That doesn't mean that it's wrong to strive to keep nitrates down low (as in below 20 ppm.) But I don't think there is any study showing that 20 ppm is better than 100 ppm or worse than 5 ppm for most adult species.


However, if you want to control nitrates to a greater extent, then

1) add plants like pothos
2) reduce stocking levels
3) try using substances like Purigen
4) cut down on protein content in the foods
 
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So basiclly what ypue saying is I should be fine with keeping regular and consitent with water quality and changes ?
 
DDOTRUSH said:
So basiclly what ypue saying is I should be fine with keeping regular and consitent with water quality and changes ?
Click to expand...

Water changes will only keep you at 50ppm no matter what you do. You could install a RO system and not have to contend with a constant 50ppm nitrate level, but cost is a factor at that point. Like said earlier and I tend to agree, your nitrate constant isn't really abnormally high. I don't really see any alternative other than nitrate reducing
media, plants (for a marginal reduction) and RO water....
 
50 ppm out of the tap is high, but as stated nothing you can do about that,I strive to keep the nitrates at 70ppm or lower with 50ppm being your base line.
 
for Oscars and the such the studies show that constant nitrate over 23ppm starts to do internal DMG for time, this why the try to keep nitrates no higher than 20ppm. obviously not something you can do.
 
You can buy or build a denitrator. Tons of info on google. They seem to require a lot of attention to make them work properly.
 
Nitrate removing media in a large reactor would do a great service to your setup and your fish will thank you. Seachem makes de-nitrate and it works amazingly well. It does require proper seasoning but will last a very long time and will remove substantial nitrate.
 
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