What kind of plants have you got??? some are better for removing nitrates more then others. Lets face it maybe your tank does have high nitrates, and if you are doing wc like you say you are maybe the tap water is high in nitrates aswell. I have nitrates in my tap water but i've a tank full of plants so i dont really notice it as much. Maybe you should look into getting some more plants that suck nitrates out like water hyacinth.
Nitrate increased after wc?!
- Thread starter Atfownz
- Start date
Honestly I got some bundle ones from petco and stuff. Some amazon swords and Anubis. The nitrates are significantly dropping right now due to the new media. Should've done that first then waste time with numerous wc although it's a biweekly agenda. Plus my kits are accurate and there are not the problem.
I got you Afro....
But I think this problem is only going to get worse with 11 4"+ rbp a bass, pleco and 80gal....not dissing. I got 5 sub adults in a 90 and I can't go 6 days w/o a 60% wc (my avg no3 is 10-60) and I keep my filters top notch. It's just the bio load man, those fish produce a lot of ammonia and ur bb is converting it all and eventually its nitrates. More fish more no3. Theoretically if you double ur tank size u will cut ur avg. level of n03 in half....more water volume more dilution, but to counteract that the fish also grow. They are messy as **** even @ 4x filtration it doesn't matter, bio load is like taxes, no matter what you pay, plants are like deductibles...
I think a bigger tank will be the quickest most efficient way possible to lower nitrates, don't waste ur $$ on cure all cartridges, they may help for 12 hours to a couple days then leach it all back in the water column...
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Go S. Vettel #1 rb8
But I think this problem is only going to get worse with 11 4"+ rbp a bass, pleco and 80gal....not dissing. I got 5 sub adults in a 90 and I can't go 6 days w/o a 60% wc (my avg no3 is 10-60) and I keep my filters top notch. It's just the bio load man, those fish produce a lot of ammonia and ur bb is converting it all and eventually its nitrates. More fish more no3. Theoretically if you double ur tank size u will cut ur avg. level of n03 in half....more water volume more dilution, but to counteract that the fish also grow. They are messy as **** even @ 4x filtration it doesn't matter, bio load is like taxes, no matter what you pay, plants are like deductibles...
I think a bigger tank will be the quickest most efficient way possible to lower nitrates, don't waste ur $$ on cure all cartridges, they may help for 12 hours to a couple days then leach it all back in the water column...
¦>
Go S. Vettel #1 rb8
^ +1.
I'm waiting for my new 210 tank from a local guy. He is waiting to set up his new tank. Once he does, my shoal will get a new house which is almost THREE TIMES THE SIZE!!! Im will add anohter fx5 and will still add the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia reducing media in both canisters. I knew that rbps need major care but wow, it took me off guard. Anyways, I love my shoal and I will do anything for them. Even if my wallet goes dry.. thanks for the help F1. BTW its ATF OWNZ not afro. I used that name when I HAD11 VATFs....so sad!
I'm waiting for my new 210 tank from a local guy. He is waiting to set up his new tank. Once he does, my shoal will get a new house which is almost THREE TIMES THE SIZE!!! Im will add anohter fx5 and will still add the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia reducing media in both canisters. I knew that rbps need major care but wow, it took me off guard. Anyways, I love my shoal and I will do anything for them. Even if my wallet goes dry.. thanks for the help F1. BTW its ATF OWNZ not afro. I used that name when I HAD11 VATFs....so sad!
Stupid auto correct on iPhone.. Change didn't with "definitely". Makes more sense now huh? Well I already spent the money and my nitrate right now is some where from 0-10ppm... As long as it works it's fine with me. Have nitrate at 51 and increasing compared to 0-10? Wort the money IMO
Good to hear it's doing better.
As far as plants absorbing nitrate, with aquatic plants it's highly related to available light and co2. Unless you have enough light and co2 for them to adequately respirate they will not absorb many nitrates, or grow very fast (and faster growth generally = more nitrate absorption since they need more nutrients for growth).
That's why aquaponics setups are easier, and cheaper, for nitrate removal. Terrestrial or semi-aquatic plants are much easier to get light to and co2 (since they can get it directly from the air), than fully aquatic plants, thus controlling their growth and nutrient uptake is much easier. You also don't have to worry about competition from algae.
With aquatic, you're generally going to either need co2 injection or supplements (such as flourish excel) and more powerful light to make them absorb nitrates adequately.
You can submerge pothos roots in water (assuming your fish won't chew on them), use plain old dual t8 or t5 shop lights, and get decent nutrient removal, plus it looks nice; though like I said, fruit bearing plants, such as tomatoes are much more effective at it since they uptake a lot of nutrients for growth. I've seen several articles of people who have messy fish like goldfish or tilapia packed into a tank or tub and still can't maintain enough nitrate for plant growth.
As far as plants absorbing nitrate, with aquatic plants it's highly related to available light and co2. Unless you have enough light and co2 for them to adequately respirate they will not absorb many nitrates, or grow very fast (and faster growth generally = more nitrate absorption since they need more nutrients for growth).
That's why aquaponics setups are easier, and cheaper, for nitrate removal. Terrestrial or semi-aquatic plants are much easier to get light to and co2 (since they can get it directly from the air), than fully aquatic plants, thus controlling their growth and nutrient uptake is much easier. You also don't have to worry about competition from algae.
With aquatic, you're generally going to either need co2 injection or supplements (such as flourish excel) and more powerful light to make them absorb nitrates adequately.
You can submerge pothos roots in water (assuming your fish won't chew on them), use plain old dual t8 or t5 shop lights, and get decent nutrient removal, plus it looks nice; though like I said, fruit bearing plants, such as tomatoes are much more effective at it since they uptake a lot of nutrients for growth. I've seen several articles of people who have messy fish like goldfish or tilapia packed into a tank or tub and still can't maintain enough nitrate for plant growth.
