Nitrate issues?!?!?!??!

[Bllib]

In the last couple of weeks I have noticed that my nitrates are running a bit off the charts. Between 40 and 80 ppms So I began doing 50% water changes on my tanks. As I was doing this I noticed that all of my tanks are running the same reading. I then went to my lfs to get a second opinion and he is also getting the same issue on his tanks. We have both concluded that it has to do with our local water supply. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to drop nitrate levels without massive water changes? Or maybe other possible solutions?

 

[Dr Joe]

What is the chemistry of your tap water?

 

[Miguel]

Plants. A tank ( or a sump ) full of plants.

 

[Bllib]

What is the chemistry of your tap water?

That I don't know. How would I figure that out?

 

[Miguel]

the parametres of your water.

 

[Neko-Chan]

Like what Miguel Says =D
REfugeremerum! Rawr! =^__^=
Get a Mini Compact FLorescent place it over a chamber in ur sump where u will put Lots of Algea and Moss and Happy Plants to eat Nitrates =^__^=

 

[Bawb2u]

That I don't know. How would I figure that out?

Two ways: Take a sample of your tap water and run all your tests on it or call you local water treatment plant, have a list of the parameters you want to know about and ask them for those specific readings.

 

[Bllib]

Plants. A tank ( or a sump ) full of plants.

Well yes I could do that and I may have to however I think I would spend every moment of my day replanting I have several midas, Jags, and Fh's in different tanks I think they would pull out the plant before I could put them in Although if worse comes to worse I may have to come up with a way to keep the plants down.

I have been looking into several different types of media that I could put into a filter there seems to be a few different ones although most are for salt
Have you used any thing like this before?

 

[Neko-Chan]

keeping the plants down hmm how about those ventaliation screens that u get in hardware stores.. ive seen many lfs use those that plastic ones of course on top of the plants to keep them down, and it still lets light shine in =D or how about just buy like a bunch of moss like algea thiingies (BTW dont these things grow like crazy n u wont need to worry about replanting) and let it free float in the Refugererum =D well with some sort of boundary to keep them from floating in other parts of the sump =^_^=

 

[Bllib]

keeping the plants down hmm how about those ventaliation screens that u get in hardware stores.. ive seen many lfs use those that plastic ones of course on top of the plants to keep them down, and it still lets light shine in =D or how about just buy like a bunch of moss like algea thiingies (BTW dont these things grow like crazy n u wont need to worry about replanting) and let it free float in the Refugererum =D well with some sort of boundary to keep them from floating in other parts of the sump =^_^=

Good Ideas. I have also thought about using fishing line and tying the plant to a suction cup and stick that to the bottom of the tank.