Nitrate question

[Juxtaroberto]

I think 20ppm is a real world estimate, as the ideal should be 0.

The reason 15ppm is still safe for humans is that you don't have to constantly breathe it over your gills 24/7. That estimate is based on the amount of water a human requires to intake every day, but it doesn't take into account animals like fish, which are constantly swimming in it.

To keep nitrates down, invest in one of these: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385 It's DIY so it's cheap.

Or you could also get some aquatic plants, just make sure you get the species that prefer nitrate, and not ammonium, otherwise you'll starve your BB. More about that here: http://www.aquabotanic.com/plants_and_biological_filtration.htm

 

[nes999]

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm


$124.00 – OCEAN WAVE SHELL FOUR STAGE 75 GPD REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
This system is designed for the person who just wants RO aquarium water or already has a DI housing but needs a new RO system

• All systems are made with clear 10" canister housings
• Stage One 5 micron poly sediment filter
• Stage Two 5 Micron Matrikx CTO/2 carbon block
• Stage Three 0.6 Micron Matrikx +1Chlorine Guzzler carbon block
• Stage Four RO membrane 75 GPD Dow FilmTec
• Quick connect fittings
• Self Piercing Saddle Valve Water Supply Connection
• Drain Connection
• Filter wrench to make cartridge replacement easy

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75 gph is 525 every 7 days. they make 150 gallon per day for about 200-250. im not rich but i can afford a 130dollar filter. the 150gpd would do the 1000 your looking for.

 

[L021]

Though I'm thinking of investing in one of those RO systems for my 120, because I want to optimize conditions for my fish, in the past I find it really depends on the fish you keep, and a bit of luck with the individual as well. For example, I've seen no difference in CB danios at nitrates above 100ppm (my first tank, not that bad anymore trust me), and when I first had my 55, my common pleco didn't demonstrate any stress at 80ppm. Usually I try and keep mine below 60ppm in my african cichlid tank nowadays, and below 50, preferably 40, ppm in my 120 SA cichlid tank. I find that making refugiums out of putting breeder boxes full of crystalwort (or if it's not a plant eater tank just lots of crystalwort) eats up lots of nitrates.

Do RO systems really get rid of "all" nitrates?