Nitrates 160ppm
- Thread starter HumanBean
- Start date
Two weeks ago. And not just cleaning its thorough cleaning .I was not happy with the water flow.
I actually hadn't see that. They are saying the following:
"John Davidson documented deformities and significant behavioral changes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) raised in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with nitrate nitrogen concentrations at levels less than one-tenth the recommended maximum nitrate nitrogen level of 1,000 mg/L. They believe the changes were spurred by chronic exposure to nitrate nitrogen. "
I hope you guys realise that 1000mg/l nitrate nitrogen converted into nitrates(what our tests give) is 4400ppm!!
They've observed a negative effect(note it's not death) at one tenth that level which is 440ppm nitrates....
Now who in their right mind would let a tank deteriorate to that point?......And as I said, with such high nitrate levels if measured accurately, if you stick a TDS pen inside the tank, it will read over a thousand if not more. Such water doesn't come out in anyone's tap in the world and you can't get it directly from any natural freshwater source so it's hardly going to be an environment for any fish.
Last edited:
Op habe tou looked into a product called purigen to help keep nitrates lower between wc? Good product use it in all my tanks
Another reason why I love undergravel filters...
The manufacturers of undergravel filters recommend 1 - 1 1/2 inces of gravel in the front and 2 - 3 inches in the rear... NOT!!!
I have almost always kept 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches ( #1 #2 mix approx 50/50) in the front and 4 - 6 inches at the rear. The thicker gravel bed houses bacteria colonies which also remove nitrate and complete the nitrogen cycle.
I only minorly vac the gravel about every 2 weeks for about 5% water change.
Ammonia stays at 0, nitrates stays at 0, and nitrates stay at 10 to 15 parts per million... with lots of plants, this is even lower at 5 to 10 parts per million.
Increase your aeration too!!! The bacteria colonies can't convert the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate if they don't have enough oxygen. Part of the oxygen the use is extracted from the NO4/NO3, the other part of the oxygen they use is extracted from the H2O. Same holds true for the conversion of nitrite to NO, and again the Nitrate to free nitrogen gas.
The oxygen levels in your tank may be barely enough for your fish and the nitrfying bacteria colonies for the ammonia and nitrite reduction, but not enough for the anaerobic bacteria to convert nitrate to free nitrogen.
The manufacturers of undergravel filters recommend 1 - 1 1/2 inces of gravel in the front and 2 - 3 inches in the rear... NOT!!!
I have almost always kept 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches ( #1 #2 mix approx 50/50) in the front and 4 - 6 inches at the rear. The thicker gravel bed houses bacteria colonies which also remove nitrate and complete the nitrogen cycle.
I only minorly vac the gravel about every 2 weeks for about 5% water change.
Ammonia stays at 0, nitrates stays at 0, and nitrates stay at 10 to 15 parts per million... with lots of plants, this is even lower at 5 to 10 parts per million.
Increase your aeration too!!! The bacteria colonies can't convert the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate if they don't have enough oxygen. Part of the oxygen the use is extracted from the NO4/NO3, the other part of the oxygen they use is extracted from the H2O. Same holds true for the conversion of nitrite to NO, and again the Nitrate to free nitrogen gas.
The oxygen levels in your tank may be barely enough for your fish and the nitrfying bacteria colonies for the ammonia and nitrite reduction, but not enough for the anaerobic bacteria to convert nitrate to free nitrogen.
Last edited:
[/QUOTE]If maintainnce was not done properly how can it last for a year without any issue.[/QUOTE]
As your fish grow, they consume more and more of the disolved oxgen in the water and leave less for your nitrifying bacteria colonies. That's how!
As your fish grow, they consume more and more of the disolved oxgen in the water and leave less for your nitrifying bacteria colonies. That's how!
Nitrates are toxic to fish. Just not as toxic as nitrite or ammonia. Ask anyone who keeps german blue rams. Rams are extremely susceptible to nitrates. Most other fish species nowhere near as much. Best to keep nitrates below 20ppm... with rams better below 10ppm, and even better at 5. It's another unspoken part of the reason they recommend a densely planted tank for rams too. Plants use nitrates for food.
Should have said "nitrites are 0 ppm" above. Voice to text came out slightly wrong.
Last edited:
