Nitrates.

[D-Train]

What is a reasonable nitrate reading for a reasonably stocked tank? I usually get 20-40 ppm, and I cant seem to lower it, I recently removed pretty much all the fish in my 125 so I am hoping my levels wont get up so high, but I was wondering what I should be aiming for. Thx. in advance

Devo

 

[Merbeast]

Less than 80 is necessary. I like the lower the better. I keep mine below 20, but 40 is ok.

 

[johnptc]

lower is better 40 ppm is typical

 

[D-Train]

thanks guys , ya I'm tryin to get it lower, had no luck before but I think I just had too many feesh in there.. Now I should be able to control it

 

[peaches1984]

I have an 800 litre tank which is under stocked with an FX5, ehiem and aqua 1 running, i do a weekly 30% water change and my nitrates are still around 40ppm??? So not sure what's going on there . .

 

[tcarswell]

I have an 800 litre tank which is under stocked with an FX5, ehiem and aqua 1 running, i do a weekly 30% water change and my nitrates are still around 40ppm??? So not sure what's going on there . .

I have a similar situation. And my tap water comes out with 20 PPM usually. I cant seem to find a way around this besides the obvious denitrator .

 

[devder1]

really guys?
i personally think 20 ppm is a lot!!!
i think 10 sounds averagish

 

[Potts050]

Plants if they are growing fast take a lot of nitrates. I use them to keep levels below 10 ppm while feeding 38% protein feed. I do less than 10 % water changes.

 

[peaches1984]

Yeah it is good that you watch out for the nitrate levels but to keep it lower you maybe want to buy another filter. CORRECT MY SPELLING OR Else

You kiddin?!!

 

[peaches1984]

I have a similar situation. And my tap water comes out with 20 PPM usually. I cant seem to find a way around this besides the obvious denitrator .

See i really dont like using any chemicals in my tank . . So i try everything apart from, but have never tryed testing my tap water . . Duh - so i will do that . .