The easiest way to get perfect nitrate reading

[JK47]

did you use the lab series nitrate removing resin ? Or the special "bio media " that supposedly harbors up bacteria that oxidizes nitrates ? Ive heard great things about the little resin packets that come in the black plastic jar.

I used the nitrate resin in the sacks, not the media.

 

[jschall]

Does anyone know if there is a way to get a perfect nitrate reading? I've been keeping fish for around ten years and i've always had perfect ammonia and perfect nitrite but I never really checked for nitrate until the last few years. My nitrate is always high,even though I change water once a week and keep the waste off of the bottom.Is there a way to get perfect nitrate without adding plants??All input will be appreciated

Algae scrubber is quite simply the best way to accomplish this.

 

[Deaths Sting]

I don't think it's a bioload problem,I have a light load right now.I only have 6 fish in my 500 gallon right now.I have 2 rays between 11 and 12 inches,3 flagtails(fei fengs)one 8 inch,one around 10 inch and one 12 to 13 inch,and one aro between 12 and 14 inches.

how much water do u change weekly?

how often do u feed, how much and what do u feed?

 

[Toddo]

I agree, an algae scrubber is definitely the easiest way to control nitrates and ammonia. Once its established, you won't need to do water changes to keep these specific parameters in check.

I run a scrubber on my 125 fresh tank.

I have used Fluval Lab Grade nitrate remover with much success also.

 

[KaiserSousay]

perfect nitrite but I never really checked for nitrate until the last few years.
Huh?
Could well have been a problem, you never knew you had.
In your previous tanks a 25-50% WC was no biggie, but now you got a big boy.
As much as a 250g water change..Whewww!
I would check the tap first.
Like was suggested.
Downside of a monster tank, the WC.
Just a thought, if your tap tests OK you might want to look into a constant loss system. A bit of a pain to set up, but would sure beat the massive WC routine.

 

[SpeshulEd]

how much water do u change weekly?

how often do u feed, how much and what do u feed?

These are excellent questions. Rays have a large bio load.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I have seen many people talk about fixes for a nitrate problem.

BUT

I have not heard what the actual problem is?

i see reference to having perfect ammonia levels and perfect nitrite levels. Which we all know are ZERO.

But does the OP understand that they will never get a ZERO nitrate reading and that levels of up to 40ppm or light red on a test kit are considered acceptable and just fine?

 

[Err]

But does the OP understand that they will never get a ZERO nitrate reading

Thats not true...I know a number of planted tank owners includeing myself that use NO3 heavy water from predatory tanks to feed their planted aquariums. Also there are some tanks with planted refugiums/algae scrubber that never have NO3 given their fuge/scrubber uses NO3/PO4 ect faster than the inhabitants can produce it.

 

[Deaths Sting]

Thats not true...I know a number of planted tank owners includeing myself that use NO3 heavy water from predatory tanks to feed their planted aquariums. Also there are some tanks with planted refugiums/algae scrubber that never have NO3 given their fuge/scrubber uses NO3/PO4 ect faster than the inhabitants can produce it.

that's right, a heavily planted tank will usually have 0 nitrates!

heres my old Planted tank, guess what the nitrate level's were 24/7!

 

[jcardona1]

a full blown planted tank is very different than a tank with large predatory fish, apples to oranges.