what are some good ways to keep nitrates low ?

[tikoisdabest]

I do water changes twice a week and have some plants...are there any other ways to reduce nitrates ?

 

[Otherone]

don't over feed, stuff as much bio media in the filtration as you can, increase water circulation thru powerheads, increase the filtration capacity of the water by adding more pumps, clean the bottom of the tank weekly, and keep the filters themselves tubes and all as clean as possible.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Don't obsess about nitrates. If its like 30-40ppm you are alright. No need to get crazy and have at at 5ppm, fish are more hardy than most people think.

 

[jp80911]

drip system to automatically change water 24/7

 

[geronimo69]

Don't obsess about nitrates. If its like 30-40ppm you are alright. No need to get crazy and have at at 5ppm, fish are more hardy than most people think.

Keep your nitrates under 20. 30-40 won't hurt any fish immediately, but who knows about the long term affects. No point risking it, especially if you have fish with long life spans ( my puffers can live 15 or so years ).

As for "stuffing more bio media" into your filters... That won't change nitrates at all. The bacteria on your filters and in your tank will only process the available waste and multiply accordingly. So, if they're already doing a good job ( 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia ) then you don't need extra media. Also, nitrates are the final step in the nitrogen cycle.... Water changes are the only way to eliminate them.

 

[DaxD]

Keep your nitrates under 20. 30-40 won't hurt any fish immediately, but who knows about the long term affects. No point risking it, especially if you have fish with long life spans ( my puffers can live 15 or so years ).

As for "stuffing more bio media" into your filters... That won't change nitrates at all. The bacteria on your filters and in your tank will only process the available waste and multiply accordingly. So, if they're already doing a good job ( 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia ) then you don't need extra media. Also, nitrates are the final step in the nitrogen cycle.... Water changes are the only way to eliminate them.

I agree totally!!

 

[jp80911]

or loads of plants, really LOADS and LOADS of plants. it'll be easy if have a large sump.

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

or loads of plants, really LOADS and LOADS of plants. it'll be easy if have a large sump.

yes a large sump with emergent growth (the plants growing out of the top of the water) can significantly reduce nitrates. Plants exposed to air have access to a much larger amount of CO2 so they can grow much faster if there is alot of nuitrients in the water.

 

[jp80911]

yes a large sump with emergent growth (the plants growing out of the top of the water) can significantly reduce nitrates. Plants exposed to air have access to a much larger amount of CO2 so they can grow much faster if there is alot of nuitrients in the water.

i was thinking about adding some plants to my sump, any suggestions on what kind?

 

[geronimo69]

i was thinking about adding some plants to my sump, any suggestions on what kind?

Educate me a bit... Doesn't adding a bunch of plants to your sump throw off your Co2? I have no idea, as I don't have such a setup, but i think I read that somewhere...