Where do you draw the line with NItrates?

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Ali1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 12, 2005
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I guess my real question is at what level of nitrates is considered "not safe" for the fishes in the tank?

How long after water changes should I wait before testing the water? (I'm using the API drop kit. I might end up going to my LFS and ask to check my water to see if my kit is bad).

Reason i ask is because i have 10 baby JDs(less than an 1"),a 7" pleco, and a 4" pleco all in a 90G. Tank has been cycled,which clarifies why nitrite and ammonia are at 0.But my nitrates never seem to lower no matter what the water change is. I started doing 40% water changes on a daily basis,but nitrates still showed over 40. I took a step higher and did 80-90% water changes on a daily basis, but the reading is still showing over 40ppm.

How much am i feeding these fish? At first, i fed the JDs twice a day to ensure proper growth/color.It's usually the Hikari CichlidGold pellets that i feed twice a day. Once in a bluemoon, i toss them a frozen bloodworm as a treat. But now i'm only feeding once a day.

Filter(s)---> two Penguin 350B, and a 30G sump. Lots of water movement throughout the tank. Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Ali
 
I usually wait 24 hours after a water chang before testing my water. Plecos do produce very heavy bio loads but your nitrates should be lowered with water changes. Check and clean your filters. Use the tank water to rinse them so you don't loose BB.
 
40ppm isn't that bad at all. Unless you are dealing with a particularly sensitive species like Discus or Altum Angelfish, don't worry about it.


Just my 2 pennies.



Also, with that many water changes and you still having nitrates like that, try checking your tap water for nitrates. I get 10-15ppm straight from the tap.
 
OscarRobinson;3091602; said:
I usually wait 24 hours after a water chang before testing my water. Plecos do produce very heavy bio loads but your nitrates should be lowered with water changes. Check and clean your filters. Use the tank water to rinse them so you don't loose BB.
Click to expand...


Cleaning filters might be the answer. I agree though 40ppm isn't alarming. Filters trap debris from the tank and over time they will leach nitrate. Clean or change filters one at a time, maybe one then two weeks later do the sump.
 
I don't even test my water, not even in my saltwater tanks. I only take my test kits out when I see something is wrong.
 
I try to keep my nitrates in the neighborhood of 20ppm. Once I see 40ppm on a test I'll do a water change usually within 24 hours (whenever is convenient). 40ppm is supposed to be acceptable (I think?), but over that and you're getting into the danger zone.

Are you gravel vaccing during water changes? Though even if you weren't, I can't figure out how nitrates wouldn't fluctuate with an 80% water change...my guess would be your tap water contains nitrates.

+1 to the test your tap water responses.
 
Thanks for the quick replies and help guys.... I just cleaned out my filters. I shall wait till 2morow to test again

Tap water seems fine to me : Picure doesn't do justice, but it's certainly yellow

116_0086.jpg
 
BPags52;3091817; said:
I try to keep my nitrates in the neighborhood of 20ppm. Once I see 40ppm on a test I'll do a water change usually within 24 hours (whenever is convenient). 40ppm is supposed to be acceptable (I think?), but over that and you're getting into the danger zone.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't call nitrates dangerous even at 60... once you're over 100 I would start worrying (though I would be doing WCs loooooong before that happens).
 
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