crazyzoo Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 I can't seem to get my Nitrate level below 10....is this ok? I have good filtration, tanks are planted (both tanks have Nitrate of 10), and ammonia and nitrites at 0. I don't think I am overfeeding as only feed once a day a small pinch of food, and cucumber couple of times a week. Any suggestions? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Nitrate is the end product of the ammonia-nitrite-nitrate cycle. If the nitrates are not getting removed from the tank then they will slowly build and build. Apparently plants use some nitrate as food, but the main way nitrate is removed is by doing waterchanges. Apparently 100ppm is really bad, under 50 is betterish, under 10 is ok, under 5 is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyzoo Posted November 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 I have been trying twice weekly water changes (25%), vacuum sustrate once a week and clean out my filter medium every couple of weeks (rinse in aquarium water). But levels still won't go ny lower. Not sure what else I can do, or should I just leave as is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Tested your tap water? You really shouldn't need to rinse out your filter so often. It should be set up so very little solid muck gets in, and the bacteria are left in peace to do their thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Chuck some plants in there, java fern and the such will suck it up. I was running upto 20ppm when my planted tanks where going well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RochelleMay Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 I have recently had the same problem with my planted community tank. The little book in my water testing kit says it should be lower than 40, mine was between 10 - 15. LFS recommended I purchase this thing called API Nitra-Zorb which is a rechargable pouch which you put into your filter now my ammonia, nitrate and nitrite are at 0. So that should help if you wanted to add something into your filter. Cause I know I was also doing the daily water changes etc... and that still waasnt working. As far as im aware it also depends on the fish you have and how they survive with the different levels of Nitrate, in our community tank they were fine but in our other tank the fish got slow and lethargic when the ppm was apparent and I also put a NitraZorb in their tank and they are happy again. Hope this helps. Just in my experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 I have recently had the same problem with my planted community tank. The little book in my water testing kit says it should be lower than 40, mine was between 10 - 15. LFS recommended I purchase this thing called API Nitra-Zorb which is a rechargable pouch which you put into your filter now my ammonia, nitrate and nitrite are at 0. So that should help if you wanted to add something into your filter. Cause I know I was also doing the daily water changes etc... and that still waasnt working. As far as im aware it also depends on the fish you have and how they survive with the different levels of Nitrate, in our community tank they were fine but in our other tank the fish got slow and lethargic when the ppm was apparent and I also put a NitraZorb in their tank and they are happy again. Hope this helps. Just in my experiences. How do you know when the NitraZorb is full? Thats when it leeches it back out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RochelleMay Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 ummm mine hasnt gotten full yet. I check my water parameters weekly and I was told that it should last approx 2 months depending on how often I do water changes etc... Then so when I spot any nitrate in my test or after 2 months which ever comes first I then Rinse the pouch thing and soak it in I think Salt water in its little tub rinse and put it back in. Thats what I was told by the LFS. I do have the instructions somewhere ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyzoo Posted November 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 I would rather try something natural.....I removed the carbon in my filters cos that was causing problems. I might try more plants.....see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 A nitrate level of 10 is GOOD. Suitable for Discus and other delicate fish. Most common fish are fine up to around 30ppm If you drop the level below 10 you will have trouble growing plants, no nutrients for them. You dont have a problem, just keep doing what you are doing. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Depending a lot on the type of food you are feeding and the frequency of water changes you will also be building up the concentration of phosphate. Problems with algae usually start when the phosphate/nitrate ratio gets out of whack and can be often corrected by the addition of nitrate (in the form of KNO3) to bring the nitrate up to 20ppm. That being the case it is not a problem and could even go a little higher. Have a coffee and enjoy watching your fish as all is well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 hi guys, long time since I've been here 10ppm nitrate is NOT A PROBLEM. It's very difficult to get it under 10, possible if you have a very large tank, lots of plants and very little fish. I say for most fish anything under 30-40 is safe. My is always at about 20ppm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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