Is it healthy to keep the nitrates down to an undetectable level long term? I've got a total of four tanks that circulate water between them for a total of 69 gallons. I use a RFUG combined with a 2213 Eheim classic canister and a modified wisper 30 HOB filter. I usually change about 5G of water every other week. I added mangroves to one of my tanks to keep the nitrates down. They've barely started spouting and they've been keeping the nitrates at an undetectable level. Both ammonia and nitrites are at undetectable levels and my pH stays around 7 and dH is about 5. My tanks stay well stocked with varying numbers of fancy Swordtails and Mollies plus about 8 neon tetras and some glass shrimp. (I take the livebearers to the LFS when it gets too crowded).
I don't really care if the mangroves flurish, the main reason I keep them is to keep algae to a minimum (which it does quite well). My primary goal is to minimize maintenance while keeping my fish healthy and happy.
I don't really care if the mangroves flurish, the main reason I keep them is to keep algae to a minimum (which it does quite well). My primary goal is to minimize maintenance while keeping my fish healthy and happy.
