ideal nitrate readings

R

race22

AC Members

Jul 7, 2006

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• Jul 28, 2006

• #1

just got my first nitrite/nitrate test kit from seachem.....what is the ideal reading for nitrites and nitrates?

 

is300zx

AC Members

Jan 1, 2006

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• Jul 28, 2006

• #2

nitrites has to be 0 and nitrates as low as you can get it to be.

 

R

race22

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Jul 7, 2006

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• Jul 28, 2006

• #3

thanks then what would be a "too high" of a nitrate reading?

 

plah831

Am I mod enough?

Apr 29, 2006

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Monterey Bay, CA

• Jul 28, 2006

• #4

over 20 ppm nitrates is considered high and potentally stressful for fish.

 

W

watermelon

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Jan 5, 2006

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• Jul 28, 2006

• #5

Below 12.5 in nitrates, that is the optimal..

 

plah831

Am I mod enough?

Apr 29, 2006

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Monterey Bay, CA

• Jul 28, 2006

• #6

yes, lower nitrates are better. unless you have live plants, in which case, you may need to ADD nitrates to "feed" them. but in that situation, the plants should be consuming nitrates, and their levels should ideally never get a chance to get very high.

 

Last edited: Jul 28, 2006

mostlycichlids

Cichlid Specialist

Apr 27, 2006

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Paul

• Jul 28, 2006

• #7

I keep mine at 10ppm or less but I have nitrates present in my tap water I usually do a water change when it starts to climb near 20. Dont forget to test your tap water first so you can see if there are any nitrates there.