High Nitrate Levels

[Rob0504]

My 40 gallon Eclipse is 5 months old. Cycled nicely in 6 weeks per everyones comments...unfortuately with fish per the instruction of the fish store. With daily water changes, we did not loose any fish.

Anyway, my nitrates will not drop below 60-70 every since the cycle was complete. Amonia and nitrites are 0. I do a 25% water change every including a partial gravel clean.

We have 3 severums, 2 silver dollars and 6 small tetras.

Running a 404 fluval.

Is the high nitrate normal? I've heard anywhere from 0 - 80 is OK?

Thanks!

[Hannys_Papa]

Most people will say they should be below 40 - better is 20.
Have you tested your tap water - maybe that is the reason for your high nitrates ?
Also - how often do you do a 25% change ?

[pugman]

Testing your tap water is a great idea. You might want to consider using a nitrate removing resin in your filter, such as Nitrazorb. You can recharge it with salt, so the cost isn't prohibitive. Live plants help, too, provided you have the right conditions and the right plants.

[plah831]

I don't believe in using nitrate-removing coverups. I think the safest and most effective solution is larger and more frequent water changes. I do 50% water changes at least once a week, even though I have moderately high plant mass in all my tanks. It's just healthier for all involved.

[Mgamer20o0]

i agree with plah831. you should be doing 50% water change at lest weekly. i try to make sure its at about 20ppm. i would keep doing daily water changes of 25-50% until it goes down.

[CaptnDan]

i agree with plah831. you should be doing 50% water change at lest weekly. i try to make sure its at about 20ppm. i would keep doing daily water changes of 25-50% until it goes down.

... and plants. Plenty of plants. Real ones. The nutritional needs of artificial plants is so low that they have no impact on nitrate levels. :rolleyes: The real thing uses nitrates.

Even if you don't have a lot of light, you can plant a tank - there are plenty of plants that thrive in low light conditions.

[YuccaPatrol]

Yes, as others have said, start doing larger and more frequent water changes.

All of my tanks, even my fully stocked ones, never get above 10ppm.


Also, don't feed so much and as often. I feed my fish no more than 3 times a week.

[pugman]

I don't believe in using nitrate-removing coverups. I think the safest and most effective solution is larger and more frequent water changes. I do 50% water changes at least once a week, even though I have moderately high plant mass in all my tanks. It's just healthier for all involved.

It's not a "coverup" if, in fact, the person's tap water is very high in nitrates. Exchange resins are generally safe to use. Your statement is like saying "I don't believe in dechlorinating water." I KNEW as soon as I posted something about chemical media that someone would criticize it.

[Rob0504]

I do a weekly water change of approx. 25%. I'll go higher per your recommendations.

I have three plants embedded in the gravel.

I think I feed the fish to much. Twice a day for 4 minutes...maybe a snack during the day if I am home...only enough so minimal amount of excess falls to the bottom.

Tap water nitratre = 0

Thanks!

[CaptnDan]

It's not a "coverup" if, in fact, the person's tap water is very high in nitrates. Exchange resins are generally safe to use. Your statement is like saying "I don't believe in dechlorinating water." I KNEW as soon as I posted something about chemical media that someone would criticize it.

Agreed. Removing Nitrate is no different than removing chlorine.

As to it coming from tap water - this is very likely. You might be amazed at how much Nitrate is in well water in a rural area. And the levels go up every year. All that livestock waste and fertilizer that has been used over the years has got to go somewhere. Living in the city doesn't help much either.

[plah831]

Your statement is like saying "I don't believe in dechlorinating water." I KNEW as soon as I posted something about chemical media that someone would criticize it.
All right, no need to get defensive about chemical exchange media. It is NOT the same as using a tap water conditioner to make water safe for fish. I'm just pointing out that the most effective solution is usually frequent water changes. We still do not have confirmation from the OP whether it is indeed coming from their tap or not. But you're absolutely right that high nitrates could be coming from the source water. Most municipal tap water seems to have nitrates that are in the 10 ppm range or even less, so it did not occur to me personally that 60-70 readings could be after water changes.

[hike13]

I do a weekly water change of approx. 25%. I'll go higher per your recommendations.

I have three plants embedded in the gravel.

I think I feed the fish to much. Twice a day for 4 minutes...maybe a snack during the day if I am home...only enough so minimal amount of excess falls to the bottom.

Tap water nitratre = 0

Thanks!


I would cut down the feedings to once a day. And only as much as they'll eat in a couple of minutes. They'll be fine even if you think they "look" hungry. And I'll echo what others have said. 50% change once per week. Personally I would start doing 30% changes everyday to start bringing the nitrates down. Once they are down to a managable level (~20) then get into the 50% per week routine.

[plah831]

oh, thanks hike13, I didn't catch the part where he said tap water nitrates were zero. So yes, the solution is less feeding in conjunction with regular water changes. I personally do 50% water changes at least once a week on my tanks. Sometimes 2-3 times a week if needed. You will need to do as many as needed to get nitrates below 20 ppm ideally. I personally strive for 10 ppm and I have lots of live plants.

Also, feeding twice a day is not really necessary. I usually feed about 3-4 times a week in my community tank. They're still fat and happy :) 4 minutes of eating is kind of a lot. My feedings usually last a minute or two.