I have testing kits from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In the directions for the NitrAte test it states:
"This test kit measures nitrate as nitrate ion or "total nitrate"(NO3-). Other nitrate test kits that measure "nitrate-nitrogen" (NO3-N) will give readings 4.4 times LESS than this test kit."
So the often quoted suggestion of keeping your NitrAtes below 20ppm is now meaningless without further clarification on what nitrate test to use.
In my 29 gallon tank that I keep on a strict maintenance routine that includes cleaning the filters every week I still have to do at least 2-25% water changes a week to keep the Nitrates down below 20ppm.
Inhabitants:
1 2" angelfish
1 2&1/2" Boesami Rainbowfish
2 1&1/2 " Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
3 2" Cory Julii
I feed very carefully and can see no detectable food waste in the water changes even though I vacuum the gravel. I read about people that only do 25% water changes every two weeks and never reach 20ppm nitrates.
So which is it? Below 20ppm of (NO3-) or (NO3-N)?
"This test kit measures nitrate as nitrate ion or "total nitrate"(NO3-). Other nitrate test kits that measure "nitrate-nitrogen" (NO3-N) will give readings 4.4 times LESS than this test kit."
So the often quoted suggestion of keeping your NitrAtes below 20ppm is now meaningless without further clarification on what nitrate test to use.
In my 29 gallon tank that I keep on a strict maintenance routine that includes cleaning the filters every week I still have to do at least 2-25% water changes a week to keep the Nitrates down below 20ppm.
Inhabitants:
1 2" angelfish
1 2&1/2" Boesami Rainbowfish
2 1&1/2 " Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
3 2" Cory Julii
I feed very carefully and can see no detectable food waste in the water changes even though I vacuum the gravel. I read about people that only do 25% water changes every two weeks and never reach 20ppm nitrates.
So which is it? Below 20ppm of (NO3-) or (NO3-N)?