kind of a dumb question but how do you lower the nitrates in your aquarium. It is currently ar 40 ppm. my nitrites are 0 but nitrates are kinda high. the tank has been cycling for a month now with fish but still. please help thanks
how do you lower nitrates?
- Thread starter shrimplover
- Start date
Ptrick125
Learning a lot everyday
I use water changes and plants in my tank to lower nitrates.
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Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Did someone say water changes? Because, water changes.
Plants will help, too, but that may take more time for them to grow in sufficiently enough to make a big difference. Water changes are relatively quick and accessible.
In fact, when I get stuff squared away enough with my one tank to buy some RCS from you, I guess I could be convinced to bring you some bacopa.
Plants will help, too, but that may take more time for them to grow in sufficiently enough to make a big difference. Water changes are relatively quick and accessible.
In fact, when I get stuff squared away enough with my one tank to buy some RCS from you, I guess I could be convinced to bring you some bacopa.
thank you guys. I was told before to do water changes. this is a new tank and was wondering why it was so high.
lol thanks, My fire reds are fine and growing fast. will probably have some more ready when your tank is up and running again. thanks
They are high because you have not done any water changes. Nitrate is the final "thing" in the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia gets broken down and you get nitrite. Nitrite gets broken down and you get nitrate. The only way, or the easiest way to get rid, or reduce nitrate is changing the water. If you have had a measurable amount of ammonia and nitrite, and they are now both 0ppm, and you have 40ppm of nitrate, do a large water change and add fish.
40ppm nitrates certainly is not crazy high, although most of us try to keep them below 20ppm by doing weekly water changes.
Thanks guys. I did do a water change last week but assume it was not enough , I will do a 40 percent water change in the morning to the new tanks and measure the nitrate levels in the afternoon. Hoping it all evens out before my fish arrive. thanks