My tap water is around 0 ppm nitrates, but when I measure the nitrates in my planted tank they are around 5 - 10 ppm. This is measured about 3 days after the water change. I do water changes weekly. Can I safely assume that my plants are not using the nitates (hence the algae problems and the slow growth) and that the nitrates that are there are from my fish poo? I have also 4 - 32 watt lamps and I inject c02 from a compressed bottle. Thanks for any info you can give me.
Nitrates, I am confused
- Thread starter muskieswen
- Start date
How big is the tank? What sorts of how many fish? What sorts of how many plants? Ferts? Water changes?
The fish are at one end of the nitrogen cycle. A couple of bacteria later there's nitrates. If your tap is 0 and your tank water isn't, its the fish (and the bacteria). Without the plants your nitrates might be higher, a little higher, a lot higher.
Hard to say.
The fish are at one end of the nitrogen cycle. A couple of bacteria later there's nitrates. If your tap is 0 and your tank water isn't, its the fish (and the bacteria). Without the plants your nitrates might be higher, a little higher, a lot higher.
Hard to say.
55 gallon tank, not many plants, I think more would me better. Fish are as follows:
4 cory
4 rummy nose tetraes
3 cardial tetras
2 harliqin rasboras
7 guppies
4 baby guppies
2 yo yo loaches
4 sae
4 ottos
4 cory
4 rummy nose tetraes
3 cardial tetras
2 harliqin rasboras
7 guppies
4 baby guppies
2 yo yo loaches
4 sae
4 ottos