nitrates what are they?

[guppy3]

hi new to the aquarium game. nitrate levels are high ,how do i solve this problem

 

[Rbishop]

Welcome to AC! Mainly with water changes to lower them. Start a thread in the FW Newbie area and tell us as much about your tank so folks can help you.

 

[ODPILOT]

Nitrates are the final byproduct of the breakdown of ammonia and nitrites. Ammonia is produced from fish poopies and rotting food. Nitrifying bacteria in your tank (on the glass, the ornaments, the gravel and in the filter) breakdown ammonia and nitrites into nitrates. Nitrates can be removed only with live plants (lots of them) or water changes. Nitrate levels that are too high are toxic BUT less toxic than ammonia and nitrites.