Nitrates
- Thread starter Mongrel
- Start date
It depends... nitrates are generally much lower in planted tanks (in fact, some aquarists have to add nitrogen to planted tanks) than in fish only tanks. Some fish, like cichlids, tend to be high waste producers which makes it very difficult to keep nitrates low. Also, the level of nitrates out of the tap has a big influence; ours regularly exceeds 20 ppm.
In my cichlid tanks, I'm doing great if I can keep nitrates below 40 or 50 ppm. In other FW tanks, I shoot for 20-30 ppm. All tanks unplanted...
HTH,
Jim
In my cichlid tanks, I'm doing great if I can keep nitrates below 40 or 50 ppm. In other FW tanks, I shoot for 20-30 ppm. All tanks unplanted...
HTH,
Jim
If you do frequent water changes, say 2 times a week on a planted tank.....is it possible to get very low Nitrates?? almost non-existant? Did I answer my own question??
steve
steve
0-0-0 nitrogen readings from hobby test kits are not uncommon in heavily planted tanks. Plants slurp ammonia right up.
Tom
Tom
Tom is right on the money. I have to add nitrates in my planted tanks to get a reading. I still change water once a week just to give the fish some fresh.
Here is an article on the subject, is mostly for saltwater...but can be used for freshwater as well.... (saltwater is much more concerned for nitrates then freshwater)
I have 80ppm i think. Am I worried ...no... It really is a myth spread by LFS and the test kit companies. Its always better to have it lowered, but high nitrates is not all that bad. Its mainly a "warning sign" that shows some undesirables are also at high levels. NITRATES is NOT TOXIC.. read the article...
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dy...ine-monsters.com/front/articles.html#nitrates
Also check this link (the first paragraph and last paragraph)
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm
AND freshwater is alot more LAX than Saltwater. Which means that FW can tolerate alot more nitrates than SW
I have 80ppm i think. Am I worried ...no... It really is a myth spread by LFS and the test kit companies. Its always better to have it lowered, but high nitrates is not all that bad. Its mainly a "warning sign" that shows some undesirables are also at high levels. NITRATES is NOT TOXIC.. read the article...
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dy...ine-monsters.com/front/articles.html#nitrates
Also check this link (the first paragraph and last paragraph)
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm
AND freshwater is alot more LAX than Saltwater. Which means that FW can tolerate alot more nitrates than SW
" NITRATES is NOT TOXIC.. " is poor grammar and incorrect.
Nitrate is toxic for fish, just much less so than ammonia or nitrites. Short-term toxicity (as is considered for ammonia and nitite) is 100-200+ ppm, but is higly dependent on the particular fish being tested, and likely also variable with the water parameters. Long-term toxicity is generally down to or below half the short-term level for any particular fish, so in broadest terms, 50-100 ppm, but any particular type of fish may be within that range, or more sensitive or less sensitive. You cannot generalize for all fish, there is too great a variability from species to species. As with humans, there is also an age factor. Results of long-term toxicity include depressed immune systems, reduced fertility, poor coloring, reduced activity - i.e., a general reduction in health and vigor.
But you are correct that for hobbyists, nitrate is best used as indicator - that if nitrate is accumulating, so are phenols, pheromones/hormones, all the general DOC and the inorganics which are not readily measured and which are also undesirable in fish tanks. Nitrate level in FO tanks is an indicator of the general pollution level in the water. React or not to that indicator as you chose, but it is real and valid. Calling nitrate concern a myth and marketing gimmick reflects a lack of both knowledge and understanding on the part of the person so stating.
Nitrate is toxic for fish, just much less so than ammonia or nitrites. Short-term toxicity (as is considered for ammonia and nitite) is 100-200+ ppm, but is higly dependent on the particular fish being tested, and likely also variable with the water parameters. Long-term toxicity is generally down to or below half the short-term level for any particular fish, so in broadest terms, 50-100 ppm, but any particular type of fish may be within that range, or more sensitive or less sensitive. You cannot generalize for all fish, there is too great a variability from species to species. As with humans, there is also an age factor. Results of long-term toxicity include depressed immune systems, reduced fertility, poor coloring, reduced activity - i.e., a general reduction in health and vigor.
But you are correct that for hobbyists, nitrate is best used as indicator - that if nitrate is accumulating, so are phenols, pheromones/hormones, all the general DOC and the inorganics which are not readily measured and which are also undesirable in fish tanks. Nitrate level in FO tanks is an indicator of the general pollution level in the water. React or not to that indicator as you chose, but it is real and valid. Calling nitrate concern a myth and marketing gimmick reflects a lack of both knowledge and understanding on the part of the person so stating.
its also harmful to many of the snails/shrimps and other inverts that many of us keep. It has been evidenced that high levels of nitrates prevent them from shedding their exoskeletons, which will lead to sudden unexplained death.
Last edited: