Safe Nitrate Range

[Riso-chan]

I've been having issues with the nitrate levels in my tank, there for requiring numerous water changes. I was wondering though, what is a safe range for nitrates in any tank? And how do I manage to keep it safe?

 

[Kasakato]

I say 0(planted) to 10 or 20, depending on the fish. To keep them low do weekly water changes, and make sure you dont overstock.

 

[Blinky]

It's pretty subjective, we all have our own personal preferred levels. Some species of fish are more sensitive to NO3 than others, and as Kasakato mentioned numbers will differ between planted and non-planted tanks. It can also depend on your source water - if your tap water contains 20ppm NO3 that's the lowest level you'll be able to achieve unless you use RO water or have another source with lower NO3.
My preferences are 10ppm in a planted tank (10:1 NO3O4 ratio) and <20ppm in a non-planted tank.

 

[qtaquaman]

I was wondering why ppl are suggesting lower nitrate levels in a planted, is it the use of fertilizer?

 

[acefred]

I keep mine below 20 and they rest between 5-10 after a water change........My water contains ~5ppm

 

[Harlock]

I was wondering why ppl are suggesting lower nitrate levels in a planted, is it the use of fertilizer?

Plants like nitrogen. They use it as a nutrient so in a planted tank it is not uncommon to have to add nitrogen and even then, still have low nitrates.

 

[Blinky]

Many people try to keep the NO3O4 ratio at 10:1 in a planted tank - planted tanks are all about balancing nutrients, light and CO2 for good plant growth and minimum algae.
As Harlock said, NO3 is often added to planted tanks. I add fertilizer to my tanks daily to maintain the 10:1 ratio - the NO3 would be reduced to 0 within 24h if I didn't, resulting in starving plants and an algae bloom.
In non-planted tanks there's nothing actively using up the NO3, so it builds up. This is why levels in non-planted tanks are very often higher

 

[Kasakato]

Plants use them so it drops. Short and sweet