what is a good nitrate level

[bigmatt76]

what is a good nitrate level to have in your tank all the time. i have a planted tank so the plants use up some nitrates but how do i know when it is starting to get dangerious for fish and how do i get rid of it when it does get to high?

thanks for all of your help

matt

 

[Blinky]

Different people tend to have a different range they feel is acceptable. Also, some species of fish are more tolerant of NO3 than others. For a non-planted tank, I would keep levels as low as possible, preferably <20ppm. With sensitive fish, <10ppm.
In a planted tank, I'd keep the NO3 between 5-10ppm.
When NO3 is high, water changes are the best way to bring it down. If it's been a long time since the last water change, start slowly, with small amounts to avoid shocking the fish. Continue changing water daily, increasing the percentage each day, until levels are where you want them. After that, you can use NO3 levels as a monitor - if your acceptable level is 20ppm, when NO3 rises above 20ppm do a water change to bring it back down below that level.

 

[bigmatt76]

ok because i tested my tank last night because i finally bought a nitrate test kit and it was a 5ppm and i was really scared because i have never tested anything over 0 like ammonia and nitrites (they ahve always been at 0)

matt

 

[Blinky]

5ppm NO3 is a lovely level

 

[Kasakato]

Damm my post didnt go throught the first time so I hope this works:

I like to keep my nitrates under 10ppm. This is because its eaiser for the fish to take and keeps the healthy. Im my planted tankes I have 0-5ppm. This is because my fast growing plants use them up really fast.

If they are starting to get high first test for ammoina, and nitrites. Then do a big (50-75%) water change. You test for ammoina and nitrites because this is thge cycle it goes through, to turn into nitrates. Find and treat the source of where the ammoina is comming from. This could be roting leaves, dead fish, etc..

 

[bigmatt76]

ok thanks so much

matt

 

[Dragon Queen]

So what if nitrates is about all that you have any reading on?

 

[Kasakato]

So you dont have the ammoina, and nitrite leves? If not then get a test kit, this is really important.

Edit: If this is not what you are loking for please re-word your question.

 

[Dragon Queen]

I have all the test kits the ammonia stays between .25 and .5ppm, nitrites I have only gotten one reading that wasn't 0 and it just barely colored, nowhere near a readable amount on the kit. I have been testing all three, nitrates are the only higher reading I get that isn't going down, and it's been there at 20 to 40 ppm for about two weeks.

 

[Kasakato]

How long has your tank been up? Are any plants rotting?