What rate Nitrate?

[rajseth]

At what rate does a fully stocked, cycled, Fish only tank produce nitrates. Assume 1"/gallon tropical fish - no goldfish.

Not looking for a precise answer, but more an order of magnitude, i.e. in a week, will nitrates increase 1, 5, 10, , 25 or 50 ppm?

I know it depends on feeding and livestock, but I'm just trying to get a rough idea.

 

[Rbishop]

Depends on type of fish, type of food, how much food, and dozens of factors.

Just test your tank once a week before and after your water change, while holding as many things as constant as possible, and you will see what your tank does.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

there is no real answer for this. there are way to many factors.

 

[rajseth]

there is no real answer for this.

I figured that may be the answer.... oh well - will know soon enough.

 

[jm1212]

the inch gallon rule doesnt work. going by that rule you could have nitrates in the "good" range of 5-20 or the horrible range of over 80.

it depends on if your tank is planted or not, the ammount of waste created by the fish, how many fish there are, water change frequency, percentage of water change, and tank size.

 

[nickmcmechan]

So...can I ask...how high is too high for Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates?...i.e. if I told you the values, you would say "time to do something to cut back or your gonna los Fish"

I know this may depend on the Fish, so for the purpose of this discussion lets assume and Average Fish...not particularly hardy like a Dano or prticularly sensitive like a Discus???

Wouls reallly value opinions on this (no sitting on the fence please!!!!!!!!!)

 

[IceH2O]

For ammonia and nitrites anything over 0 is to high and you'd need to do pwcs.

Nitrates in an unplanted tank I wouldn't let get over 20.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

For ammonia and nitrites anything over 0 is to high and you'd need to do pwcs.

Nitrates in an unplanted tank I wouldn't let get over 20.

i agree. even if your water test come back looking like that you still need to do water changes. there are lots of things that are harmful to the fish that just cant be tested for. one of the reasons i do 50% water change weekly.