will nitrates kill your fish?

[Pallen81]

Will high nitrates over 20ppm kill fish or inverts? Whats the danger of nitrates? I dont have this problem. Just curious.

 

[Reefscape]

For nitrates to actually kill a fish, it has to be left open to a high level of nitrates for a long period of time. The actual effect on fish is that the high nitratess lowers the fishes ammune system which then leaves it open to infection and then the potential for death.

Marine fish themselves can live in water that has nitrates up to about 35 - 40ppm and not have a drastic effect on as long as something is done about the level..

Inverts and corals also suffer the same, but due to how sensitive they are, a limit of about 15 - 20ppm is what is suggested as a dangerous level to them.

Hope this helps..

Niko

 

[Catpicklesdog]

As above (you beat me again Niko) plus high nitAtes feed algae and that is when blooms can occur.

 

[Germanman]

yup Niko nailed it. its just a stress on everything and should be as low as possible. mine tends to stay below 10

 

[Michael Marino]

how do you keep it low. Sounds like blood pressure ahah

 

[Magpen]

You keep nitrates low by being doing your weekly water changes.

 

[Pallen81]

You keep nitrates low by being doing your weekly water changes.

i know.

 

[rockethippo]

Not that hard to keep low, just water changes. Mine has been 0 for the month I've had my tank. Except when cycling though.