Nitrate Levels - Aquarium Advice

CptGinyu · 06-12-2006, 03:40 PM

Greetings!

Well I have been enjoying my new tank for a while now, and I made it through the fishy cycle with the help of everyone here. I do regularly monitor my levels, and I am curious about Nitrate levels.

I have a 30Gal tank, and I need to know at what Nitrate levels do I need to do a PWC? Also, how much of the water should I be changing to bring them down?

During my cycle, I was doing PWC's very often to keep the levels in check. I am just concerned about causing any more undue stress to my "survivors".

Thanks!

-Russ-

**Fishyfanatic** · 06-12-2006, 04:10 PM

I do 50% water changes when the Nitrates hit roughly 20 ppm. Some say that it's ok to have the Nitrates around 40 ppm but I prefer for them to top out at 20. It is easier to maintain a lower level than it is to bring down a higher one.

R&L · 06-12-2006, 04:13 PM

Welcome Russ

Nitrates are the final breakdown of Nitrites. Not as bad as Nitrites but you don't want them to get too high either. They are removed with the weekly/monthly water changes.

Hope this explains better:
http://www.waterzoo.co.uk/Fact%20she...%20nitrate.htm

I too prefer 20ppm or less. To me anything above 40 on the AP test scale i really can't tell much difference between them so i try to make it easier for me to read

BTW hello from the opposite side of Jax.

joannde · 06-12-2006, 04:37 PM

I don't think PWCs stress the fish too much, so don't let that hold you back. I know my fish are ALWAYS getting in my way when I vac the bottom - they're SO curious. If they were scared they'd be on the far end of the tank and they're generally not. The only bad experience I had was when a neon got TOO curious and got sucked up into the gravel vac. I pinched the tube to cut off the siphon but the poor little guy literally got scared to death and died.

My nitrates never go about 10 - which is gonna cause an issue when I plant the tank ! I do PWCs once a week, approximately 30%.

CptGinyu · 06-12-2006, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the advice! I did a check last night, and the nitrate was almost 20ppm. I might go ahead and do PWC and see what the levels do. What could it hurt right?

I apprecaite the assist guys!

-Russ-

Lonewolfblue · 06-12-2006, 06:19 PM

Won't hurt anything, and the fish will love it...

TomK2 · 06-13-2006, 10:59 PM

Water changes can't hurt unless the major parameters are changed by it, ie: pH. Otherwise, the more the better. I do 40% once or twice a week, and my tank hasn't seen the nitrate hit 10 ppm in a very long time.

06-12-2006, 03:40 PM	#1
CptGinyu Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brandon, MS USA Posts: 10	Nitrate Levels Greetings! Well I have been enjoying my new tank for a while now, and I made it through the fishy cycle with the help of everyone here. I do regularly monitor my levels, and I am curious about Nitrate levels. I have a 30Gal tank, and I need to know at what Nitrate levels do I need to do a PWC? Also, how much of the water should I be changing to bring them down? During my cycle, I was doing PWC's very often to keep the levels in check. I am just concerned about causing any more undue stress to my "survivors". Thanks! -Russ- __________________ That which doesn't kill us, only prolongs the inevitable.

06-12-2006, 04:10 PM	#2
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,254 Images: 15	I do 50% water changes when the Nitrates hit roughly 20 ppm. Some say that it's ok to have the Nitrates around 40 ppm but I prefer for them to top out at 20. It is easier to maintain a lower level than it is to bring down a higher one. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

06-12-2006, 04:37 PM	#4
joannde Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,724 Images: 6	I don't think PWCs stress the fish too much, so don't let that hold you back. I know my fish are ALWAYS getting in my way when I vac the bottom - they're SO curious. If they were scared they'd be on the far end of the tank and they're generally not. The only bad experience I had was when a neon got TOO curious and got sucked up into the gravel vac. I pinched the tube to cut off the siphon but the poor little guy literally got scared to death and died. My nitrates never go about 10 - which is gonna cause an issue when I plant the tank ! I do PWCs once a week, approximately 30%. __________________ 35G barebottom: 2 boesemani rainbowfish, 4 congo tetras, Low light plants (1.5wpg) attached to or planted in my own handmade ceramics - Anubia v Nana, Anubia v Barteri, Red Rubin Sword 2.5G - Spot (beautiful betta - Soft pink with red spots on his fins. Java Moss.

06-12-2006, 05:02 PM	#5
CptGinyu Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brandon, MS USA Posts: 10	Thanks for the advice! I did a check last night, and the nitrate was almost 20ppm. I might go ahead and do PWC and see what the levels do. What could it hurt right? I apprecaite the assist guys! -Russ- __________________ That which doesn't kill us, only prolongs the inevitable.

06-12-2006, 06:19 PM	#6
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,869 Images: 7	Won't hurt anything, and the fish will love it... __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

06-12-2006, 04:13 PM	#3
R&L Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 63	Welcome Russ Nitrates are the final breakdown of Nitrites. Not as bad as Nitrites but you don't want them to get too high either. They are removed with the weekly/monthly water changes. Hope this explains better: http://www.waterzoo.co.uk/Fact%20she...%20nitrate.htm I too prefer 20ppm or less. To me anything above 40 on the AP test scale i really can't tell much difference between them so i try to make it easier for me to read BTW hello from the opposite side of Jax.

06-13-2006, 10:59 PM	#7
TomK2 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Posts: 1,953 Images: 2	Water changes can't hurt unless the major parameters are changed by it, ie: pH. Otherwise, the more the better. I do 40% once or twice a week, and my tank hasn't seen the nitrate hit 10 ppm in a very long time. __________________ Tom's Tank - The web's best (only?) Motorcycling, trap shootin', aquarium site - IS BACK! With a new url. Oceanic 55+,two Fluval 404's,In-line 300W heater,Moderately planted with Polyvinylus Chloridus sp.=the only plants that last in my tank

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