Nitrate Levels are LOW

[mitche8359]

Ok so I tested my water again with a friend's new test kit. Nitrate is like 0-5. I thought plants wanted a higher level? My vals all but died off but the rest of the plants seem happy. Is this nitrate level too low? If so increase it by overfeeding?

 

[malkore]

10ppm is a better stable nitrate level. You'd be better off dosing potassium nitrate (KNO3) than just overfeeding. overfeeding isn't good for the fish, and you have no control over how much of an affect it'll have on your nitrates...and it may increase your phosphates, to a bad level.
with KNO3, you dose exactly what you need to pull nitrates back up, and you get some potassium too.

 

[Guest]

To find the best source of KNO3 go to www.gregwatson.com and order some. Also if your phosphates are low he has supplies for dosing those. And he carries Plantex CSM+B which is regarded by many as the best/cheapest way to dose trace minerals.