Planted Tank w RO water

[caseynewton]

Hi,

I'm Casey, started a planted 100g tank. Planted, discus, tetras, pleco. I was wondering everyone's opinion.

I use RO water and add Discus Essentials to add appropriate minerals for fish. I started using plant fertilizer, Kent Pro-Plant. It raises my nitrate level. So in trying to keep my nitrates below 20 ppm. It automatically adds near 20 ppm to my tank, so it makes me think I need to continue to do water changes.

Question: Is this artificially screwing with my nitrate drop testing kit? Is it truly raising my nitrates? Should I stop using and let the fish create natural nitrates for plants?

Thanks for all possible help.

 

[new to the scene]

in my opinion i dont think you need it to raise your nitrates i personally find it quite easy for them to get high all by themselves. when doing this just make sure you are doing your water changes to remove nitrates keeping them in check. i would think it would add nitrates and make your test kit show it.

 

[caseynewton]

Thanks. Yea I stopped added this and it is much easier to control my nitrates.