Why does everyone ask about nitrates

[Potluck]

I know to high of nitrates can be detrimental to fish but everytime i tell people my nitrates (<5 like 1-2) on forums everyone is like your tank isn't established... It's a 4 year old tank it was established the first year i got it, low nitrates are common when you have plants as that's their food.. I don't get it maybe some info so i can comprehend the worry about low Nitrate.

 

[fish wrangler]

Most of the time low to no nitrates is a sign that the tank isn't cycled. I'm sure if you said the tank has been established for 4 years the question wouldn't be asked.

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[Potluck]

Even after I've told them its been set up for 4 years and established they still say 1-2 is to low and i should be around 10.

 

[ImACoolguy]

Even after I've told them its been set up for 4 years and established they still say 1-2 is to low and i should be around 10.

That's because optimally you want around 10 nitrates in a planted tank. Without this you can have a nitrate deficiency. I'm actually experiencing this myself right now and having to dose nitrates for my plants.


Caleb

 

[lunch]

I've always thought only an established tank has nitrates, prior to being established it would only have ammonia, isn't that how the cycle works?? Nh3/nh4 -> no2 -> no3??

 

[Potluck]

I don't have tons of plants, just a fern and a plant that sprawls across the bottom forgot the name, it's not heavily planted, so you're suffering from Nitrate deficiency which only affects your plants not your fish correct? Unless the plants are dying and decaying in the tank which would raise ammonia.

 

[ImACoolguy]

I don't have tons of plants, just a fern and a plant that sprawls across the bottom forgot the name, it's not heavily planted, so you're suffering from Nitrate deficiency which only affects your plants not your fish correct? Unless the plants are dying and decaying in the tank which would raise ammonia.

Yes a nitrate deficiency only affects plants. Some plants are nitrate sponges and will soak up a lot fast.


Caleb

 

[ImACoolguy]

I've always thought only an established tank has nitrates, prior to being established it would only have ammonia, isn't that how the cycle works?? Nh3/nh4 -> no2 -> no3??

You are correct but plants utilize these and in some planted tanks there can be so many plants it causes a deficiency in them.


Caleb

 

[Potluck]

This is the plant i can't remember the name if there's 2 well i had 1 but it was too cluttered so i cut it in 2

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[Brookster123]

Nitrates are the end result of the nitrogen cycle. They are produced not magically deposited be the nitrate fairy. A lightly stocked tank shouldn't have more than 10 ppm. What size tank? What's in it? Plants will use nitrates as fertilizers, nothing astronomical but it can explain away a few missing ppm. I've heard certain biomedia can gas off nitrates as well, a cannister full of seachem matrix?

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[fish wrangler]

looks like an anubias. Do you have the rhizome buried or is it on top of the gravel?

 

[Potluck]

55 gallon, 27 fish, i use bio Chem sorb in my aqua clear 110, tank temp 80, i have 2 plants that i turned into 4 a fern and the one in the picture

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[Potluck]

Its buried under the gravel, with sprouts growing all over the top

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[Potluck]

Do i want it buried or on top?


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[ImACoolguy]

Do i want it buried or on top?


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Typically you want the rhizome above ground because the plant feeds from the water.


Caleb

 

[Potluck]

Here's my light i was told is not optimal for plants but the fern and the Anubias look fine

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[Potluck]

Alright I'll go raise it out ty.

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[Brookster123]

What do you test with?

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[ImACoolguy]

Here's my light i was told is not optimal for plants but the fern and the Anubias look fine

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The plants you have are pretty simple. That light should be fine. Anubias is very very hardy even in light much lower than yours.


Caleb

 

[Potluck]

Api master test kit, i think i might be a little color blind when it comes to yellow shades unless its really light yellow it might be 3 but i know is not 5

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