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Post by babygeige on Jan 8, 2007 15:46:05 GMT -5
My tank has been set up for about 7 months. I just recently got around to buying a nitrate test kit, it's the kind with drops and a test tube. I keep getting around 5 for the reading. Is this ok? My ammonia and nitrites read 0. It's a 10 gal, with 3 platies, 3 cherry barbs, 2 head and tail lights, and a rasbora. I don't have any live plants. Everyone seems to be doing ok in there.
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Post by carlrs on Jan 8, 2007 17:14:52 GMT -5
Ammonia and nitrites are much more dangerous and these should both be at 0. As for nitrates, I recommend levels below 30 ppm but 40 is still OK. 50 ppm while not poisonous, will stunt your fish growth and make them more susceptible to disease. Water changes using a gravel vacuum (to remove as much "mulm" form the gravel and under the decor before it can go thru the nitrogen cylce is a good first step to lowering your nitrates. Aquatic plants such as hornwort are excellent as well and will actually remove nitrates, but plants do no take the place of a good water change. For more information about this subject, I have to articles you should read: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Basic_Aquarium_Principles.htmlwww.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.htmlCarl
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Post by babygeige on Jan 9, 2007 21:01:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the links! So according to your article, under 15 ppm nitrates is bad for planted tanks, but since my tank has fake plants, my nitrate level of 5 ppm isn't a bad thing. Am I understanding correctly?
Let's say someday I decide to try live plants again, how would I be able to increase the nitrates to a level acceptable to them?
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Post by carlrs on Jan 11, 2007 10:27:35 GMT -5
Nitrates of 5 ppm are great for fish. Usually maintaining a nitrate level of 15 ppm for plants is not a problem, but if so, simply increasing feeding of fish with a quality food such as Spirulina 20 (which has a lot of essential elements that will be returned to the water column for plants after digestion by fish). americanaquariumproducts.com/Spirulina20Food.htmlCarl
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Post by babygeige on Jan 11, 2007 22:50:35 GMT -5
Ok, good to know. I was worried for a while that there was such a thing as too low. Thanks!
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