No matter if you are using a freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium, the high concentration of nitrates in the fish tank can prove to quite a huge menace. We will try finding what high nitrate levels can do to your beloved fish and how to lower nitrate levels in a fish tank more efficiently and effectively.
The best ways to reduce the nitrate levels in a fish tank is to perform water changes regularly and frequently. Make sure to remove the debris and other fish waste in the gravel. If you are using the tap water in the aquarium, make sure that the tap water does not contain nitrates. It is also advisable to change the filter pads at least once or twice a week. Also avoid turning off filter at night. These tips hold good in how to lower nitrates in freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium.
What is Nitrate in Aquarium?
Nitrates are the harmful chemical compounds in the aquarium tank which result from the biological composition in the tank. The major source of the nitrates in the fish tank includes feces, urine and excess food. Nitrates are generally formed when the bacteria inside the aquarium water converts the ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate.
Under normal circumstances, the nitrate levels in the natural waters tend to be extremely low. This is so because of the larger quantity of water and the hydrologic cycle. The nitrates are formed as part of the Nirogen cycle. The Nitrosomonas bacteria converts the ammonia into nitrite nd this nitrite is subsequently converted into nitrate.
If you are a newbie aquarist, you may get confused between nitrite and nitrate. It may be noticed that nitrites can be very toxic for the fish. Nitrate too is toxic, but to a lesser extent. Moreover, it is much easy to remove nitrate from the fish tank.
The Dangers of High Nitrate Levels for Fish and Plants
The aquarium Nitrate levels are not normally as dangerous as the nitrite levels. Most of the fish can tolerate a nitrate level of up to 550 ppm. However, a continuous exposure of nitrates even t lower levels can be damaging. it can affect the cell development of your fish severely. It can cause lethargic behavior, faded colors, a poor immune system and similar other issues.
Under ideal conditions, experts claim that a nitrate concentration should never be more than 20 ppm. An ideal long term concentration should be around 10 ppm. One of he huge concerns that a high level of nitrate concentration is that it can make the algae to bloom beyond control.
How to Monitor Nitrate Levels in Your Fish Tank?
The best way to monitor the nitrate levels in a fish tank is to measure the nitrate in tank water using a test kit. You can simply follow the instructions available on the kit and measure the levels and maintain it within the permissible levels. The test kit generally uses a color chart with which you can compare the color produced by your test.
The video here should give you an idea into how to measure nitrate level in a fish tank –
How To Lower Nitrates In Fish Tank – 6 Best ways to Lower Nitrates in Aquarium
Now that we know the highest nitrate levels permissible in a fish tank, we will move to find how to lower nitrates in aquarium through a few easy steps.
The easiest options for lowering nitrates in fish tank can include adding more live plants, removing and cleaning filter media, avoiding overcrowding and not feeding more than the needed. Overfeeding leaves more uneaten food or causes more fish waste which causes more ammonia production. This subsequently leadds to the concentration of nitrates.
It is not possible to remove all the nitrate from the fish tank, but making sure to keep nitrate levels under control can help. You can consider the following methods to lower nitrates in the aquarium. It is advisable to keep a level of 10 ppm or lower so that your fish can have a stress free life.
1. Change the aquarium water frequently
Frequent and regular water changes will ensure that the level of nitrates does not increase in your fish tank. Each time you changee water, ensure that you have treated it for chlorine. Using tap water that has nitrate levels higher than 40 ppm is not advisable.
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2. Introduce live plants
The high nitrate syndrome is also called old tank syndrome. Introducing live plants into your tank should be one of the best means to lower nitrates in your aquarium. Plants need nitrates for nutrition. If you have a salt water aquarium, and face high nitrate levels, use live plants in your tank. Live plants can also be a good option to help control algae growth. Aquarium plants are natural filters as they need nitrates for their growth.
While water changes are the best way to lower nitrates in aquarium, you can also use the nitrate removing filter media for an effective reduction of nitrates. A bio-media that uses the bacteria for filtering the water and removing nitrates can be a good alternative to water changes. Pay attention to the type of bacteria being used. Anaerobic bacteria is more effective in removing the nitrates.
3. Use nitrate reducing media
Nitrate removal media can be yet another way you can use to reduce the high nitrate levels is to use nitrate reducing media. One good example here can be to use high performance filter media. It can effectively help you lower nitrates in your aquarium.
4. Use specific equipment to reduce Nitrate levels
You can make use of the special techniques for reducing the nitrate level in a fish tank. A few good options can include introducing the techniques such as Reverse Osmosis, Ion Exchange and Waer Distillation methods. The best option would be to use the treated water in your tank.
There are Reverse Osmosis units specifically designed for aquariums. You can check out any of them. However, the Reverse osmosis process can be counter productive as it tends to remove the essential nutrients from the water. You can also use the water distillation option wherein water is heated to produce steam. This ssteam is then collected and cooled to form water.
5. Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS)
This method is best suited for freshwater aquariums, but can also be used for saltwater aquariums. This will help you in reducing nitrate through the process labelled as biological filtration. This method involves the use of a device that uses light and mineral rich water which subsequently adds up bacteria to the tank.
This will eventually make the bacteria absorb the nitrates. That way, you do not use any chemicals, but depend on a purely biological wauy of filtering the water and removing nitrates from the tank.
Pro Tip – Do not use this method if you are using Live Plants in your aquarium. It can kill your plants.
6. Use Refugium Sumps
The method is the right one to reduce nitrates if you are using a saltwater aquarium. This is yee another biological filtration method that effectively reduces the nitrate level in your tank.
The Refugium Sumps are special sections within your aquarium that have live plants. The region also includes algae and other micro-organisms. The nitrates are abosbed by these elements. you can then fill up the aquarium with the fresh water.
The nitrate levels from 0 to 40 ppm are generally safer for the aquarium fish. If the nitrate levels go above 80 ppm, that can become a little toxic for your fish. However, nitrites even in small quantity can be much toxic. Even Nitrite levels of above 0.75 ppm in water can cause the fish to get stressed out, and any level above 5 ppm can kill your fish.
However, even when the nitrate levels of 40 ppm can be treated safer, it can get toxic over time, it is advisable to keep a nitrate level of not more than 5 to 10 ppm of nitrate in most of the cases.
Is There Any Chemical to Reduce Nitrates in Aquarium?
Yes, there are several chemicals that can help reduce nitrates in an aquarium. Algone is one of the most common options to help reduce the nitrates in an aquarium.
Some of the chemicals to reduce nitrates in aquarium would include
- Seachem Purigen – This is a fast acting nitrate remover that works with resin to remove the organic compounds.
- ALGONE – It can gently remove nitrates. It is also helpful in preventing the issues associated with nitrates and similar compounds
- EA Premium Pad – This is a good affordable nitrate remover you can use
- Water Wisteria – This can be a powerful nitrate reducer plant.
Why does Nitrate Level rise – The Common Causes
A few of the contributing factors that may increase the level of nitrates in thee aquarium include the decaying plant material, leftover fish food, Detritus, overfeeding, dirty filters, and overstocking. Tap water too can be a reason for an increased level of nitrates in the aquarium water.
Overfeedinng and overstocking have been found to be the primary cause of high nitrate levels in the aquarium. Avoid overcrowding your fish tank. If you love keeping more fish, go for a bigger tank instead. Overcrowding can at times result in nitratte spike in your aquarium.
The Parting Thoughts
High levels of nitrates in the fish tank can be a worrying factor. It can make your beloved fish to get suffocated and even die. Maintaining an optimum level of nitratees in the aquarium is much essential and the tips outlined above should help you make the right decisions in this context.
Check out the different ways to lower tank’s nitrate levels and opt for the best ways to lower nitrates in your tank.
FAQs
What happens if nitrate levels are too high in fish tank?
The higher levels of nitrates in the fish tank can cause a huge algal growth. This is also called algal bloom. It can have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of your tankmates.
What causes the high nitratees in fish tank?
Some of the primary reasons that can cause a high nitrate level in the fish tank can include detritus, decaying plant material, dirty filters, over-feeding, and overstocking the aquarium. In addition, the tap water that you add to the tank as part of water change would also cause the nitrate levels to rise if your tap water has a higher concentration of nitrates.
Are nitrates bad for fish?
Nitrates, as such are not toxic to the fish, especially in the case of freshwater aquariums. However, the higher levels of nitrates can result in making the fish suffocate or even die. Nitrate is much less harmful when compared to the nitrites. However, you can reduce the high nitrate levels through frequent water changes and introducing live plants inside the aquarium.
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