Author Topic: Low nitrates (Read 3185 times) 6 replies

Charlotte · « **on:** December 30, 2016, 07:41:43 PM »

For the past month or so my nitrates have been testing at 1ppm.
Should I be concerned at all?
I even went and bought a different test kit to make sure I wasn't getting a false reading but both api and jbl read at 1.
Is it possible to have zero nitrates and what could happen in that scenario?

Littlefish · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2016, 08:04:42 PM »

What levels were you getting previously?
What is the nitrate level in your tap water?
Do you have any floating plants?

Charlotte · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2016, 08:21:11 PM »

The tank was started in august and initially the nitrates were at 80 ppm until it cycled,I added jbl nitrex until it dropped to around 20 then removed it.
I have not tested tap water.
I don't have any floating plants but I have plenty of plants in soil substrate.
PH 7.5,ammonia 0,nitrites 0,kh 5,GH 7.

Littlefish · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2016, 08:57:36 PM »

I'm aware that my tap water has 40ppm nitrates, but the tanks where I have a lot of floating plants have slightly lower levels.
The general rules are that tap water level +20ppm of nitrate is acceptable, which is useful when looking at the frequency & volume of water changes.
You may be lucky to have very low levels of nitrate in your tap water, and it would be worth checking that.
Your plants will be using the nitrates, but I don't have any experience of such low levels.
Perhaps the more experienced keepers will be able to offer some specific advice.

Littlefish · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2016, 09:00:38 PM »

Found this
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/11-fertilizers-water-parameters/183596-nitrates-too-low.html
which may indicate that your plants are using the nitrates in the tank.

Littlefish · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2016, 09:03:14 PM »

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/articles/10-planted-tank-myths

Charlotte · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2016, 08:41:46 AM »

Thanks for your help littlefish

Subject - Started by	Replies	Last post
Cycling - No Nitrates? Started by dbaggie Fishtank Filtration and Cycling	2 Replies 3092 Views	December 22, 2013, 04:24:21 PM by dbaggie
High nitrates Started by Cazzybaby Fishtank Filtration and Cycling	14 Replies 6507 Views	July 06, 2014, 11:50:02 AM by Sue
Nitrates in tap water Started by PaulH Fishtank Filtration and Cycling	11 Replies 5745 Views	October 01, 2014, 02:24:42 PM by PaulH
Aaarrghh Nitrates through the roof Started by Lellynelly The Emergency Room	2 Replies 2965 Views	May 07, 2015, 10:13:13 AM by Sue
Why high nitrates? Discuss. Started by Fiona Fishtank Filtration and Cycling	16 Replies 7118 Views	June 16, 2016, 01:35:59 PM by Fiona
Tank nitrates lower than tap water. Started by TrenchyLs General Fishkeeping advice	15 Replies 7311 Views	May 21, 2017, 08:36:08 PM by TrenchyLs
Zero nitrates in an established tank! Started by Originalspin Fishtank Filtration and Cycling	5 Replies 1500 Views	January 18, 2023, 01:05:02 PM by Hampalong

Low Nitrates

Low Nitrates

Author Topic: Low nitrates (Read 3185 times) 6 replies

Charlotte

Low nitrates

Littlefish

Re: Low nitrates

Charlotte

Re: Low nitrates

Littlefish

Re: Low nitrates

Littlefish

Re: Low nitrates

Littlefish

Re: Low nitrates

Charlotte

Re: Low nitrates

Assess Tankmates In The Tropical Fish Community Creator

Topics that relate to "Low nitrates"

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice

Tropical Fish Keeping Product Reviews

Tropical Fish Market Place

Tropical Fish Keeping Community