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is there a way to bring down nitrate levels quickly?

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by Anonymous, Jul 25, 2009.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:35 pm
    So my nitrate level sky rocketed after my last water change to over 200. In the last couple of days i have been able to get it down to 40-60. Thats still a bit to high...anyone know of a good way to bring that level down as fast as possible?
     
    Anonymous, Jul 25, 2009
    #1
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:33 pm
    Wow 200ppm is deadly !

    Have you tested your tap water for nitrates ? Are there any ?

    Live plants help remove nitrates and as long as your tap water doesn't contain them water changes help remove them.
     
    Anthony, Jul 25, 2009
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  3. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:03 pm
    water changes and a big butt bag of seachem de*nitrate placed by the "waterfall" flow of your filter.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 25, 2009
    #3
  4. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:03 pm
    yea my nitrates in my tap water are virtually undetectable, and like i said, i have gotten the level down with water changes, ill try that seachem de nitrate... any idea of were to get it?
     
    Anonymous, Jul 25, 2009
    #4
  5. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:33 pm
    You may have to order it from HERE.
     
    Anthony, Jul 25, 2009
    #5
  6. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:35 pm
    much appreciation! i love the other doctor foster site, liveaquria.com
     
    Anonymous, Jul 25, 2009
    #6
  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    MOD_Dawn, Jul 25, 2009
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  8. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:56 am
    Run down to your LFS and pick up some Hornwort. That'll do ya el natural style. ;o)
     
    James0816, Jul 25, 2009
    #8
  9. Stellaluna

    Stellaluna New Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:56 pm
    You need to determine what is causing such a spike in nitrAte in addition to reducing the current levels (40-60 would not bother me a bit, though 200 is pretty high!).

    Personally, very small daily water changes is how I'd handle this current spike.

    There is likely excess waste sitting at the bottom, perhaps getting stirred into the water column when you do PWCs, or the tank is overstocked. Adding plants can help, but only if they are growing very well, with proper light. If you put a bunch of plants in there without good conditions for them, they will decay and add organics to your water column, only raising your nitrAte further.

    Pay attention to not overfeeding and to keeping your gravel vac'd with frequent PWCs, and you will likely see a gradual and permanent reduction in nitrAte.
     
    Stellaluna, Jul 25, 2009
    #9
  10. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:33 pm
    yea, i have been doing waterchanges everyother day for almost a week now, and have started seeing results... the nitrates have dropped to the 20-40 range. My geuss to the high nitrate level is a combination of the fish's waste/ not frequent enough water changes... possible over stocking... getting rid of all but 2 of my mollies this weekend
     
    Anonymous, Jul 25, 2009
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  11. YellowCichlid

    YellowCichlid New Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:33 pm
    They do make nitrate "sponges" but I would only recommend one of them if your tap water contains nitrates
     
    YellowCichlid, Jul 25, 2009
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  12. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Nitrates (Questions & Advice)

    Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:39 pm
    Again my waterchange rant comes to use... refer to my posts over here on this page: My aquarium water change rant

    :)
     
    LemonDiscus, Jul 25, 2009
    #12