Nitrate in fish only

[sphelps]

What do you guys consider a reasonable average nitrate reading in populated fish only tank? I'm keeping mine under 20ppm but I was wondering if anyone considers that still too high.

 

[Billybeau1]

I think your doing pretty good. My FO tank as been between 50 and 80 for years. Doesnt seem to bother the fish.

 

[marrone]

I would take nitrates of 20ppm in my tank any day. I don't even do test for nitrates in my tank, I'm sure they're off the scale. Because of the load in fish that I have and how much I feed I'm sure that my nitrates are high. Instead of testing for nitrates I look and see that my fish are eating, good color and are growing. Some people have said that high nitrates will cause a fish to either grow slow or not fully grow. I haven't seen any of this in my tank, as my fish are very large and have grow fast, and have lived very long lifes.

One problem of high nitrates is when introducing a new fish into the tank as some fish can't take the sudden increase in nitrates. Some will die within a matter of days other will take a while to get use to it.

 

[emperora]

depending on which test kit i use is how high my nitrate level is with the fastest its 20ppm with the red sea test kit it's 50 ppm i just do a h2o change evey other week and everyone is happy ,especially me !

 

[SW1TCH]

My nitrate level is about .05-.10ppm but i am useing a wet/dry filter that is rated for a 300gal tank on a 75gal. And i am also useing nitrate sponges in a filter bag and it rates the sponges for 100 gallans. And useing a seaclone 100 skimmer with the mods done to it. I also do a water change every other week.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6841568#post6841568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marrone
One problem of high nitrates is when introducing a new fish into the tank as some fish can't take the sudden increase in nitrates. Some will die within a matter of days other will take a while to get use to it.

I agree but you'd be surprised what most LFS are at on their nitrates. My LFS is around 80 ppm. And he has a lot of tanks.

 

[marrone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6846805#post6846805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
I agree but you'd be surprised what most LFS are at on their nitrates. My LFS is around 80 ppm. And he has a lot of tanks.

Mine are probably higher than that. I was at a LFS a # of years ago and he had a great large tank with everything doing well. He would do weekly water changes and after doing a good size water change we tested him nitrates and they where off the scale.

I think I remember reading a while back that the Aquarium in Chicago their nitrates are also off the scale.