What is considered HIGH nitrates?

[j.falk]

I just tested my water parameters and the Salifert test kit said that my ammonia was 0, nitrite 0 and nitrates 25. Is that what one would consider high nitrates? I am planning on doing a water change tomorrow afternoon and I know that will lower it...but where exactly should I try to keep the nitrate level? 0 seems a bit unrealistic.

 

[tjm9331]

Depends on what you're keeping or planning to keep. Hard corals like sps you would want to stay around the 2-5 range softies like dirtier water so 10-20 even 25 would be ok. Fish only you could away with much more


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[bshow24]

Depends on what you're keeping or planning to keep. Hard corals like sps you would want to stay around the 2-5 range softies like dirtier water so 10-20 even 25 would be ok. Fish only you could away with much more


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This.

How long has the tank been up? Did it just finish cycling? If so, those aren't high at all for nitrates after a cycle. I've had tanks at 50+ after they finished cycling.

 

[Uncle99]

This.

How long has the tank been up? Did it just finish cycling? If so, those aren't high at all for nitrates after a cycle. I've had tanks at 50+ after they finished cycling.

Second that!

Those ranges above are right on point.

 

[j.falk]

Thanks guys. It's a newly cycled tank. I was wanting to add some cuc snails to it and when I looked up the snails on LiveAquaria it said that high nitrates are not good for them which is why I tested the water. I'd never really thought about or tested nitrates before so I didn't know if 25 ppm was considered high or normal and LA doesn't give an exact number on what they consider to be a high nitrate count.

 

[Rafty]

My 250g tank is 1 year old and nitrates have never been higher than 0.75. I would have thought 25ppm is very high but I am new to all this.


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[bshow24]

Thanks guys. It's a newly cycled tank. I was wanting to add some cuc snails to it and when I looked up the snails on LiveAquaria it said that high nitrates are not good for them which is why I tested the water. I'd never really thought about or tested nitrates before so I didn't know if 25 ppm was considered high or normal and LA doesn't give an exact number on what they consider to be a high nitrate count.

If your cycle just ended, it's always a good idea to do a large water change. How much is really up to you, but in the past I've done a 50% water change in order to bring down the nitrates.

 

[j.falk]

If your cycle just ended, it's always a good idea to do a large water change. How much is really up to you, but in the past I've done a 50% water change in order to bring down the nitrates.

Thank you. I'm going to do 25% tomorrow and another 25% on Monday to get things cleaned up a bit.

 

[Uncle99]

Thank you. I'm going to do 25% tomorrow and another 25% on Monday to get things cleaned up a bit.

I dose NoPox to bring down and maintain a 2-5ppm nitrate value.