El Langostino
New member
My Nitrates are at 10 at the moment, but at the LFS they seemed to think this was quite an acceptable level. When do nitrate levels become dangerous???
What would be considered an unsafe nitrate lvl?
- Thread starter El Langostino
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Amphiprion
Premium Member
For what application? Although it may be far from natural, many fish tolerate nitrate levels up to and over one hundred. Even many corals and anemones can tolerate this level. It is not beneficial by any means and more sensitive species will not tolerate it, but many can/will. For a reef, IMO, I would not let that level get much higher--think the lower the better, preferably undetectable.
techigirl78
New member
Do you have a reef or FO tank? Reef tanks with corals and inverts are much more effected then nitrates, thus 0 is recommended. FO systems can go much higher, I believe until 40.
Paintbug
New member
for fish, they can handle high levels of nitrates. 50ppm+. corals on the other hand can be real sensitive to nitrates. some may die at 10ppm, others may just not open fully, some may not even be bothered. however algae thrives in high nitrate levels. thats why we try to keep it close to 0ppm. if your levels are at 10ppm i doubt it will harm anything, and if you dont have an algae problem, i wouldnt loose sleep over it. but try to lower them. if you havent read this yet here ya go:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
El Langostino
New member
It's a 90 gallon tank with 90 lbs of LR. Right now I have just a basic clean up crew and 3 chromis. but I plan to add about 5 hardy corals in the future.
El Langostino
New member
I want to add a Clarkii Clown as my next fish sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. Of course, I am going to do a few water changes before that time comes so the nitrates should drop but, would a Clarkii be fine with my previously mentioned nitrate levels?
Amphiprion
Premium Member
It shouldn't bother it in the slightest.
El Langostino
New member
the largest of my chromis triumvirate is slightly nasty towards the other two on occasion. he doesn't particularly enjoy schooling with the other two. I would hope introducing a bigger fish might lessen to an extent, his personality which comes from being the largest most dominant fish in my tank.
