Acceptable Nitrate Level

[maidenfan]

hi all
apologies if this has been done before,

we all aim to get our nitrate levels as low as possible mine are between 15ppm- 20ppm at momment i'm doing regular water changes to get them down, my tank is still settling down after adding live rock.

what do you see as an acceptable running level for your tank?

is 0.00ppm possible?

 

[SkiFletch]

0 ppm is possible but very difficult to achieve in a new tank without algae (macro or coralline). If I were you, I'd wait till my levels came down to at least 10ppm before adding fish as they will bump you up 5-10ppm easily until your nutrient export can catch up. The best natural means of nutrient export are:

Macro algae
Coralline algae
Deep Sand Beds (DSB) or Plenums

I've also read a few articles recently by people claiming that large bivalves (clams) can process nitrates. Not sure about the validity of that claim, but you never know. They are of course EXTREMELY difficult creatures to keep as they require high light levels and very good water husbandry.

Unfortunately, diatomaceous algae (diatoms), micro algaes, pest hair algae, and cyanobacteria are also good nutrient exporters... They're all pest organisms unfortunately and usually a sign of excessive nitrate production levels

 

[steelhealr]

My take on this with regards to nano reefing:

0-5 ppm The Wizard
5-10 ppm Great nano reefer
10-15ppm hmmm, what's going on here; start mixing SW
15-20 ppm Sirens and red lights; increase water changes to improve numbers
>20 ppm emergency nano tank procedures

I never thought that 0 nitrates was possible after the first time I reached it (before stocking my nano cube). I have now had 0 nitrates for 3-4 weeks in a row. How? Massive increase in growth of my chaeto is the only thing that can explain it.

There are always exceptions to rules. Some corals 'like' dirty water condtions, that is, a touch of nitrates. Simulates lagoon conditions in which they thrive. I think overall if you can keep your tank at 10ppm, that's pretty good. SH

 

[SkiFletch]

Remember, the biggest key once your reef is running with some livestock is to NOT overfeed. Excess and therefore decomposing food is one of the most common and also most preventable reason for excess nitrates.

 

[pleder]

Why not make a DIT nitrate filter for about $20.

It's just a 1 liter bottle with seachem nitrate reducer. The pump is a rio 90 with an airhose. I keep it in the sump. The bottle has a hole drilled through for the airline. The airline goes to the bottom of the bottle. The filter media covers about 1/2 way. There are a few holes in the top of the bottle to overflow. Works like a charm.

I think the fear of both nitrates and nitrites is extremely over exagerated. If mine were at 20ppm I would not worry to much. I know of tanks that run above 100ppms with no noticable impact on corals or fish. Studies have been done recently saying nitrates are not as dangerous as reviously thought. JMO

 

[@ombomb]

If mine were at 20ppm I would not worry to much. I know of tanks that run above 100ppms with no noticable impact on corals or fish.

If my freshwater tank was at 100ppm it wouild be panic stations...

 

[steelhealr]

I don't quite agree with the above post. My yellow Fiji leather shuts down at 15-20ppm nitrates consistently. SH