Dealing with nitrate

[Wills]

Had a bit of an idea of an ‘easy’ way to deal with nitrate in tap water but wanted to run it past you first.

I can’t remember the thread but @mbsqw1d shared a page from Diane Walsteds book about plants that feed primarily from nitrates rather than other nutrients and the most readily available is the foreground plant littorella uniflora

Littorella uniflora - Tropica Aquarium Plants

The right aquarium plants

tropica.com

So my thinking is if I planted this and used Seachem Prime to neutralise the nitrate in my tap water at a water change, if I plant densely enough this plant will take the nitrate out of the water as the Prime wears off leaving me with negligible levels of nitrate if any between water changes.

Does this make sense? Or am I dreaming?

Wills

 

[mhancock]

I believe that the Walsted method is to use plants possibly even instead of filtration, but this would mean VERY low stocking levels indeed.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Are you running co2 on this one? If so then that could help bring the NO3 down, otherwise I think floating or ermersed plants will lower N the most effectively. Would you consider using pothos?
Agree that v.low stocking levels would need to be adhered to otherwise I just don't think plants will work fast enough, regardless of their N preference.

 

[Wills]

I believe that the Walsted method is to use plants possibly even instead of filtration, but this would mean VERY low stocking levels indeed.

It won’t be the Walstad method but using a plant mentioned in her book for nitrate. My plan is to be lightly stocked but I have nitrate in my tap water I use a pre filter but it’s so slow and I’d prefer to find a different way. I was thinking it might work because of the way prime would detoxify they nitrate and then release it back into the tank over a few day’s in which time the plant would use it as food with nitrate being its primary nutrient.

Does that make sense?

 

[Wills]

Are you running co2 on this one? If so then that could help bring the NO3 down, otherwise I think floating or ermersed plants will lower N the most effectively. Would you consider using pothos?
Agree that v.low stocking levels would need to be adhered to otherwise I just don't think plants will work fast enough, regardless of their N preference.

Yes it’s my high tech tank I’m wanting but would use the same idea in a low tech too. I’ve thought of using pothos but thought this could be a good starting point.

 

[mbsqw1d]

How high is NO3 in your tap water?

Do we know if plants can use the form of N that Prime renders non-toxic? If not, then yes hopefully the change back is gradual and as you say, the plants can uptake it equally as gradual. It does make sense!


BTW this was the post with the Walstad list

Tap Water

Hello. Quick question. Is this stuff used for water changes. As in, does it turn tap water into safe water for fish. I got it ages ago and forgot what it is. The reason I'm posting this is that I've half done a water change in my 180l and I've run out of tap water conditioner. :whistle: Here's...

www.fishforums.net

 

[Wills]

It’s around 25ppm. I tried a week without the filter and it dropped to around 15ppm in 6-7 days between water changes.

 

[AbbeysDad]

@mhancock is correct - the Dianna Walstad's method only works with a LOT of plants and very few fish. Quite unlike the average freshwater aquarium.
The marketing for Prime indicates that it 'detoxifies' nitrates, but only for 24-48 hours, so it's rather uncertain that for high nitrates in tap water, it has much real value.
So plants that readily use nitrates help. And all plants, especially fast growing floating plants will aid in lowering tank nitrates as they use ammonia so it's not converted to nitrites then nitrates. You can also take measures for Lowering Aquarium Nitrates.
You might also leverage using pouches of API Nitra-Zorb, a highly effective resin that adsorbs nitrates and is rechargeable over and over with ordinary salt water. See My Nitrate Fight and other good Water Quality posts on my Blog.
Good luck.

 

[mbsqw1d]

It’s around 25ppm. I tried a week without the filter and it dropped to around 15ppm in 6-7 days between water changes.

That sounds like a reasonable level, is the aim to get below 15ppm or to get there quicker than 6-7 days?

 

[Wills]

I’d like to get it lower faster feels like then I’ll be in the realms of most other fish keepers. I have to remind myself that since we moved I’m not dealing with 40+ from the tap and it is 20-25 now which while not ideal is not too bad so hoping this could help out.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Did you see this FooTheFlowerHorn vid where he did a bit of hydroponics and grew strawberry plants out from his Betta tank? Tbh I was surprised there'd be enough nitrogen coming off one Betta to fuel that.. anyway, that would certainly suck some nitrates out of the water!

 

[Wills]

Wow no not seen that it’s a whole new side of the hobby that sort of borders on terrariums which seems to be where the aquascaping side is going.

I wonder if the plant is taking ammonia and nitrite out of the water before the filter bacteria?

 

[DAnCSF]

Another idea to repurpose my 55...

 

[mbsqw1d]

I really like the idea of it, just don't have the room on mine as its lodged inside the recess of a chimney breast.. I can barely get my arm inside to do maintenance lol

I wonder if the plant is taking ammonia and nitrite out of the water before the filter bacteria?

Very probably, Byron once said he'd expect I'd be ok not having any biological filtration on mine (in signature), but always depends on stocking levels. Ive only got a dozen corydoras and a dozen tetra in there (52 gallon) so far. I keep hearing that plants are the best filters.

I'd be willing to take some nitrogen measurements with/without filter actually. As I'm not certain if there even is much in the way of BB in the filter given the plant mass

 

[AbbeysDad]

I wonder if the plant is taking ammonia and nitrite out of the water before the filter bacteria?

Ammonia is the preferred nitrogen source for most plants. The more ammonia that plants use means lower nitrates in the end.

Very probably, Byron once said he'd expect I'd be ok not having any biological filtration on mine (in signature), but always depends on stocking levels. Ive only got a dozen corydoras and a dozen tetra in there (52 gallon) so far. I keep hearing that plants are the best filters.

The amount of beneficial bacteria is always relative to the available ammonia. If plants use a lot of ammonia, the colon(ies) will be very small - but that's okay as it's all about balance.