Nitrate Filter Medium

[MHunt]

Hi all, i'm currently suffering with a high Nitrate level, between 50 and 70 ppm by my most recent tests. Is there any practical way i can get my tank system to remove it, or am i just going to need to increase my water changes. I currently change about 30% every two weeks at the most.

I have read recently about anerobic bacteria found in dead spots in the filter or elsewhere in the tank that break down the nitrate. Does anyone know if this is something that can be set up easily without breaking down my tank and starting again?

 

[MHunt]

I've got a nitrasorb tea bag to put in my filter. Has anyone else had any experiences with this, good, bad or otherwise?

 

[Jeewhizz]

I've found the Nitrasorb/Nitrasafe bags to be very helpful. They need to be recharged often, I usually have one bag in the filter, and another bag recharging, so that I can swap them over.

Jee

 

[MHunt]

When i get chance i'll put it in my filter, somewhere! I've only got a Fluval 2 filter, i don't really want to lose any of my filter foam, you think it'll squish in the middle bit!!!!

 

[BobK]

Switching to weekly partial water changes will help.

 

[MHunt]

Switching to weekly partial water changes will help.

I have increased the frequency of the changes, but i'm interested to see if this nitrate absorbing bag will help the problem. From what i've read in the instructions, it also absorbs ammonia and nitrite, so could be a good tool for cycling the tank with a gradual increase of fish. The bacteria in the filter should then begin to build up as the bag looses it's ability to absorb the harmful chemicals.

The water in my tank has cleared quite considerably since adding the bag too, and all the fish appear happy now. I did have a few weak ones after a recent bout of white spot so all being well, my tank will only get healthier!

 

[voo]

Live plants are good for reducing nitrates. Add a couple and they'll go down whilst making your tank look nicer

 

[yvez9]

I use Kent's marine nitrate sponge in my 90 gallon dirty fish tank (oscar and pleco)

i really never measure nitrates though so i'm not sure if it works well or not but I believe it was someone on the forums here who recommended I use it. I just throw half away afetr 6 months and replace with new. My bottle should last me 2-3 years like that!

here's a link
http/www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl366...atesponge2quart

 

[MHunt]

I have some plants anyway, which i was hoping would absorb the nitrates, but obviously not enough for the stocking level of my tank. I did want to add more plants anyway, it should make my dwarf gourami more settled, and give somewhere for the fry to hide that hopefully my platy is going to give birth to.

I haven't seen that Kent nitrate sponge anywhere in the UK. What i'm using is like a powder inside what can only be described as a tea bag.