Nitrate Filters

[Daveo026]

Hi all are nitrate filters worth it and do they work in frest water tanks (maybe a stupid question).
Iv never had experiance with this kind of filter so im very clueless

 

[Aquascaper]

Generally speaking they are found more on marine systems (in the form of DSB's, etc.) and tbh I couldn't see the point on a freshwater tank as regular water changes are usually more than adequate to deal with nitrate buildup.

 

[Daveo026]

Thing is my main tank the last few weeks im getting a big build up of nitrates i make sure they arent overfeed clean the tank twice a week vacing water changes but still getting a build up of atleast 80 within a few days tank isnt overstocked but its getting to be a pain as im having to do more and more water changes.

Im going to do a 50% water change in the morning
Somethings going wrong but cant work it out new to keeping a community tank but i never had any probs when i had african chiclids

 

[erk628]

You could always add live plants.

 

[Daveo026]

Sry forgot to say its heavy planted
I knows its mostly likely something iv done or doing thats making it go wrong but im clueless

 

[Aquascaper]

Can you list your tank specs (dimensions, filter, stocking, etc.) and maybe someone can shed some might on the problem.

 

[Daveo026]

Juwel 240 47.5inch long 16inch depth 22.5 height
Aps 1000 external
aps 2000 external (just added)
Also run an air pump with airstones on

Heavy planted but still plenty of room for danios to swim
Pair of blue rams (breeding)
7 danio 3 danio fry (they was all bred in a tropical tank)
6 albino cory (breeding)
4 female plattys (5fry that will be rehomed when grown)
6 otos
2 female fighters

I havent managed to save any eggs yet
All fish seem happy at minate but really need to get it sorted before my rams and otos start struggling

 

[Aquascaper]

What substrate do you have and do you use ferts for your plants?

 

[Daveo026]

Sand i did use ferts but i stopped plants are growing without it should i be using them?

 

[Aquascaper]

I'm just trying to think of things to eliminate possible causes of the nitrate increase. When did you stop using ferts?

 

[Daveo026]

6 weeks to about 2months ago

 

[Aquascaper]

Do you know if there's been any change in the levels in your tapwater? I'm not getting any glaringly obvious reason for the nitrates so trying to eliminate the usual suspects.

 

[Daveo026]

Il test it now brb

 

[Daveo026]

Fs its my tap water its between 40 and 80 normal so the water changes are pointless

Never thought to check my tap water

 

[Aquascaper]

There's the culprit

There's a few options to help keep it manageable:

1) Nitrate removers in your filter - costly long-term as they need replaced but easy to use.

2) Natural methods - live plants which you already have.

3) Reverse Osmosis water changes - Either from your LFS or by installing your own system.

As long as the levels don't exceed 100ppm for long periods the fish will be fine as most adapt to fluctuations in nitrates quite well.

Water changes do more than just remove nitrates so keep up a regular schedule anyway but it's probably worth checking your tapwater monthly maybe just to keep aware of what the levels are.