Pretty High Nitrates In Tap-water?

[RossC]

Have you tried a water butt to catch the rainwater, that be a bit different plus it hasn't been treated with other chemicals?

Try a little test first put a bucket or something out when it rains and do a test.

I'd be too worried about other pollution as I live near a busy motorway and A road. I think its best just to leave it as it is, the majority of fish have tolerated it so far, like I said it just bugged me more than anything

 

[RossC]

I just tested the Cannock Pets at Home Water and their Nitrates are 80+ppm but there pH is the same. It turns out Tetra Easy Balance can lower Nitrate levels with their "Nitrate Reducing Granules" so I've picked a bottle up to give it a try, it claims to help prevent algae as well by reducing phosphates so that would be a nice bonus. I'll test twice a week and see if there's any noticeable difference and let you guys know

 

[maurizio]

Looking forward to hearing your results, Ross, I'm pretty desperate here. Fish appear to be fine, and always have, but I don't know what else may be affecting so badly the snails. I need them back at work!

 

[maurizio]

Hey Ross, any success with Easy Balance? I'm trying with Nitrate Minus pearls, but so far no changes. Struggling with brown algae, and snails still hiding. They do come out at night and eat, though.

 

[RossC]

Na no results I haven't notice it do anything it claims to do, just seems to make the tank look horrible after adding it with its gel and beads consistency. I've stopped using it now

 

[maurizio]

Yep, pretty much the same with those pearls: they are very light, so it was a pain to settle them into the sand bed, and they tend to surface all the time. Looks ugly.
 
Considering to go RO, which is really annoying for me, since I had planned and setup the whole tank seconding the local water parameter, to make my life simpler...