Water Quality

[audia4]

Hi everybody,

I have a question regarding water quality. My tap water seems to have high nitrates, so when I do a water change I do not see much difference in nitrates, and im thinking it is because of the water source.

Has/does anyone use some sort of filteration system for their water for water changes, to help give better water?

I was thinking/looking at something like this on ebay;

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250632302384&ssPageName=ADME:RTQ:GB:1123

Just wanted to get some advice and opinions/recommendations from some of you guys with much more valuable experince than myself.

Thanks for looking and Thanks in advance for any help/info.

 

[pinkspider]

What treatement are you using on your tap water at the moment, while doing water changes?

I have used Seachem's "Prime" for some time now, and it works wonderfully.

It removes chlorine, chloramine and ammonia, as well as eliminating the risk of ammonia. It also detoxifies nitrites and nitrates.

 

[audia4]

I am also using seachems prime for water changes.

But nitrates seem to stay at 40ppm.

 

[pinkspider]

Hm, sounds like the water problems I used to have in an old house.

I ended up doing water changes with a RO and Rain water mix. I know that's not possible for everyone (not everybody has access to collected rain water!), but it definitley kept the nitrates down - the only thing I had to sometimes tinker with was the PH.

 

[ZoddyZod]

I am also using seachems prime for water changes.

But nitrates seem to stay at 40ppm.

nitrates at 40ppm from the tap are not uncommon......that's what mine are. At that level they are pretty much harmless, unless you are keeping fish that are super sensitive to them....German Blue Rams for example.

I am also using seachems prime for water changes.

But nitrates seem to stay at 40ppm.

that's because Prime, or any other chlorine remover, will do nothing to lower nitrates. They are not designed for that purpose

 

[audia4]

I have read that 40ppm is not that bad, as my endlers are still giving fry, but then again they are pretty hardy fish.

I would just like to reduce that figure to something more ideal.

 

[Aqua Tom]

The trouble with trying to alter the chemestry of your tapwater is that you will have to get it the same every time you do a water change. If you get it slightly wrong then your fishes enviroment will be altered too quickly for them to adapt when you add the new water. They can become sick.

Best to leave it as your fish will have become aclimatised to it.

 

[audia4]

Hmmm, thats some good thinking

I guess I should just leave it then and as the system matures over time it should level it self out, hopefully anyway. Saves me a few bob from buying extra gear too i guess

Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[neo83]

I'm no expert and very much a beginner but based on what i read and what i have been advised from the senior aquarists of various forums, reasonably high nitrate levels are ok for fish to survive as long as they are not too sensitive as everyone here have said. I have 38ppm of nitrate in my tap water according to my water company. I use seachem prime as well but never in the intention of getting the nitrate to very low levels. I have heard about biological nitrate reduction such as JBL Bio Nitratex on many forums, which can be put directly into the filter. May be an experienced forum member might comment on this product.

One more thing you can do is to get live plants and they will definitely use your high level of nitrates.

 

[OldMan47]

A way to remove nitrates that actually does work is to plant the tank with real plants. Plants remove nitrates quite effectively, they use the nitrogen as fertilizer. My heavily planted tanks actually have lower nitrate levels than my tap water unless I do very large and frequent water changes to keep up with the nitrogen consumption by the plants.