When is nitrate levels too high

[phil]

Hi All

Can someone tell me at what levels is Nitrate too high?

Nitrite is 0, Ammonia is 0.

But nitrate continually comes in at 20 ppm

I`ve had different advice from lfs, other members (from 0 - 50 ppm), etc so I`m confused.

Thanks

Phil

 

[Tempestuousfury]

You have low nitrates, which means you are stocking your tank well and keeping the water quality in good shape.

If you feel that the tests are wrong, you could get a new test kit or get an lfs to recheck your water for free.

 

[snowyangel]

Your nitrates are at a safe level. You're lucky, some ppl have over 60ppm of nitrates naturally occuring in their tap water.

 

[CFC]

Nitrates are generally not considered dangerous to most commonly kept fish until they have exceeded 50ppm but other more sensative fish such as Discus, Pimeloid catfishes, BGK and most tetras should not be exposed to levels above 40ppm and prefferably below this.

20ppm is a good nitrate level and regular waterchanges and tank maintainance will keep it that way.

 

[freddyk]

It has been shown that when the nitrate build up is gradual most aquarium fish can adapt to nitrates in the hundreds. The fish will, of course, not be as healthy, will be more stressed and in turn more susceptable to disease, and breeding certainly becomes an impossibility.

Nitrates of 20 are absolutely fine.