Nitrate Levels?

[darkstar144]

Hey Everybody,
Just wondering how often everyone checks the nitrate levels in their tanks.  I have 15 adult red rainbows in a 75 gallon tank filtered by a wet dry filter with 2 DLS rolls.  I try to do a 25 percent water change a week.  Last night was the first time I checked my nitrate levels ever actually and got a 20ppm reading.  I did a 25 percent water change last night.  I ran the test again today and it was still at 20ppm.  

Ran a test on tap water.  It's at 0ppm.  Ran  a test on my 180 gallon tank with 12 juvie Frontosa.  That is around 10ppm.  That tank is being filtered by a wet dry filter with just bio balls.

Should I be concerned with 20ppm?  My first thought is that the DLS rolls might be the cause.  They have been in the wet dry filter since April.  I could swap one filter out and then swap the other one out a few weeks later.  

[...]

20ppm is on the low end for sure mate. If you can keep it there that is a great goal for total nitrates to stay at.
When you change 25% of your water you effectively reduce your nitrates by 1/4, in your case from 20 to 15ppm. From memory your dealing with a color range when measuring nitrates. A difference of 5ppm would be difficult to recognize accurately.
I don't test my nitrates at all. I watch fish behavior, adhere to a "less is better" light feeding regime and (try) to keep a stringent water change routine. I also use purigen in my sump to help remove nitrates.
Hope this helps mate.
Danny

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

I just use a standard API master test kit. I don't really have an issue with nitrates as I do 50% water change every week on all my tanks. I also recently started using Sea Chem pond matrix and now that it's developed enough internal anaerobic bacteria it does it decent job at helping the nitrates to stay low...

[darkstar144]

Nov 7, 2015 20:58:21 GMT -5 ... said:

20ppm is on the low end for sure mate. If you can keep it there that is a great goal for total nitrates to stay at.
When you change 25% of your water you effectively reduce your nitrates by 1/4, in your case from 20 to 15ppm. From memory your dealing with a color range when measuring nitrates. A difference of 5ppm would be difficult to recognize accurately.
I don't test my nitrates at all. I watch fish behavior, adhere to a "less is better" light feeding regime and (try) to keep a stringent water change routine. I also use purigen in my sump to help remove nitrates.
Hope this helps mate.
Danny

Hey Danny,
I think I am going to give the Purigen a try.  I have some here that I have never used
Dave

[darkstar144]

Nov 7, 2015 21:12:53 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

I just use a standard API master test kit. I don't really have an issue with nitrates as I do 50% water change every week on all my tanks. I also recently started using Sea Chem pond matrix and now that it's developed enough internal anaerobic bacteria it does it decent job at helping the nitrates to stay low...

Hey Andrew,
I will keep that Sea Chem Pond Matrix in mind.  Thanks!

Dave

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

I'll be 100% honest. I started using Purigen before Matrix as I thought that it would remove nitrates and I never saw a drop in it using purigen. I would suggest using Matrix. it actually builds up anaerobic bacteria deep inside the balls and that is what consumes nitrates. its great because you can rinse it off and the inner anaerobic bacteria still stays intact. Just my two cents though.

Purigen is great for removing color from the water and making the water crystal clear. Love that part of it for sure! It can basically replace activated carbon in some aspects. At least with color. not sure about removing smells.

I'm preparing to add some carbon housing units so that I can easily replace the carbon every month without having to pull apart the filters or even stop them. I'll be posting my DIY thread about it sooner than later.

[Nootrophic]

Nov 7, 2015 21:24:33 GMT -5 Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7 said:

I would suggest using Matrix. it actually builds up anaerobic bacteria deep inside the balls and that is what consumes nitrates. its great because you can rinse it off and the inner anaerobic bacteria still stays intact. Just my two cents though.

Where do you put the matrix, and how long does it take before the anaerobic bacteria build up enough for substantial nitrate reduction?

 Is this the product?

What kind of nitrate reduction can I hope to expect?

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

I put it in the bottom tray in my FX5s but in a media bag in the middle of my Ocean Clear Canister filters.

Yep that's it. I'm not sure how long it actually take but I assume that it would take about as long as other beneficial bacteria...

But also if you are doing weekly 50% water changes like me, you shouldn't be seeing much nitrates. There is a minimum that you should use per 50 gallons.

[Nootrophic]

Oh great. Sounds like a good product.

Now, I don't have a canister filter on my 60 gallon. I have an Aquaclear 70. You think I could just put the matrix together with the media bag inside the aquaclear?

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Yep. I have some in a AC 70 as well.