Has anyone used NitrateMinus (by Tetra) in aquariums? What were the results and did it reduce nitrate?

Question

I am contemplating using this product to reduce nitrates in an aquarium. It is a 180 gallon fish only tank (only an arowana and a pleco), but I really don't want (and cannot due to the tank design) fit a mechanical denitrinator to the tank). I do partial 20% water changes every week and the nitrates are still getting up there(plus I monitor the feeding and remove any excess food not eaten). If you used this product what were the results? How affective was it or isn't? Did you measure the nitrates ppm reduction? How much was it reduced by?

I checked my supply tap water fresh out of the pipe and after I have aged it and it has zero nitrates (non measureable with the two new test kits that I have).

Answer 1

NM by Tetra is an excellent product for emergency use, when you need to reduce Nitrate in your tank fast...other than that water change process is far better because it does not stresses the fishes, which to some extend NM does, maybe because its an artificial compound for nirtrate reduction.

I have used NM on SOS situations, and its good.

Answer 2

Try changing your filter?? I would much prefer to have high nitrates than cycling problems! Please don't touch your filter, it's generating a lot of nitrates because there is a lot of ammonia/waste being produced/introduced in the tank. Your biological filter is not the problem! If it's dirty and due for a cleaning sure, but no more than rinse the media in tank water to preserve the bacteria. True plants help a tremendous amount, try floating plants such as hornwart and frogbit if you're having problems with other aquatic plants. By breaching the surface these plants consume CO2 from the air and are able to do far better in a tank that is less suitable for aquatic plants. Only some snails really harm plants, most eat plants only once their tissues have softened due to other problems. But snails do add to the overall bio-load of the tank and generally speaking, most nitrate problems are caused by overstocking or overfeeding. Without knowing more about the tank, I'd say reduce feedings to once every other day and perform 20-30% weekly water changes. If you are able to test nitrates and find a concentration over 30-40ppm then more frequent changes would be required until the level is down below this range. There may also be eccess accumulation of waste in the gravel, which would require vacuming out, however without knowing more it's hard to say. If the plants are dying, remove them before they melt away as they too will add to the overall nitrate concentration. Hope that helps

Answer 3

Tetra Nitrate Minus

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Has anyone used NitrateMinus (by Tetra) in aquariums? What were the results and did it reduce nitrate?
I am contemplating using this product to reduce nitrates in an aquarium. It is a 180 gallon fish only tank (only an arowana and a pleco), but I really don't want (and cannot due to the tank design) fit a mechanical denitrinator to the tank). I do partial 20% water changes every week and the...

Answer 5

The reason why you cannot control the Nitrates in your tank is probably because your tap water already has high nitrates. To control nitrates in such a case you could either use RO water and reconstitute it using specific salts and minerals to avoid putting nitrates when you do water changes, plant your tank with a few fast growing plants that will consume your nitrates or finally use special resin in your filter to constantly remove nitrates from your water. I think in your case the most practical and effective would be the last one. These resins go inside your filter canister or sump and will need to be regenerated every month or so.

Answer 6

As above, in an emergency it can be an ok product but really you need another way to reduce nitrates.
Do check your source water and maybe consider RO or partial RO, for water changes.
Easiest & cheapest option is floating plants. Water lettuce or even duckweed can strip out nitrates surprisingly quickly.
You can even set up a denitrator for tapwater using a barrel, a lamp & duckweed. I used to have one in my fish house and tapwater with 25 ppm nitrate would be down to 5ppm in a week.

Answer 7

I have used this A BILLION times on my fish and I even use the same company that you mentioned (Tetra)! Anyways, this is actually very helpful, but don't expect results in a snap. Be patient because these kind of products don't work very fast. But, I got great results! Hopefully, you will too!

Good Luck!

Answer 8

It's never a good idea to add chemicals that are not needed to an aquarium. If you are having NO3 problems, then you need to do larger water changes ever week or add some plants to your tank. I would also test your tap water to ensure that it is not adding to the problem. Even if you tap water contains higher levels of NO3, if you add plants, they will consume it.

Answer 9

I have always used something called Prime by Seachem. This has always worked fine for my nitrite problems. The only thing i can reccomend is once your nitrite is a little higher on the charts then clean the water and use the product. Make sure you dont just use the product. Clean your tank then use it.

Answer 10

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