What to do about high nitrAtes in tap water?

Question

I just did a reading on my TAP water and it was around a 7ppm. I didn't realize before that tap water would put in the very thing I am trying to take out with water changes? Is this something people generally don't worry about since it equals out to something safe? In my 29 gallon tank my nitrate stays around 40 with 5 diamond tetra, 1 rainbow shark, 1 angel (3 inch) and 2 cory cats I have a few plants in there as well.

Should I get more plants? I'd rather not use any chemicals if I can get away with it. I don't know how my new 120 gallon will work out after I change water and add my first new fish after fishless cycling. There are a few plants in there but I would like to get 3 dojo loaches for my boyfriend in one of the tanks and I hear they really like to tear up some plants. Is there any other alternative besides chemicals or plants???

Thanks in advance!!!

Answer 1

There are no simple ways to remove nitrate from water in the home. Because nitrate does NOT evaporate the way chlorine does, boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. In fact, boiling water for more than 10 minutes can make the nitrate more concentrated. Boiling water in an aluminum pan may also convert nitrate to nitrite.

Nitrate is one of the most common groundwater contaminants in rural areas. If your private or public water supply has elevated nitrate levels, then purchasing bottled water is one of your best alternatives. Even in bottled water, nitrate levels can vary considerably. Some states require bottled water companies to have their water tested for nitrate annually.

7ppm is not high for tap water that is about average. 20-40 ppm is fine for your tank.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in water in the form of a dissolved gas and forms carbonic acid and can lower pH. With decaying organic waste present in the aquarium the carbon dioxide concentration rises while the dissolved oxygen content falls. Plants in our aquariums do rely upon carbon dioxide and bicarbonates in water to grow but when the levels of carbon dioxide rise and the levels of dissolved oxygen fall the fish are left to compete with plants for the limited supply of dissolved oxygen which is present. The acceptable range of carbon dioxide for most fish is 2.0 mg/L (ppm).
Watch how many plants you place in your aquarium. A few is good. More plants will not correct your nitrate problem.

If you are still concerned, do a water change No more than 20% once a week, until your levels are lower.

Answer 2

40 ppm nitrates is a liiitle high, but it's not really anything to worry about. 7ppm tap water is more or less normal. If you're concerned about it, you could mix in 1/3 distilled or spring water with 2/3 tap water, this will bring down the nitrates without affecting overall mineral and electrolyte content necessary for the fish.

You can get a few more plants if you want to. I'm a plant lover so I definitely encourage it. There are some nitrate-sponges out there like Giant Hygro and Moss Balls - both are easy to grow in low-mid light tanks.

You're right now to use chemicals. Rarely work, unforeseen side-effects. No good.

As for the loaches, I've never personally owned a dojo so I can't speak to how accurate that information is, but there are other loach choices out there like yoyos, burmese, zebras, kuhlis, and those should be fine with plants. Or go for floating plants like amazon frogbit, water sprite, pennywort. It's all good stuff, doesn't need high light, and should not be damaged by the dojos.

Answer 3

Water changes are the only things that effectively reduce nitrates. If your tap is already reading 7ppm, you will just have to larger volume water changes. Plants will reduce nitrate to some extent, but the needs of plants are so high, that stepping up your water changes usually ends up being more time and cost efective

Answer 4

7ppm isn't high nitrates. It's best to keep your tank nitrates at about 20 (or less, although higher numbers are ok, they're not ideal) and the best way is through more frequent water changes. How often do you do a change? I'd recommend a 50% change once a week. Plants also help absorb nitrates, so you could get the best of both worlds by increasing your # of plants AND water changes.

Answer 5

As you point out the nitrate level isn't all that bad in the tap, so it's not a major concern really.

Try to find some type of floating plant or rootless plant for your tank, Crystalwort, bladderwort, jave moss... something like that. These type of plants get all their nutrients from the water and act as great nitrate and even nitrite) sponges. I would caution you to stay away from duckweed though. While it will work very well, once it's ina tank it's there to stay short of very drastic measures that would harm your other plants.

Something other than chemicals or plants would be difficult, time consuming and basically a major pain in the rump. You mention you will have plants in the take any way, so just add one of these to the list and don't worry about the nitrates anymore :)

Answer 6

use some water conditioner and go to your local pet store and get something called AmQuel+. It is a Nitrate, Nitrite and chloramine reducer. Don't worry too much change is gradual. if you try to do too much too soon you will shock all of the fish and possibly kill them all. Fish are pretty adaptable, if they arent dead yet you have a good shot at keeping it that way.

Answer 7

Use Aquasafe. I've used it for 2 years in my 10-gallon tank, and it works quite well.

Answer 8

get your water from someplace else.... might end up being more expensive but you can do something like. maybe get 5 or 10 gallons for your 29 and mix it with your tap water.