What is the best way to lower nitrates if the levels are high in your tap water?
Nitrates will not harm these species. Desired Level In nature nitrates remain very low, generally well below 5 ppm. In freshwater aquariums nitrates should be kept below 50 pm at all times, preferably below 25 ppm. If you are breeding fish, or are battling algae growth, keep nitrates below 10 ppm. How to Reduce Nitrates Unlike ammonia and nitrites, the bacteria that remove nitrates do not like oxygen rich environments. Therefore, conventional filters do not harbor the bacteria that remove nitrates. Although special filters exist that will remove nitrates, such devices are usually expensive compared to other filtration units. However, there are some steps you can take to keep nitrates low. •Keep the tank clean – Waste ultimately produces nitrates. Cleaner tanks produce fewer nitrates in the first place. •Don’t overfeed the fish – Overfeeding is a significant contributor to excess nitrates and other undesirable wastes, such as phosphates. •Water changes – Performing regular water changes
