Introduction

When you set up your freshwater aquarium you must let for it to go through the Nitrogen Cycle ahead of you even think about adding fish. The Nitrogen Cycle is when the fish waste, excess fish food and decaying plant material generate ammonia.

When this takes place the bacteria that you have added to your aquarium will consume the ammonia generating nitrites and a lot more colonies of bacteria. The nitrites are also consumed by your bacteria creating even more colonies of bacteria and now nitrates.

When you have established the bacteria colonies, the ammonia and nitrite levels will stay at zero ppm. But what about the nitrates, how do you get rid of them?

Why Are Nitrates Bad For Your Aquarium

Nitrates are not as deadly as ammonia or nitrites on your fish. But they are not actually wholesome for your fish or your fish fry. Big amounts of algae can also be produced if you have substantial levels of nitrites in your aquarium, referred to as an algae bloom.

Some people who claim to be experts on freshwater fish believe that you must maintain the level of nitrates beneath 300 ppm. I personally think this is to high a level to hold in a freshwater aquarium. I preserve the level of nitrates in my 75-gallon fish tank at much less than 100 ppm.

Right here are some of the approaches I use to keep the nitrates down in my freshwater aquarium.

Plants

Reside plants in your aquarium will decrease the amount of nitrates in your aquarium, simply because plants will consume the nitrates. Your plants should also be trimmed to eliminate the dead leaves and stems. Decaying plant material will generate nitrates if you leave this material in the aquarium.

If you do use plants to help to maintain your nitrates down, insure you feed your plants some micronutrients at least a weekly.

Water Modify Out

I replace ten per cent of my aquariums water weekly. This will lessen the amount of nitrates in my freshwater fish tanks. When you remove your water, also vacuum your substrate. This will get rid of the fish waste and excess food that is also making nitrates.

Conclusion

Although nitrates are not as negative for your fish as ammonia and nitrites, they can lead to well being problems for your fish and will also cause algae to build up in your tank. To hold nitrates down in your freshwater aquarium, execute partial weekly modify out of water and keep live plants in your tank.