How to Get Nitrates Down in Aquarium –Ā To maintain the growth of healthy algae and nasty little fish in the bay, keep the nitrate level of the aquarium below 20 parts per million. Invertebrates need nitrate levels below 5 ppm and coral needs less than 1 ppm. All quality waterproof kit for home fans allows you to monitor the nitrate level.
Make only one effort to lower the nitrate level of your aquarium at once, waiting a few days for a week between tactics. Your friends with lightning fins and other aquatic lives are more likely to become dangerously stressed by sudden changes in water chemistry than by levels that gradually derive too high.
Replace 10% of your aquarium water, or up to 15% if your nitrate level is considerably high. Do exactly what you do when you make your water changes usually every two weeks or so, including all the temperatureĀ settings andĀ the same water treatments.
Buy bio-pellets from your trusted fish power supply and add them to the tank according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Biogranules are a relatively new aquarium technology that leverages the natural power of beneficial marine microorganisms. The granules dissolve in the water and all the microscopic creatures within the party in the nitrate and other undesirable water components.
Clean the tank filtration system and the protein skimmer. If you don’t have a protein skimmer, get one. Clean the water from the floating material with your aquarium net and run your vacuum substrate entirely over the bottom of your tank. These cleaning efforts eliminate nitrate-releasing debris in the water.
Put the cured living rock or the sand alive in your tank/aquarium. These serve as decoration or substrate but do much more for your aquatic environment. Like Biogranules, live rock and live sand contain microorganisms that get Chow in nitrate. They also help keep your glass aquarium clear and even provide nutrition to any of your little-inclined swimmers to nibble on them.
Pick up one of the many denitrators available from your favorite fish supply shop/store. All kinds of products are made to reduce your nitrate level to restore balance and harmony to your underwater habitat. Use as directed.