Okay i thought nitrates/phosphates were the ones you could care about the least, with ammonia being the most dangerous one and nitrite in the middle, I am thinking this applies to fw not swTo clarify - Ignore Nit I tes and focus on Nitr A tes
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Okay i thought nitrates/phosphates were the ones you could care about the least, with ammonia being the most dangerous one and nitrite in the middle, I am thinking this applies to fw not swTo clarify - Ignore Nit I tes and focus on Nitr A tes
Yes- FWOkay i thought nitrates/phosphates were the ones you could care about the least, with ammonia being the most dangerous one and nitrite in the middle, I am thinking this applies to fw not sw
So for nitrates and nitrites what are their safe levels? I was told by a reefer near the area who gives out chaeto for free all the time(he grows it in a huge tub), that even 80 nitrates are fine, hes been keeping reefs since 20 years ago, thoughts on theseYes- FW
Nitites- IgnoreSo for nitrates and nitrites what are their safe levels? I was told by a reefer near the area who gives out chaeto for free all the time(he grows it in a huge tub), that even 80 nitrates are fine, hes been keeping reefs since 20 years ago, thoughts on these
80 nitrates is completely fine for a fish only tank. Fish arent sensitive to nitrates unless it gets to extreme levels. Coral and invertebrates are sensitive to high nitrates.So for nitrates and nitrites what are their safe levels? I was told by a reefer near the area who gives out chaeto for free all the time(he grows it in a huge tub), that even 80 nitrates are fine, hes been keeping reefs since 20 years ago, thoughts on these
I'm going to say maybe in coastal areas like Florida it's available, but definitely not inland.Slightly off topic, but I've noticed that lots of people here from the USA talk about salt and mixing it etc.
The best thing I ever did was make the change to natural seawater and now I have a 1000 litre container to store it in. I get a delivery every few months.
Is natural seawater used much in the USA?
I live in a coastal state, and the closest salt water is almost 3 hours away. Its not feasible for most of us and would cost a fortune to have shipped.Slightly off topic, but I've noticed that lots of people here from the USA talk about salt and mixing it etc.
The best thing I ever did was make the change to natural seawater and now I have a 1000 litre container to store it in. I get a delivery every few months.
Is natural seawater used much in the USA?
10-40 nitrates have always been an industry standard and i dont know where you are getting 80 as safe but I can assure you that it is documented and proven that high nitrates above 40 ppm often contribute to disease, growth stunting in fish and issues with reproduction. Fish can tolerate higher levels short term which in time becomes nitrate toxicosis which will weaken fish and their immune systems and lead to death !!80 nitrates is completely fine for a fish only tank. Fish arent sensitive to nitrates unless it gets to extreme levels. Coral and invertebrates are sensitive to high nitrates.
I stay above 30 nitrates at all time in my reef tank and my coral grows just fine.
Were gonna have to disagree on this one. Ive run a fowlr tank for several years which has nitrates always above 60. And I have fully grown fish, including a bamboo shark. So I completely disagree with this assessment.10-40 nitrates have always been an industry standard and i dont know where you are getting 80 as safe but I can assure you that it is documented and proven that high nitrates above 40 ppm often contribute to disease, growth stunting in fish and issues with reproduction. Fish can tolerate higher levels short term which in time becomes nitrate toxicosis which will weaken fish and their immune systems and lead to death !!
A big contributor is organic waste and Fish CANNOT endure an organic waste environment long term at high levels
I just recently attended a seminar on water chemistry and the effects of nitrates which derive from Organic waste was discussed in depth. Nitrates are often blamed for many issue when its phosphate, however the consensus was 40 or below and reason why we skim , do water changes to reduce organics not to mention false reading factors and realize that nitrates are Ions and can cause fish to have issues regulating body fluids.Were gonna have to disagree on this one. Ive run a fowlr tank for several years which has nitrates always above 60. And I have fully grown fish, including a bamboo shark. So I completely disagree with this assessment.
Not to mention my entire reef runs 30-40 nitrates and does completely fine, inverts and coral included. Nitrates are highly debated and I get it. yes they contribute to algae.
Like I said, we can disagree on what is industry standard.I just recently attended a seminar on water chemistry and the effects of nitrates which derive from Organic waste was discussed in depth. Nitrates are often blamed for many issue when its phosphate, however the consensus was 40 or below and reason why we skim , do water changes to reduce organics not to mention false reading factors and realize that nitrates are Ions and can cause fish to regulate body fluids.
Ive been running tanks for decades amongst many LFS and wholesalers i know of within 20ppm.
Ive chimed in 2 who work with chemistry and public aquariums to chime in on this.
@Randy Holmes-Farley
@Jay Hemdal
I mixed rodi water with instant ocean-purple bag(its for reef and labeled as the best professional salt out there), and right now I need salt but can not wait a week for shipping nor I can pay their ridiculous double spiked up prices, I tested for both rodi water and the saltwater with salifert ammonia test kit and my ammonia reads 2.0!!! STOP using this salt or your fish and corals WILL die within an hour!!!, I know no one tests their new water especially for ammonia but I did for the sake of it(and all the salt I have right now is instant ocean purple brand for 400+ gallons), I tested the rodi water and read 0 ammonia 0 nitrites, etc. What am I supposed to do now tell me!, those acans wont survive even 30'
Like I said, we can disagree on what is industry standard.
Disagreeing is completely fine. But if I actively and have had for some time, levels that contradict what you say then I am going to mention it.
I appreciate all opinions and I always respect yours, but it does not make me have to agree with you.
While I agree very much with your levels for a reef tank.
But I stand by what I said, 60-80 nitrates is not harmful in a fowlr tank.
It’s a big country and we like to pollute a lot here. If you have a boat and can get offshore it may be ok but it’s easier to just mix your own. I live 15 min from the gulf and have used some but it’s really just easier and removes a ton of variables to just mix my own.Slightly off topic, but I've noticed that lots of people here from the USA talk about salt and mixing it etc.
The best thing I ever did was make the change to natural seawater and now I have a 1000 litre container to store it in. I get a delivery every few months.
Is natural seawater used much in the USA?
I agree completely, but we are all talking about standard testing numbers, given by a hanna, salifert etc. And I disagree that a nitrate level of 45 is going to harm fish long term. Hence my personal Fowlr that constantly tests on the Hanna high range nitrate checker above 50.I would caution folks that they need to be very clear when they say "nitrates" do they mean nitrates or nitrate-nitrogen? If one person is using one term, and the other person is using the other, they will never agree because the conversion factor; Nitrate = Nitrate Nitrogen x 4.43
80 mg/l nitrates is 354.4 mg/l nitrate-nitrogen.
Jay
I'll field this one!Slightly off topic, but I've noticed that lots of people here from the USA talk about salt and mixing it etc.
The best thing I ever did was make the change to natural seawater and now I have a 1000 litre container to store it in. I get a delivery every few months.
Is natural seawater used much in the USA?
Couldnt you just get some RODI water, put the salt in and then sample that for ammonia if you were sure it was the salt? Seems unlikely unless a mouse died in your bag of salt or something lol.I mixed rodi water with instant ocean-purple bag(its for reef and labeled as the best professional salt out there), and right now I need salt but can not wait a week for shipping nor I can pay their ridiculous double spiked up prices, I tested for both rodi water and the saltwater with salifert ammonia test kit and my ammonia reads 2.0!!! STOP using this salt or your fish and corals WILL die within an hour!!!, I know no one tests their new water especially for ammonia but I did for the sake of it(and all the salt I have right now is instant ocean purple brand for 400+ gallons), I tested the rodi water and read 0 ammonia 0 nitrites, etc. What am I supposed to do now tell me!, those acans wont survive even 30'