What Is Nitrate?
Nitrate is the waste by-product of nitrifying bacteria (nitrobacters), which develops as part of the nitrogen cycle and occur as the final stage and stages are ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Nitrates are a key component to make an aquarium's biological filtration system function and stay in balance.
Why Is Nitrate a Problem Element?
Nitrates are potentially dangerous due to its affects on the aquarium water chemistry and on the healthy environment for your fish while nitrates are accumulating. The higher the nitrate levels the higher and severe the consequences due to the stress on your fish and the favorable conditions for a serious algae outbreak
What Is an Acceptable Level for Nitrate?
The optimal amount of nitrate in any type of saltwater system is an negegible, but an acceptable range for fish-only tanks is from 10 to 40 ppm, sometimes with no ill effects. This is not recommended as extreme fish stress will occur at around 60 ppm. In reef systems aquariums even a minor level of nitrate can cause damage as well as death to delicate corals, anemones and other invertebrates, as well as some crustaceans. The acceptable range of nitrate for reef tanks is 0.25 ppm, but not more than 5 ppm.
Other Sources of Nitrate
Aquarium Water changes or topping up water from evaporation are ways to increase the nitrate levels in the saltwater aquarium. Ensure you use purified water and a brand of sea salt mix that may contain nitrates. Therefore filter tap water and use the correct sea salt mix.
How to Lower Nitrates
In order to control nitrate levels, there are a number of things you might consider including:
* Quality Saltwater Aquarium Filtration system
* Purchase aquatic species that eat algae, such as Surgeons, Tangs, Rabbitfish and Filefish.
* Change out about twenty-five percent of the water every seven to ten days.
* Put in plants
* Make sure your aquarium is large enough for the number of fish it contains.
For more information on Saltwater Aquariums click here to Saltwater Aquarium Guide
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