Best Way To Get Rid Of Nitrates In Aquarium
Aquariums are a great way to bring a piece of nature into your home. They are not only beautiful to look at but also provide a calming effect. However, maintaining an aquarium is not an easy task. One of the biggest challenges that aquarium owners face is keeping the nitrate levels low. High nitrate levels can cause harm to the fish and plants in the aquarium. In this article, we will discuss the best way to get rid of nitrates in the aquarium.
What are nitrates?
Nitrates are a byproduct of the nitrogen cycle in the aquarium. Fish produce waste in the form of ammonia, which is toxic to them. The beneficial bacteria in the aquarium convert the ammonia into nitrite, another toxic substance. Finally, nitrite is converted into nitrate, which is less toxic than the previous two substances. However, high levels of nitrates can still harm the fish and plants in the aquarium.
How to test for nitrates?
The first step in getting rid of nitrates in the aquarium is to test the water for nitrate levels. You can use a nitrate test kit to check the levels. Ideally, the nitrate levels should be below 20 ppm (parts per million) for freshwater aquariums and below 40 ppm for saltwater aquariums.
How to get rid of nitrates?
There are several ways to get rid of nitrates in the aquarium:
1. Water changes
One of the easiest ways to reduce nitrate levels in the aquarium is to perform regular water changes. This will dilute the nitrate levels and bring them down to a safe level. You should change 10-20% of the water every week in a freshwater aquarium and 5-10% of the water every week in a saltwater aquarium.
2. Live plants
Live plants can help reduce nitrate levels in the aquarium by using them as a food source. They absorb nitrates during photosynthesis and use them to grow. However, not all plants are suitable for all aquariums. You should research which plants are suitable for your aquarium before adding them.
3. Biological filtration
Biological filtration is the process of using beneficial bacteria to convert ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate. You can use a filter to house these bacteria and ensure that the water is cycled through the filter regularly.
4. Chemical filtration
Chemical filtration involves using chemical media to remove nitrates from the water. You can use products like activated carbon, zeolite, or nitrate removal resin to remove nitrates from the water. However, you should be careful when using these products as they can also remove beneficial nutrients from the water.
Conclusion
Getting rid of nitrates in the aquarium is crucial for the health and well-being of the fish and plants in the aquarium. You can use a combination of methods like water changes, live plants, biological and chemical filtration to keep the nitrate levels low. Regular testing of the water for nitrate levels is also important to ensure that the levels are below the safe limit.
