High Nitrates and Fert info needed

[PhilthyMcnasty]

So i haven't taken water test on the tank for a little while now and decided to take a test today. Ammonia and nitrites were at 0 but my nitrate are around 70-80ppm. I also decided to test my water from the faucet and nitrates were around 30-40ppm. To make sure the test kit was still ok, I ran a test on bottled water and it showed 0 0itrates.

Any suggestions on getting the nitrates lowered? I had a RO unit until it was dropped and cracked in several areas. I also have access to RO water from the University I work at but just a pain to load up (2) 5 gallon buckets.

Since the Nitrates are so high that leads me to my next question on what Macro/Micro dry ferts should I order for my tank? I was first thinking NPK, Plantex CSM and some Iron Chelate until I saw my Nitrate levels.

Here are some specs...

29 gallon (running for 9 months)
Heavy planted tank (Jungle looking )
Pressurized Co2
Materialize Organic (bottom), Sand (middle) and Eco Complete (top)
2x T5 36 watt lighting.
Have not been dosing the tank with any type of ferts except for RootMedic Complete substrate tabs.

Any help is appreciated.

[fusiongt]

Just needs regular water changes and you'll be fine. Some may suggest Purigen but nothing replaces water changes.

[livingword26]

How is your aquarium doing? Are your plants growing well? Any algae problems?

[PhilthyMcnasty]

So far I never had any algae problems with the tank. Most of the plants are doing fine except for a few leaf rots and several leaves with some holes in them. The stem plants are going like weeds.

BTW The plants floating on top are Dwarf Sag's that I'm hoping to sell locally.

[livingword26]

Generally I would say that if there isn't a problem, then don't fix it. Since you have fairly high light, and co2 injection, your plants may need more potassium, phosphate, and maybe even micro's than they are getting. I can't really say what they are getting from the root tabs, because I have never used them. Do you have a phosphate test kit?

[Aquaticfan]

If your dosing NPK your dosing nitrates. Also. Nitrates DO NOT cause algae. Nitrates are one of the more needed nutrients in a planted tank. If you follow a non limiting dosing regiment like Estimative index aka EI, then you will be adding nitrate in non limiting amounts. I use EI in my tanks and my nitrates vary depending on the specific tank, but some are around 100ppm some are as low as 20ppm. No ill effects on livestock or algae issues. Algae issues normally start with light being to much, then co2. Some algae will actually happen do to low nitrates. You do want to have a reset of the system and this is what water changes are for. Sounds like your water already has higher nitrates. Doesn't sound like your generating a lot in the tank though. The holes in hour leaves and like are telling you more then likely you have a nutrient deficit issue. This is what EI helps solve as no nutrients are lacking.