Newly Planted Tank - High Nitrates -

[jcali10]

I tested my pH, NO2, NO3, & NH3/4 today. My first and only planted tank, a 20 gallon tall, started on 7-15-07 tested very high for Nitrates according to the color chart, between 80-160PPM. So I quickly did a PWC and got it down to about 40-80 PPM.

I am dosing:
Excel 2 ml daily
Kent Pro Plant (macro) 5 ml every other day
Kent Freshwater Plant (micro) 5 ml every other day

Kent recommends 5-15 ml, one to three times a week for a 30 gallon tank.

I am getting some algae growth, not much.

I am wondering if I should reduce my dosing of Kent nutrients to twice or once a week. I don't think my fish feeding is the problem.

Suggestions please. Thoughts, comments welcome. Give a FNG a break.

[spypet]

can't you read bottle labels?
Kent liquids are full of nitrate,
that's why few here use them.

[jcali10]

I will stop using the Pro Plant; it does list sodium nitrate as an ingredient. What exactly should I use, I prefer to use a liquid fertilizer for the time being? Which Seachem product do you recommend?

[kunerd]

i would buy dry ferts and mix them yourself into a liquid solution. Cheaper, way cheaper. If so there are a couple people here that sell them. rex. check around and youll find more info.

[fishscale]

http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/ferts.html

[jcali10]

I'm gonna go with Rex's ferts, rather than premixed liquid fertilizers. Waiting for my Paypal account to be verified.

Regarding high nitrate levels, I think I may have put too much peat below my substrate. For ferts, I have been dosing minimal amounts, so that shouldn't be the problem. I will be more careful when I re-do my 50.

Or I will just fertilize the water column and use some kind of tabs where needed.

Time to do another PWC. Glad my first attempt was the 20 and not the 50.

[Homer_Simpson]

Using floating plants like water lettuce, hornwort, cardamine, etc., can level off nitrates in a hurry. I have personally observed this first hand through testing and experimentation. The only problem is that if you have a lot of high light plants, you have to be careful that such floating plants don't take over too much of the surface and block light from getting to those plants that need it the most.

[Scottio]

I wouldn't worry too much about the nitrates. Tests have been done to show that very very high levels of Nitrates are not harmful to fish, plants, and do not directly cause algae.

I think you're relatively safe unless it's reading >300ppm Nitrate.

If it's increasing over time find out what the source is. If it's staying relatively level--even at the levels you tested--, grats you don't have to dose NO3.

[PRESTON4479]

I used Kent proplant and Kent freshwater plant on my 55g and had alot of success with it. I too experienced high nitrate levels but it never seemed to harm my fish. I have recently switched to dosing dry ferts because it is a great deal cheaper and you have more control over what you are dosing. I used to use 2 tsp of each liquid fert daily. And never had a problem with algae. Although I am injecting co2.

I still have plenty left if you are interested?
1-64oz bottle of each at least 3/4 full.

But if at all possible switch to dosing dry. You'll save alot of money and get the same if not better results.

Brian