[shawnwaldon]

I have a 29 gallon aquarium that has been set up for around 8 weeks. Here are the current parameters as of yesterday.

PH - 6.2

Am - 0

Nitrite - 0

Nitrate - somewhere between 20 and 40

KH - 4

GH - 5

Everything zeroed out about three weeks ago and I can't seem to get the nitrate below what's listed. I have done several large water changes, increased my plant load, been very good about getting any decayed leaves out. Algae has only been an issue once 2 days ago after I added my second light. There were fish in the aquarium for a couple weeks but I took them back to the LFS 4 weeks ago. I am a truck driver so the aquarium only gets touched once or twice a week and all the equipment is on timers. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[mbkemp]

I don’t see co2 listed. I think you risk algae with two lights

The aquasoil is probably still releasing ammonia leading to higher nitrate.

Water changes or something like hornwort, anachris, or some floaters are a thought


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[SueD]

Test your tap water too for a comparison.

 

[shawnwaldon]

I guess I should have been a little more through. I have pressurized co2 and i'm on city water with a ph - 7.0 no ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite. I never tested the KH or GH. I am using Fluval Stratum for substraight

 

[mbkemp]

No worries. Go slow with your second light. The stratum is probably adsorbing kh. Not sure where I got aqua soil from🤷[censored]♂

What ferts are you dosing?


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[dukydaf]

In response to the title. It is safe. If the aim is to have a nice planted aquarium with some fish in it, the level is good. Most would agree you want over 10 mg/l for good plant growth.

Many aquarium fish would be able to live in 100 mg/like, not optimal but...

Also do not trust your No3 test kit. It is one of the most unreliable test kits on the market.





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[houseofcards]

The Nitrate readings give or take would be consistent with using aquasoil. At eight weeks there is plenty of N in there for the plants.

 

[shawnwaldon]

I dose iron, potassium, and a local micro macro mix

Thank you for the info everyone.