High Nitrates

[mikemanis]

so what kind of plants would you put in that will work with the mbuna I have.. I read that they eat/ kill the plants.. by the way - I have no idea what the numbers above mean Assume the harder the water - the higher the nitrates?

Thanks

 

[Rasta Fish]

Your tank looks nice
With all those rocks and pebbles lots of food are probably getting In them that can also cause the spike also if uneaten food get in your filter it may also contribute to it

 

[MDB_fish_newbie]

I would try java fern. It is very easy to maintain. Java fern likes low light and will grow fairly quickly bUT wont take over your tank. Also, I dot know if this is fact, but it has a bitter or undesired taste to fish. I. Any tank I've had it in, the fish have left it alone. With all the cool decor in your tank it would be perfect. Tie the rizome (root) with a fine thread to the fixture of your choice and that's it. Don't bury the root. Once the fern starts to thrive it will attach itself to the objext its tied to. It will spawn at the tips of the leaves and you can cut them off and start the process over again. Its avalable at most pet stores that have plants. I hope that was helpful! I love the stuff, But sadly it's the only plant I know anything about, I wish I knew more.

 

[mikemanis]

Now I am going to ask the stupid question..
Based on what I have read - Hardness relates to PH - and if I have moderately hard water - that is good to maintain a higher PH - which is good because I want a higher PH in the tank.. right?

What does this have to do with nitrates and keeping them down?

 

[MDB_fish_newbie]

Another questing i cannot answer with certainty. Im sure ph and hardness might have some effect on the nitrification process. I could be completely wrong but i don't believe that it has as much an effect as the fundamentals of that process. I attached a simple photo of the cycle, although its small it was the clearest i found.

I would just stick to doing regular water changes, gravel vac waste or uneaten food, agitate the gravel to release any gas, stay on top of servicing filters, and possibly introduce plants.

And also wait for someone else to give u a more technical response!

 

[CSnyder00]

More water changes and larger changes, natural plants, maybe some easier to move hiding spots so you can scoop them up easily to gravel vac. I typically only clean one HOB filter at a time, like you do. This ensures a healthy bacteria population. You've got the best advice I could have given at this point. Keep us updated.

 

[Termato]

Harder water can be more resistant to the change in pH, this is because of the carbonate hardness (KH). This is the alkalinity of the water and it effects the tolerance in changing the pH of the water. The general hardness (GH) is different and is the measurement of calcium, magnesium, and other ions concentrated in the water. The harder the water, the more of these minerals present.

You'll have to excuse me as the reason I brought it up was just to clear up the data I had gotten from those sources I posted. I got side tracked. The hardness wont have any effects on your nitrate levels as far as i'm aware.

Good luck on the nitrate issue and remember, water changes saves lives!