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Watering the aquarium plants.
On Mon, 5 Apr 2004 22:09:19 +1000, "Graham Broadbridge"
wrote: "Cardman" wrote in message .. . BTW -- you should try to get those nitrate levels down. 100ppm is definitely on the very high side where it will be toxic for at least some fish species. My fish can live in much higher levels perfectly fine, where they just become unhappy in a world where algae rules. So they are very happy with anything between 50 and 150 mg/l, when algae growth is very slow at this level. 100 ppm NO3 is extremely toxic for freshwater fish, but of course any animal can acclimatize to unsavoury conditions given time. Well, even had I replaced totally all the water, then Nitrate levels would exceed 100ppm in about a week. In rare occasions when I am just two occupied with other things, then it is algae that controls my Nitrate levels by explosive algae growth. I'm not surprised that algae growth is slow at 100 ppm Nitrates. Algae is opportunistic and will find a better environment or hibernate. Currently I manually remove it as much as possible. A nice idea, but what you do not mention is that plants in fact use up very little Nitrate, which is why I would have to bed plants very heavily for any beneficial effects. Plants use a lot of NO3 here. Given that your nitrate levels exceed 100ppm I'm not surprised that you see no NO3 consumption. My problem I am sure is half due to the Nitrate levels in my tap water followed by more than a few fish in the aquarium. The poor plants have no chance to even get started. My plant problem is more a case of unsuitable plants for my former water conditions and lighting, when those plants that are suitable do very well. Their problem then is mostly an algae one, where my Goldfish Weed is a favoured sticking point for algae. And since this is difficult to remove, then often some of the plant is removed with it. I still have some of this plant growing in my tank, but either I need to get algae and Nitrate levels in better control, or my new plants will need to be algae resistant. I'd suggest you reduce nitrate from your tap water to start with. Yes, where now that I am aware that there is high levels of Nitrate in my tap water, then so can I do something about it. Keeping a good aquarium is all about such knowledge. Cardman http://www.cardman.com http://www.cardman.co.uk |
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