Permissable Nitrate Levels ?

[wsboyette]

I have a FOWLR (if that is the correct moniker for a tank containing some fish and several crabs and snails) in which the nitrate level has increased to a constant 2.5 mg/l. Maybe the correct name for my setup would be FIWLR.... :eyebrows: Knowing that fish can easily tolerate much higher nitrate levels and inverts cannot, what is the maximum safe level for the crabs and snails ? Ideally it should be at zero, and may decrease over time (as the addition of three fish during the last two months had caused it to go from zero to 2.5).....

 

[Scooterman]

Just keep working to get your levels to where they were, adding more fish equals more husbandry for your FOWLR tank

 

[NanaReefer]

Anything above 20ppm and you risk loosing your inverts.

 

[Krish]

Fish can tolerate quite a bit of nitrates, but inverts don't do so well. As suggested, may have to stat on top of tank husbandry to keep levels under control. Anything like sponges, filter socks etc shouldn't be left longer than about 3 days IMO otherwise they aren't serving much purpose as the waste it traps is still in the system rotting which degrades water quality so I'd stay on top of things line that including water changes.

GL


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[wsboyette]

Yes, I am familiar with the cause of nitrates and how to reduce production of them. As I said, I am certain mine will fall back to zero as the bio-system catches up and I work to keep things clean. My original question was regarding the danger level for inverts, and NanaReefer has answered that to perfect satisfaction.

 

[Krish]

Yes, I am familiar with the cause of nitrates and how to reduce production of them. As I said, I am certain mine will fall back to zero as the bio-system catches up and I work to keep things clean. My original question was regarding the danger level for inverts, and NanaReefer has answered that to perfect satisfaction.

Totally missed that line for some reason about the inverts. My bad. When I first got into the hobby I used regular tap water because I didn't know any better and had a coral bandit shrimp, some hermits and snails and they all lived. Not sure if it was because they were wild caught why they made it (maybe really hardy) but when I learned about nitrates and tap water etc and tested my tap water, the nitrate levels were higher than my kit could even read. Checked the tank and it was in the upper double digits. Can't remember the exact number but was really high and really surprised that any of them even made it.


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[wsboyette]

Odd that tap water would have high nitrate levels; guess different places have different water problems. I wonder if RO/DI would remove the nitrates ? It may be that crustaceans and snails can tolerate higher nitrate levels. Our water only contains chloramine, once you get rid of that you have great water. We do not even have any phosphates in our tap water. I quit trusting that dubious RO system I have (it had a problem and killed 3 of my fish with chloramine-contaminated water), began just neutralizing the chloramine with reef-safe conditioners, and my fish and inverts are flourishing.

 

[Krish]

Our tap is terrible here. It's not like in the US where you can drink right from your faucet. It looks good, but contains a lot of stuff you wouldn't want in your body or a tank.


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[wsboyette]

Just keep working to get your levels to where they were, adding more fish equals more husbandry for your FOWLR tank

The LR caught up and lowered the nitrates to zero in my tank. As I was keeping up the maint. anyway, all it took was a little less feeding and some time !