Habitat - Indoor :: Tap water Nitrate levels.

[Chrisbarnett]

Okay, so I was testing around with my nitrate kit, tested the tank, it was about 40PPM, so I did a water change. But as I was doing this, I figured lets check the tap water. So I did, and it comes out that my tap water has about 5-10PPM nitrate in it already. Shouldn't it be 0PPM? Is this normal for tap water?

I'm not concerned about this, just wondering if its normal or not?

What have been your results with testing tap water? if any..

Thanks.

[Rubicon]

Is there a way to lower nitrates other than changing water? IE certain aquatic plants?

[Chrisbarnett]

Yes, aquatic plants do well, as does beneficial bacteria in your filter.

I don't have a way to keep aquatic plants in my tank though, squirt will eat them, and I don't have a sump to put them in.

[robind]

Chris: If your tank is large enough, you might do like DavidY and make a 'cage' for your plants using eggcrate.

[untsmurf]

It's a cheap idea, but couldn't you put them in one of those gerbil balls?

[Chrisbarnett]

Chris: If your tank is large enough, you might do like DavidY and make a 'cage' for your plants using eggcrate.

This idea crossed my mind earlier. I didn't know it had already been done. What was this called so I can search for it? I'm interested in making this, if for no other reason that fun.

About the hamster ball, I'd do it if they didn't look so crappy.

[marisa]

Re the nitrate level in tap water---wouldn't it depend on what, if anything, is in the water?

[Chrisbarnett]

Well just for update purposes, I read a thread on this same subject on a fish keeping forum. Most of the people said that it was normal for this... but 10PPM is a bit high. They advised to call the city water to lower the levels... But we live on a private road with a well sytem supplying the upper half of the road(the half we live on) and the houses on it. So I will just deal with the nitrate levels, it's not a big deal.

[steve]

Are you going to take another reading later, perhaps it was just an irregularity.

[Chrisbarnett]

Yeah. I'll take one later tonight.