Post by Deleted on May 26, 2013 2:13:00 GMT -5
I took this from an excerpt I read about the effects of nitrate toxicity
Nitrates (NO3) in warm freshwater settings becomes toxic to fish at levels way higher than what we see stated 40ppm? safe; 80ppm? also safe.
Tom Barr, a reputable biologist who also enjoys fishkeeping and is most known for his work with planted tanks makes a clear statement, based on science, that NO3 is toxic to fish at levels of 400ppm.
It looks like the numbers we've been relying on are indeed unreliable. There are reports of fishkeepers breeding some of the most "nitrate sensitive" fish, such as discus and Rams in tanks were Nitrate is dosed (as a source of Nitrogen) as fertilizer regularly (some add every other day). In those tanks readings of 80ppm at the end of one week are quite common.
For Cold water freshwater fish, the toxic levels of Nitrates is lower; it seems that it is indeed a problem (nitrates I mean) for Saltwater tanks when it reaches the 100ppm.
this is the link to Tom Barr's report www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/3267-NO3-NH4-toxicity-test-on-plants-and-critters
Nitrates (NO3) in warm freshwater settings becomes toxic to fish at levels way higher than what we see stated 40ppm? safe; 80ppm? also safe.
Tom Barr, a reputable biologist who also enjoys fishkeeping and is most known for his work with planted tanks makes a clear statement, based on science, that NO3 is toxic to fish at levels of 400ppm.
It looks like the numbers we've been relying on are indeed unreliable. There are reports of fishkeepers breeding some of the most "nitrate sensitive" fish, such as discus and Rams in tanks were Nitrate is dosed (as a source of Nitrogen) as fertilizer regularly (some add every other day). In those tanks readings of 80ppm at the end of one week are quite common.
For Cold water freshwater fish, the toxic levels of Nitrates is lower; it seems that it is indeed a problem (nitrates I mean) for Saltwater tanks when it reaches the 100ppm.
this is the link to Tom Barr's report www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/3267-NO3-NH4-toxicity-test-on-plants-and-critters
