Nitrates. How much is too much!

Nitrates. How Much Is Too Much!

by Jack Trebnio

There are many notions as to acceptable levels of nitrates. In fish only aquariums with large predatory fish, reports of 600-ppm levels at public aquariums without noticeable consequences seem acceptable. Things change very quickly when we start looking at delicate species such as butterflies, fairy wrasses, dwarf angels, and most reef organisms. It is generally recommended that nitrates be maintained at less than 20-ppm, and ideally at 0-ppm.

Beating Rising Nitrates

Traditionally, the surest way to get rid of nitrates has been the water change, dilution being the solution to pollution! Frequently this approach is far less practical and more complicated than many hobbyist’s are willing to undertake with the required gusto and frequency. First, there is the expense: salt is not cheap. Second, there is the inconvenience; it takes buckets, drums, and hoses. Thirdly, it takes time to do it right. Numerous products over the years have promised nitrate control but not delivered.

De-nitrification reactors are notoriously fickle, capable of killing off an entire tank with hydrogen sulfide, and never mind the expense. Nitrate boxes and nitrate zeolites remove so little nitrates via bacterial activity that they are not a practical solution to the ever-rising levels.

A Better Approach

Recent advances in polymers have led to the development of “selective ion exchange resins.” One such resin has such a strong affinity for nitrate that even in a complex ionic soup such as sea water, it binds nitrates preferentially over other ions. Because resins are regenerable, they can be implemented at a very low cost. A one-time purchase provides months and months, even years of total nitrate control.

PURA NitrateLock Maintains Near 0-ppm Nitrates

In less than 24 hours, NitrateLock will remove half of the nitrates present in the typical saltwater aquarium. After a simple 5-minute regeneration in a strong table salt solution, the resin will remove another half of the remaining nitrates over the next 24 hours or less. With each regeneration cycle, about half of present nitrates are removed. A tank containing 200-ppm of nitrates can be brought down to 12-ppm in just four 5-minute regenerations.

NitrateLock can be regenerated hundreds of times making it a truly low cost superior alternative to massive water changes. Simple, step-by-step regeneration instructions and product specifications can be found on our web site in the long product descriptions.