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i have a 6 foot tank and i have pretty good filtration but i can never get the nitrate down, is there meant to be nitrate in the tank. ive asked so many times about which of the three is worst, amonia nitrite ir nitrate and have been told that nitrate is the lest dangerous but for some reason im not convinced and when i buy fish from the stors the water dosent seem to have any nitrate in it so i really need to be set straight and told whether it matters to have nitrate in the tank or no, please help, im losing sleep. thanks(and tony the proud aussie, thanks for your help, im not secod guessing you im just really confused, thanks) thanks

The only way to completly rid the tank of nitrates is to do regular water changes and add plants. Which when you have oscars is hard to keep the plants alive. No amount of filteration will completly rid the tank of nitrates only water changes and plants to absorb it.

If you do go for plants use potted ones which have more of a chance and prune overgrowth. Also good lighting is need during the day.

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TONY The Proud Aussie

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I believe a level of up to 300 ppm is acceptable for most freshwater fish. The goal would be to have it down around 20-30 ppm but that is nearly impossible unless you go into a saltwater tank, OR do regular moderate/large water changes. If you are testing your water and you are over 300 ppm then you need to start lowering that number relatively quickly under that number and you should be fine.

PS I am pretty sure about the 300 ppm if I'm wrong someone please correct me.

Adam