nitrate question

[flame]

is it possible to get zero nitrate level? or only very low level

and what is alkilinity

 

[Anonymous]

It's possible to get zero for a water level. That doesn't mean there are no Nitrates being created, it just means that they are being consumed or removed as fast as they are being produced.

As far as 0.0ppm Nitrates being desireable is a debateable subject. IMO very low levels is good.

 

[Anonymous]

is it possible to get zero nitrate level? or only very low level

and what is alkilinity

Agree with Guy...I used to think Nitrates were so very bad, but between what Guy has shown me and some additional reading and experience of people like Guy, I am finding it isnt as bad as I once thought.

Alkalinity is the measurement of your "buffer system". It is in simple terms, a measurement of how much acid can be added to your tank before it affects the pH.
Acid is created in your tank by the respiration of the inhabitants, the waste products, uneaten decaying food etc....the Alkalinity is how much of this can be added before your pH is affected.
alk-calcium and pH are all related, and is easy to figure out onc eyou have a few months worth of test results measuring these parameters.

 

[brandonberry]

You should consider reading some of the back issues of Advanced Aqurist, especially the chemistry section written by Randy Holmes-Farley. With respect, if you aren't familiar with alkalinity, you have a little reading to do before you can expect to see good results in your aquarium. I can't remember exactly which issue it was, but one back issue had a very detailed article on the relationship of calcium and alkalinity and the different methods of maintaining them. The bottom line is that you should rarely, if ever, adjust one without the other, or you could cause serious problems in your tank.