Best Nitrate Remover for Freshwater Aquariums | 2022 Reviews

Nitrate removers are special media that act as filters, efficiently removing nitrate from your aquarium. Some work via a biological process, while others use a chemical process. This article will discuss the best nitrate remover for freshwater aquariums and how it helps keep the habitat healthy.

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Best Nitrate Remover For Freshwater Aquarium Reviews

These reviews will help you to choose the best nitrate remover for your aquarium. All of them will help to optimize the nitration cycle. They create a toxin-free environment that allows your plants and fish to thrive.

Seachem Prime Fresh and Saltwater Conditioner

Seachem Prime is designed to be used in either your saltwater or freshwater fish tank. It will remove chloramine and chlorine. Within 48 hours, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite will be removed from the aquarium.

Heavy metals found in the tap water will be removed once they are at normal concentration levels. This effectively detoxifies the water for your plants and fish. It will not over-activate protein skimmers, making it ideal for reef hobbyists.

Your betta and neon tetra will enjoy the fresh environment that’s produced when this is used at start up. You can also add it when you are replacing water. Seachem Prime Fresh and Saltwater Conditioner facilitate the slime coat’s natural production instead of relying on artificial slime compounds.

Natural Rapport Aquarium Water Conditioner

Natural Rapport is an all-in-one conditioner that uses 11 active ingredients. It buffers pH and removes ammonia and nitrates. It also manages chlorine and chloramines.

Toxic heavy metals will be removed from your tank, while the slime coat and electrolyte balance will be restored. Fish fanatics and hobbyists can use this. This single formula contains everything you need to treat tap water.

Natural Rapport Aquarium Water Conditioner can be used as recommended to prevent or treat water mold, which can decimate your fish population. This works in minutes to bring the water in your tank within safe levels.

TankFirst Complete Aquarium Water Conditioner

TankFirst Complete instantly cleanses your tank, leaving it free of chloramines, chlorine, nitrites, and ammonia. It does not have a harsh smell. This makes it more pleasant to use for you. Since your fish can smell, it is more relaxing for them as well.

TankFirst Complete can be used for reef, freshwater, and marine environments. All sensitive freshwater and saltwater species are safe around this product. Your freshwater shrimp, live plants, corals, and betta fish will all thrive in habitats that have been treated with this conditioner.

TankFirst Complete Aquarium Water Conditioner can be added when water is lost by evaporation or when you are doing a replacement. This is suitable for beginners, as small spills will not adversely affect your aquarium.

BrightWell Aquatics Microbacter Start

BrightWell Aquatics Microbacter Start is a blend of micro bacteria, which can be added when starting your aquarium. The suspension contains live microbes, which are not pathogenic. They work to establish biological filtration quickly.

BrightWell Aquatics Microbacter Start will improve the rate of nitrification in your existing aquarium. In an emergency, you can use it to reestablish nitrification bacteria quickly. It cycles within seven days.

This suspension is designed for systems with a high population density. It can also be added to the water when you are adding new fish. If you’ve added medication for your pets or cleaned surfaces, this can help restore the balance in your tank quickly.

Premium Nitrate Reducer Filter Pad

The Premium Nitrate Reducer Filter comes as an 18 by 10 pad that can be cut to suit your aquarium’s dimensions. This can be used for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. Its resilient fibers trap floating debris.

The Premium Nitrate Reducer Filter is thick and rigid, so it fits your tank snugly. This is rigid enough to last a long time in sumps and aquaponic systems. It rapidly reduces nitrate levels.

Premium Nitrate Reducer Filter prevents toxic buildup in terrariums and aquaculture. Organic compounds will be removed before they break down.

The water will be kept clear, decreasing stress for your fish while improving wellness.

Seachem Purigen Organic Filtration Resin

Seachem Purigen is a macro-porous synthetic polymer. Its microscopic pores give it a large usable surface area. It’s designed to remove soluble and insoluble impurities from tank water.

Seachem Purigen can be used with corals, fish, and plants. It removes all forms of waste and nitrogenous compounds that plants and animals produce. This reusable resin can be cleaned by using a solution of bleach and water. This burns off the organic matter that has been removed from your aquarium.

What is the Nitration Cycle?

The nitration cycle (also known as the nitrogen cycle) is when waste products produced by the aquarium inhabitants are broken down and turned into nitrate. 

Waste products produced by living creatures in your tank contain ammonia. Bacteria belonging to the genus Nitrosomonas consume ammonia and excrete nitrite. Nitrite is toxic and high levels can harm or kill your fish. 

A well-balanced ecosystem will contain Nitrospira, another type of bacteria. The Nitrospira converts nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate is not as toxic as nitrite, but nitrate levels still need to be monitored.

Live plants are one way to help eliminate waste products in your fish tank. Plans will remove ammonia and nitrate from the water, but it is only temporary. The plants release nitrogen compounds into the water as old leaves decompose and die. 

Suppose there are not enough bacteria in your aquarium to convert all the waste products into less harmful compounds. In that case, you will need to invest in a biological filter or a chemical remover and keep up on frequent water changes.  

What are the Right Nitrate Levels for your Aquarium?

Nitrate is less toxic to fish than nitrite or ammonia. As nitrate accumulates, your bettas can be negatively affected. High nitrate levels will also contribute to algal bloom.

The ideal nitrate level for your aquarium is between 5 and 10 ppm. Some aquarists also like to run their aquariums at extreme levels. Do not allow your tank to reach 20 ppm or more since this is too high.

If you have a freshwater tank, levels would be closer to 9 or 10. If your system only has freshwater fish, the nitrate levels can be at the lower end. Reef tanks should be as near to zero as possible.

How do you Test for Nitrates?

Your aquarium nitrate levels can easily be assessed with a home test kit. Easy instructions come with each kit. You’ll only need to match the color of the test strip with the colors on the chart.

Nitrate water test kits are usually sold separately from those designed to test for ammonia, nitrite, and pH. This makes them more affordable.

If you do not feel comfortable using a test kit at home, you can ask your local fish shop if they do testing. Some may even offer one free test per month.

If you are breeding fish, it’s essential to test your water regularly. Young fish are susceptible to nitrate levels. You will need to replace the water to keep nitrate levels ideal.

What Happens if Nitrate Levels are too High?

If nitrate levels in your aquarium are too high, it can kill some of your fish. Even if they don’t die, high nitrate levels will affect the growth of young fish.

It will also cause algal bloom since these plants thrive on nitrates. Algae can remove oxygen from the water because, in darkness, all plants consume oxygen. This can cause an imbalance if the water conditions prevent the algae from producing a lot of oxygen in daylight.

Oxygen depletion can cause your fish to die. They will not be able to breathe properly. They won’t even be able to move around energetically since oxygen is needed for muscle action.

If you let your nitrate levels get to 50 ppm or higher, your fish will be subjected to stress. They will be more susceptible to disease.

Increased Chance of Disease

In the wild, fish become more susceptible to disease when nitrate levels are high. For example, fish are susceptible to brown blood disease when this happens.

The same occurs when tetra and other aquarium fish are forced to live in a tank with lots of nitrates. Fish will be more susceptible to diseases such as fish rot.

Fish rot is sometimes the result of a bacterial infection. It causes their fins to rot and appear ragged. Fish can also suffer from a fungal infection which causes similar damage to their fins.

Damaged Reproductive Organs

An increase in nitrate levels puts fish under stress. If your tetras are under stress, that will affect their reproductive health, and they’re less likely to engage in courting behavior or spawn in the tank.

Tumors of the reproductive organs can also develop in some fish species. These tumors can negatively impact the function of the ovaries and other organs.

Poor Growth and Color

When a tank contains high nitrate levels, it can negatively affect fish’s growth of all ages. When fish are exposed to gradually rising nitrate levels, they will suffer from changes in their overall structure.

Nitrates cause visible changes in the bodies of your fish as they struggle to deal with the toxic environment. Even their color will be affected. They will not display their natural color, and their color may fade.

Reduced Life Span

If the nitrate levels in your aquarium are not adjusted, your fish will start to die. The life span of your fish will decrease significantly because of the toxins in the water. Some of the changes are reversible, but nitrates can cause permanent damage.

Ways To Remove Nitrate from your Tank

If nitrate in your tank is above recommended levels, it must be removed. That should be done as quickly as possible. This article will discuss the most popular methods of removal, which can be used together.

Water Changes

Regular water changes are necessary for a healthy tank. You can remove 25% of the water if you have neon tetras in your tank. This helps to keep the environment ideal for them.

If you have a nitrate problem, you will need to remove more of your water. Ensure that you add a conditioner to the new water that is placed in the tank.

Live Plants

Live plants can help to keep your aquarium healthy. You should maintain the plants that you have. Ensure that you remove dead leaves from your plants regularly.

Dead leaves will decay, and that will cause an increase in nitrate levels. However, if you maintain the right number of live plants, they will use up the nitrates and remove them from the tank.

Reduce Tank Livestock

If the fish in your tank are struggling to breathe, enough oxygen may not be available for all of them. A quick way of reducing the severity of the problem involves removing some of the fish.

When you remove some, there will be fewer of them available to compete for the same amount of oxygen. You can put some of them in another tank. Which will allow them to recuperate before too much damage is done.

Cut Back On Feeding

You can cut back on feeding if you have a nitrate problem. Excess feed leads to excess waste production. Waste contributes to the production of nitrates in your tank.

While cutting back on the amount of feed you give your fish, ensure that they have enough. The aim is to avoid excess, which will drop to the bottom of the tank and decay.

You can utilize various strategies to ensure that you give just the right amount of food. If you have a lot of fish in the tank, you can put some in another tank to monitor feeding efficiently.

Water Conditioner

A water conditioner is an effective method of treating excess nitrates. When you add it to the water, it will quickly break down the excess nitrates. This allows the water to be clean and healthy.

The process of nitrate removal occurs gently. It will not shock your fish. If you use particular conditioners, your fish will not be affected by harsh odors.

A water conditioner visibly improves the state of your water. If it was murky, it will become clear. The water’s murkiness before would have also contributed to the formation of nitrates by extending the period of high oxygen use.

Nitrate Remover Filter

A nitrate remover filter takes the nitrates out of your water, which can be present as a result of decaying matter. This type of filter can also be used with tap water, ensuring that you can start your tank well.

A nitrate remover filter is easy to use. It can rapidly improve the quality of the water that you want to use for your tank. If you have a nitrate problem, you will need to do frequent water changes.

A nitrate water filter removes waste as it draws the water into its chamber and circulates it. This prevents waste from breaking down and causing your fish to be subjected to stress. Anaerobic bacteria may also work with the filter, and these also help to reduce nitrates.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nitrates

Final Thoughts on the Best Nitrate Remover for Freshwater Aquariums

Using the right nitrate remover for your needs will help keep your water clear and prevent cloudiness. You will also remove toxins such as nitrates and ammonia.

By using a nitrate remover regularly, you will help to keep your fish healthy. You’ll prevent problems with reproduction. You’ll also allow young fish to grow without any deformities.

If you’re a busy aquarist, a nitrate remover will help you save time and make tank maintenance easy. 

Looking for more gear for your aquarium? Head over to our Aquarium Gear section to see more reviews.

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