Nitrate Problem

Hi All,

We use borehole water to fill our tanks as there is not a municipal feed to our warehouse. Water parameters when water comes out the tap are Ph 5.6 until oxygenated then settles at 6.7; ammonia 0; nitrite 0 nitrate 70ppm which is high. We were never that worried about testing for nitrate on our tanks as it was assumed that even if there were it would not be very high and also we do regular top ups and water changes so it should keep it under control - WELL so much for that assumption. A quick test on the tanks revealed some very high nitrate readings and obviously even with water changes its not going to do much. Our water pressure is not that great so using RO is not really an option. Does anyone have any suggestions or products that can possibly be of help.

 

ROunits can get a pump to get the water presure up.

 

seachem -denitrate

 

Hi Ryno,

Sorry what i failed to mention was that we have over 120 000 L of aquarium water.

 

Hi @trevor1971
You could probably fill a large tank with borehole water and floating plants, duckweed or something, then take your aquarium water from there and keep it topped up with borehole water. Idea being that the plants use up the nitrates before you use the water. You might get a bunch of insects and things with your fresh water but that's probably cool, keep a couple goldfish in the fresh water tank and they'll probably keep the nasty stuff under control for you. Just make sure the tank holds a large enough body of water to prevent swings.

Also make sure you've got a less invasive (than duckweed) floating plant in each tank to eat up nitrates... hence taking out plants = taking out nitrates.
Not sure just how viable any of this is, seems too simple so you'd be wise to do some proper research first.

 

@trevor1971 Is this your drinking water as well? If it is you should probably find out what is causing such high nitrates.

 

sorry have to ask What are you filling with 120 000 litres

 

and pictures please!!!

 

do you have access to sunlight ?

if so .. algae tubes (probably a bit of a stretch) or a natural like wet land with some bogplants then do a slow trickle in and out of tanks .... but that will waist a bit of water.

since you are

Occupation:
Import / Wholesale Live fish



When we arranging a TASA tour ....

 

.. some ggling ..

seems like activated carbon is not the way to go due to dumping at some stage ..

this bit of research seems promising

Nitrate removal from three different effluents using large-scale denitrification beds

 

we have over 200 4ft tanks and some 30 - 1000L holding ponds

 

Wouldn't suppose you open to public ?

 

Orca bio cubes , I haven't done A water change on my 1000l plus jardini tank since putting them in last year sometime ,just top ups with r.o and tap water mixed and my nitrates are Still way below measurable levels , I was skeptical about the cubes but now will advise them 100% , I'm sure he would be willing to look at something to get on board with you . as we'll out of all the marine freshwater companies I've dealt with I must say , best customer service emails are responded to straight away . And your opinions and finding with the product are taken up with interested and not the normal supplier ya ya whatever .