How Do I Reduce the Amount of Nitrate in My biOrb Tank?

The line of biOrb fish tanks combines style and practicality. These fish tanks come with everything you need to get started, including not only the tank itself but also a lighting unit and built-in filtration. But while biOrb tanks are easy to set up, they still need to be maintained properly, just like any other tank. Part of that maintenance is checking the nitrate levels in the tank and taking steps to reduce them if they are too high.

Things You'll Need

  • Nitrate test kit
  • Siphon
  • Bucket
  • Shallow bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Change between one-quarter and one-third of the water in the biOrb tank each week. Performing regular water changes is one of the best ways to keep nitrate levels under control and keep the water quality high. Add a dechlorinator to the water unless you have your own well. Under normal circumstances, you should do a 10 percent to 15 percent water change, but a larger water change is required to reduce high nitrate levels.

    • 2

      Use a siphon or a combination siphon and gravel cleaner to remove the water from the tank. A combination siphon and gravel cleaner is recommended because it allows you to clean the built-up dirt out of the gravel while you do water changes. Start the siphon, then place the hose in the bucket to catch the water.

    • 3

      Fill the tank with new water. Use a shallow bowl placed in the middle of the tank and pour the water into that to avoid disturbing the plants and decorations.

    • 4

      Test the nitrate levels immediately after the water change, then again in one or two days. If the nitrate level spikes right away, you either have too many fish in the tank or you are overfeeding the ones you have. Give the fish as much food as they can eat within five minutes, then remove any uneaten food right away.

    • 5

      Reduce the number of fish in your tank if the nitrate levels are still too high. The round design of the biOrb tank is stylish and modern, but these tanks do not have as much water surface as square or rectangular tanks. That means they cannot support as many fish as a traditional tank with the same gallon capacity.