- 1). Look for any algae in your tank. The presence of algae suggests that there is a high nitrate level as a result of rotting or dead plants or plant parts. The existence of algae will help to immediately narrow your focus.
- 2). Clean any algae from the sides of your fish tank, using an aquarium scrubbing brush. This is necessary to increase visibility as you inspect your plants.
- 3). Check the fish tank for any rotting plants, and remove them. Also, prune away any dead or dying leaves and plant parts from the existing plants, even if the bulk of the plant appears healthy.
- 4). Add additional live plants to your aquarium to reduce nitrates and improve the health of your tank. These live plants absorb the existing nitrates from the water and process the nitrates to satisfy their chemical processes. Some plants will also absorb ammonia, which, while not immediately helpful in the short term, will help reduce nitrates in the future.
- 5). Change the water in your tank. Do not change all the water at once; otherwise, you may kill or shock your fish. Refreshing between 25 and 50 percent of the water will go a long way in reducing nitrates. Your water should be clear and relatively fresh at all times.
- 6). Make sure the new plants in your aquarium are receiving sufficient light. Insufficient light will kill off your plants and complicate your nitrate problem, as opposed to reducing it. Insufficient light will cause immediate plant decay, so be sure to keep your tank in a naturally bright area for the welfare of your new plants.
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