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i know ammonia is caused by fish wastes,nitrite is what eats ammonia(right) and what causes nitrate.it eats nitrite but what causes it after the nitrite is gone?

Ammonia is directly produced from fish; when bacteria eat ammonia it forms nitrite, and when another type of bacteria eats nitrites it forms nitrate. So ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates are the chemical food and waste products of different types of bacteria. Nitrite is never really gone; ammonia is continuously produced and continuously converted to nitrites, and then the nitrites into nitrates. At least, this is the case in a healthy aquarium with a stable biological filter.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

yes but are nitrates only removed by partial water changes?

Hi,
Controlling Nitrate, the end product of the Nitrogen
Cycle is done through regular water changes, vacuuming
the gravel, and the addition of live plants. The live
plants take up the nitrate and store it. When the plants
are trimmed and discarded you throw away some of the
nitrate.

Usually, we use fast growing stem plants. As the plants
grow toward the surface, we snip of the top three inches
or so and plant them in the gravel. The old part will
grow a new top and strike off for the surface and the
new part will grow roots and begin a new plant. Eventually
the original plant (stalk) will be come a very dark
green and the stalk turn woody. Then we throw that part
away.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

thjank you frank

Keep in mind that to control nitrates through plants means to have lots of plants and not very many fish. Thus, you should still perform water changes to reduce nitrates.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

i cant realy have live plants with my oscar except maybe floating ones.

whats a good floating plant that doesnt need to much light,maybe hornwart?

Hi,
Depending upon your lighting, floating Hornwart
or anacharis might work. For stem plants, you
will want about 2-2.5 watts per gallon. And,
as was mentioned, it will take a lot of plants
to make a dent in a high nitrate reading. The
main "cure" is good, regular (weekly in some cases)
tank maintenance (water changes and gravel vacuuning).
Moneywart is another floating possiblity.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Remember to remove any dead portions of the plants or they will decay and put the nitrates back into the water (maybe ammonia too). If you use hornwart, keep an eye on it. If it dies it can make a mess - lots of needles that will need to be vacuumed up.

would the hornwart and other such plant be ok w/the oscar?i think it should be fine cuz he wont rip em up since there not implanted in the gravel.right...or will he destreoy them?