Bottled Water For Nitrate Reduction

Has anyone tried adding bottled water to their tank (10 gallon) for temporary Nitrate reduction? My problem is that I'm done cycling (still adding a couple of drops of ammonia each day when it drops to 0 ppm), but no shrimp (they're coming in 2 days). My Nitrate always runs around 10-20 ppm. Even after I do a 50% water change, it doesn't really drop because my tap has 5 ppm. The bottled water is at 0 ppm. I'm sure once the shrimp are in there and I stop adding Ammonia, the nitrate won't be that much of a problem.

 

Has anyone tried adding bottled water to their tank (10 gallon) for temporary Nitrate reduction? My problem is that I'm done cycling (still adding a couple of drops of ammonia each day when it drops to 0 ppm), but no shrimp (they're coming in 2 days). My Nitrate always runs around 10-20 ppm. Even after I do a 50% water change, it doesn't really drop because my tap has 5 ppm. The bottled water is at 0 ppm. I'm sure once the shrimp are in there and I stop adding Ammonia, the nitrate won't be that much of a problem.

As long as it is distilled water I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

Spring water or just plain drinking water should be fine. I wouldn't do distilled unless I had either some equilibrium or replenish to add in the necessary minerals. Distilled water has had all of the minerals stripped from it.

 

Has anyone tried adding bottled water to their tank (10 gallon) for temporary Nitrate reduction? My problem is that I'm done cycling (still adding a couple of drops of ammonia each day when it drops to 0 ppm), but no shrimp (they're coming in 2 days). My Nitrate always runs around 10-20 ppm. Even after I do a 50% water change, it doesn't really drop because my tap has 5 ppm. The bottled water is at 0 ppm. I'm sure once the shrimp are in there and I stop adding Ammonia, the nitrate won't be that much of a problem.

You do know that nitrates 40 and below are normal and safe right. But I reread your post and you have shrimp, so 20 is your number. What filter are you running and what is in it? Planted?

 

It is a divided 10 gallon with 2 single sponge filters. Currently have 2 golf ball size java moss and 2 1.5" marimo balls.

 

It is a divided 10 gallon with 2 single sponge filters. Currently have 2 golf ball size java moss and 2 1.5" marimo balls.

Along with what you are doing, the only thing I would suggest is adding plants to help.

 

I have some water sprite (Ceratopteris Thalictroides) coming in next week. I was going to leave them foating.

 

Well the bottled water did drop the Nitrates, but also dropped my GH & KH.

 

So adding distilled water you should remineralize your water salty shrimp I have heard is a great product for shrimp. I think Nitrates at <40 is fine for RCS. Lower is always better but 40 is not that bad. Remember shrimp need stable water so you also want to match ph and temperature as close as you can.

 

Has anyone tried adding bottled water to their tank (10 gallon) for temporary Nitrate reduction? My problem is that I'm done cycling (still adding a couple of drops of ammonia each day when it drops to 0 ppm), but no shrimp (they're coming in 2 days). My Nitrate always runs around 10-20 ppm. Even after I do a 50% water change, it doesn't really drop because my tap has 5 ppm. The bottled water is at 0 ppm. I'm sure once the shrimp are in there and I stop adding Ammonia, the nitrate won't be that much of a problem.

You should be able to get it to less than 10 ppm if your tap water is at 5ppm. And you should be able to keep it there if you do regular, adequate water changes and you don't overstock or overfeed your critters. I'm a miser. I'd rather work harder on my tanks than spend extra money trying to fix the problem lol!