80-120 Nitrate Level!!!!

Donald Gilliss · Feb 14, 2019

Did an all around parameter check and my nitrates are through the roof! It’s showing on the color chart between 80-120 ppm and I have no clue what to do!
Also what all effects will this have on my tank?

Brad Miller · Feb 14, 2019

With that high of Nitrate, I would think you would have a super rich algae garden in there.
You sure your test is accurate ?

RMS18 · Feb 15, 2019

Agree with above.. What test kit are you using? Exp date?

SeaDweller · Feb 15, 2019

Brad Miller said:
With that high of Nitrate, I would think you would have a super rich algae garden in there.
You sure your test is accurate ?

I had 200+ and PO4 of 3+ no algae issues, wasn't happy with it though. All back on track now for a 240...

Scotty Buttons · Feb 15, 2019

What is in your tank? Fish only? Softies? Mixed reef? 100+ nitrates may not be a big deal depending on your inhabitants .. also like stated above what kind of testing method are you using?

Donald Gilliss · Feb 15, 2019

I do have an algae garden.....

Donald Gilliss · Feb 15, 2019

My tank has 2 chromis, 2 clowns, 1 mandarin goby, 1 fire goby, 1 scooter blenny, 1 ruby red blenny, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 Coral banded shrimp, a sebae nem, pin chusion urchin, app. 6-10 hermit & 3 emerald crabs, 8 nass. snails, 5 cerinth snails, 1 Mexican turbo. My frags are a toadstool leather, hammer coral, Dunkin, and gsp. Also have a monapora (not sure on the spelling for that one) @scottybuttons

Musovski · Feb 15, 2019

do 15% water changes every 2-3 days. this way the tank doesnt go into shock.

Scotty Buttons · Feb 15, 2019

What kind of test kit are you using?

Also how are your corals looking?

Donald Gilliss · Feb 15, 2019

API master kit, and all corals are looking good still!

Hemmdog · Feb 15, 2019

That test is inaccurate. Get Red Sea or salifert

Scotty Buttons · Feb 15, 2019

I agree those API test kits are notoriously inaccurate. But hey if your corals are looking great don't do anything drastic. Get a more accurate test, do regular water changes and if the coral are looking good then... hey, if it ain't broke don't tryn fix it.

Musovski · Feb 15, 2019

All i know is my corals look amazing and i run around 60ppm. soooo....

vetteguy53081 · Feb 16, 2019

No offense but I have no faith in API test kits as too many false readings out there in the field. Start with a water change. After 24 hrs, take a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test it to see what results they come up with and take it from there. If they carry Red Sea products, buy a small bottle of Red Sea No3Po4 . the stuff works effectively for control of nitrates and phosphates.

Mighty Joe · Feb 16, 2019

I have used API for more than 20 years and It just work fine, I don’t know where ppl got that.(that is not a trustable test) before all Red Sea and plus there where just API in the market. Too much marketing to pay for a fancy one.
must of times I’ve seen ppl doesn’t really knows how to properly test their tanks. Just my 2 cents.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 16, 2019

Mighty Joe said:
I have used API for more than 20 years and It just work fine, I don’t know where ppl got that.(that is not a trustable test) before all Red Sea and plus there where just API in the market. Too much marketing to pay for a fancy one.
must of times I’ve seen ppl doesn’t really knows how to properly test their tanks. Just my 2 cents.

Not all kits are bad but I sold them for 11 years when I owned a retail pet store and used it exclusively for testing, mainly because it was cheap to use. Over the last few years, TOO MANY reefers who were let down by false readings and I lost my faith in API kits. They are still a good bang for the buck but a disappointment when I have urged many to take a water sample to LFS for 2nd opinion to hear their kits were way off on what the test reveled for them.
I like the API especially for ease of use but personally wont use them anymore as I have gone to digital and electronic instruments and have ELOS kits for back-up