So my dad has a predator tank with a few lion fish in. I have a reef tank, he has decided that he want to turn it into a predator reef tank. I told him we would have to rest the nitrates before he put his first one in. When we tested I am pretty sure he has nitrates of around 300. Yes 300. He has now done two 100% water changes and it is still that high. Does anyone have any ideas of ways to get it down to even a half normal level.
Crazy crazy crazy. Nitrates
- Thread starter Hartah23
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Reeferdood
2500 Club Member
Water changes, lots of them....
The rocks are likely leaching if you are still seeing those numbers..
How are you testing anyhow??
The rocks are likely leaching if you are still seeing those numbers..
How are you testing anyhow??
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Diesel
ME=1, CANCER=0.
300................ you shouldn't be able look through the water.
Pretty sure that's testing error.
Lets get our friend @Randy Holmes-Farley in here.
Pretty sure that's testing error.
Lets get our friend @Randy Holmes-Farley in here.
Diesel
ME=1, CANCER=0.
I think you be better off by redoing the tank in a weekend.
Empty all, do a good scrubbing, maybe re-silicon the inside.
New sand but cook you rock (no not really cooking) just over MA and rinse good and let it sit in the sun for a few hours.
Empty all, do a good scrubbing, maybe re-silicon the inside.
New sand but cook you rock (no not really cooking) just over MA and rinse good and let it sit in the sun for a few hours.
What are your thoughts on re-siliconing the inside? Do high nitrates damage the silicone?
Diesel
ME=1, CANCER=0.
Not that I know off but 15 years is a long time and the silicone wasn't what it is now days.
Just check the inside seams and if silicon is raffling and loose than my advice is strongly.
I would try a different test kit, or take a sample to your lfs for a second opinion. Continue the water changes until you get it under control. Then employ some type of carbon dosing and an oversized skimmer with a regular water change schedule. Once the organics has broken down to nitrate; that's it, it does not multiply and I doubt very much that it leeches from the silicone. Any amount from the rocks would equalize to a point of saturation then the water changes would lower it.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
^This 100%
Diesel
ME=1, CANCER=0.
To be clear I never said it come from the silicone but a 15 year old tank, if you emptied you might as well re-silicone it on the inside.
Easy job to do.
Rocks and sand are some of the blame but a high No3 is in most cases coming from just feeding to much.
Easy job to do.
Rocks and sand are some of the blame but a high No3 is in most cases coming from just feeding to much.
Mike in CT
Valuable Member
To me, if the nitrates are that high, water changes are not cost effective.
Might be time for a tank redo,or carbon dosing, or a sulfur reactor.
Might be time for a tank redo,or carbon dosing, or a sulfur reactor.
