Fluval 13.5: High nitrates 40ppm

[brightonreef]

Hello,

I have fluval 13.5. It has been running for about a year as a fish only tank, however I started adding corals a couple of weeks ago. Testing my water today shows I have high nitrates.

Other parameters:
pH: 8.0
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
Salinity: 1.025

I will do a water change, but what else should I do to correct this at the root cause? It is possible it is down to overfeeding, as I have a two spot goby I’ve been trying to get to eat for around a month now (thankfully he is eating pellets as of the last few days). So I might cut food for a day or two as well.

Research tells me the stock media basket is pretty bad for nitrates so I am looking to upgrade it. Any thoughts as to what I should use instead? I currently have the basket, chemi pure blue, and biodynamic ceramic media filter. I’ve heard I should perhaps use filter sponge and floss.

Or could the nitrates be caused by something else?

Thanks for reading!

 

[Dom]

Hello,

I have fluval 13.5. It has been running for about a year as a fish only tank, however I started adding corals a couple of weeks ago. Testing my water today shows I have high nitrates.

Other parameters:
pH: 8.0
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
Salinity: 1.025

I will do a water change, but what else should I do to correct this at the root cause? It is possible it is down to overfeeding, as I have a two spot goby I’ve been trying to get to eat for around a month now (thankfully he is eating pellets as of the last few days). So I might cut food for a day or two as well.

Research tells me the stock media basket is pretty bad for nitrates so I am looking to upgrade it. Any thoughts as to what I should use instead? I currently have the basket, chemi pure blue, and biodynamic ceramic media filter. I’ve heard I should perhaps use filter sponge and floss.

Or could the nitrates be caused by something else?

Thanks for reading!

FAITHFUL, WEEKLY 20% water changes will bring it down.

 

[brightonreef]

FAITHFUL, WEEKLY 20% water changes will bring it down.

Thanks, I will make sure I keep on top of water changes! Do you think I need to swap out the original media basket? Or is it okay to keep?

 

[kabal2]

do water changes, maybe a bit more often than once a week till you get your parameters in check, don't stop feeding because that will be like if you have a toilet issue and stop eating, and see if you can check how the flow goes thru the media basket and fix accordingly

 

[Nanojoe]

Try some Microbacter 7. That stuff has never failed me in reducing nitrates.
Take a look at your PO4 as well, i have read some testimony's about low phosphate not allowing nitrate to be lowered or consumed. Not sure how true it is or what the science is behind it, but i have hear/read about it more than once. Worth noting and giving it a shot if you are short on solutions.

 

[Aqua Man]

I have fluval 13.5. It has been running for about a year as a fish only tank, however I started adding corals a couple of weeks ago. Testing my water today shows I have high nitrates.

Hi, do you have an algae issue at all? Good CUC?

What other fish besides the Goby?

 

[brightonreef]

do water changes, maybe a bit more often than once a week till you get your parameters in check, don't stop feeding because that will be like if you have a toilet issue and stop eating, and see if you can check how the flow goes thru the media basket and fix accordingly

Okay, I won’t stop feeding entirely, but I might cut it a bit. Will also check out the flow through the media. Thank you!

 

[brightonreef]

Try some Microbacter 7. That stuff has never failed me in reducing nitrates.
Take a look at your PO4 as well, i have read some testimony's about low phosphate not allowing nitrate to be lowered or consumed. Not sure how true it is or what the science is behind it, but i have hear/read about it more than once. Worth noting and giving it a shot if you are short on solutions.

I will look into getting some Microbacter 7, cheers for the tip.

I’ve lost my phosphate solution number 1 from my master test kit. Maybe I’ll have to go out and get another one to see if they are low. Thanks very much.

 

[brightonreef]

Hi, do you have an algae issue at all? Good CUC?

What other fish besides the Goby?

Thanks for replying!

I have two clowns.

I do have some algae growing. I was kind of hoping it was green coralline, but now I am not so sure :/

I’ve attached some pictures.

 

[Nanojoe]

I will look into getting some Microbacter 7, cheers for the tip.

I’ve lost my phosphate solution number 1 from my master test kit. Maybe I’ll have to go out and get another one to see if they are low. Thanks very much.

Nice. just be careful with it. Trust me, it works VERY VERY well.

 

[Dom]

Thanks, I will make sure I keep on top of water changes! Do you think I need to swap out the original media basket? Or is it okay to keep?

Water changes, fresh media in your media baskets on a regular basis, vacuuming your substrate…

These are all things that should be part of your weekly husbandry. Old filter media can often be a source of elevated numbers.

 

[Aqua Man]

I do have some algae growing. I was kind of hoping it was green coralline, but now I am not so sure :/

Looks good! Coral look healthy. Looks like a few specs of coralline is starting. Astrea snail hard at work! Add a couple more.

Alkalinity? Even a softy tank needs a stable Alk. Also will help the coralline spread and compete with the algae.

Those coral will not mind a slightly elevated nitrate. Water change, as others mentioned, is the easiest for a Nano. 5 gallon water change would cut it down to 20ppm.