HELP!

[bxwin]

My tank is experiencing high nitrates for some reason. It is a new tank and the Nitrate level is at 50 PPM.
What should I do?

 

[Palyzoa]

I would do a water change of at least 20-30%. Start there and check again tomorrow. Just curious, How long has the tank been running, how much do you feed?

 

[chefjpaul]

Water changes.

Whats in the tank - fish, rock, etc..?
How new is new?
What test kit?
RODI water?
How did it cycle, bacteria establish?
Most of all...Patience..

 

[Humblefish]

How long has your tank been setup? Is it still cycling? Nitrate spikes are part of the cycling process.

 

[bxwin]

It is my first tank. However, I transferred over live rock and sand from an existing tank. I have been doing water changes once or twice a week using RO water. I am using the API saltwater master kit. I have 3 corals in there, 2 toadstools and a favia. Couple starfish.

 

[chefjpaul]

It is my first tank. However, I transferred over live rock and sand from an existing tank. I have been doing water changes once or twice a week using RO water. I am using the API saltwater master kit. I have 3 corals in there, 2 toadstools and a favia. Couple starfish.

No fish?

 

[bxwin]

No fish

 

[chefjpaul]

I haven't used api test kits in years, but I assume they are still not to accurate.

Maybe before anything drastic, use another test kit, or go to LFS and double check.

Either way, water changes are always good.

 

[ReefEco]

Might just be detritus and build up in the rock and sand, especially if you transferred over sand from an established tank. Did you rinse the sand?

 

[bxwin]

No I did not. I figured I would want the bacteria from the sand and rock to reduce the length of the cycling process or so I was told

 

[bxwin]

No I did not. I figured I would want the bacteria from the sand and rock to reduce the length of the cycling process or so I was told

 

[ReefEco]

That might be part of it then - essentially you disturbed all the detritus and stratification of nutrients in the sand, and so it is likely releasing into the tank. You might kick up up in-tank flow, give the sand a good siphon, put on a filter sock, run some carbon. Water changes, as already suggested. Also, as mentioned, nitrate is part of the cycle - but it sounds like you are not feeding since you have no fish? In which case, again, the nutrients are probably coming the sand and/or rock. Give it some time...