High Nitrate?

tmccaff · Oct 17, 2022

I have what it appears cyano and hair algae (however it comes off actually easy so not sure). Anyway, my tank water volume is about 60 gallons and tested Nitrate was at 25.9 using Hanna Nitrate checker. Did 20 percent water change and tested 3 hours later and now 21.2.

I am guessing need to do a bigger water change but not sure. I guess should check phosphates as well. I do also have chaeto. I am curious on why and how Nitrates got so high. I have 3 cardinals, pistol shrimp and a Royal Gramma.

BroccoliFarmer · Oct 17, 2022

tmccaff said:
I have what it appears cyano and hair algae (however it comes off actually easy so not sure). Anyway, my tank water volume is about 60 gallons and tested Nitrate was at 25.9 using Hanna Nitrate checker. Did 20 percent water change and tested 3 hours later and now 21.2.

I am guessing need to do a bigger water change but not sure. I guess should check phosphates as well. I do also have chaeto. I am curious on why and how Nitrates got so high. I have 3 cardinals, pistol shrimp and a Royal Gramma.

Unless guy have corals, 25 is not that big a deal. Even if you did, that number is not TOO bad for anything but sps. I would actually recommend against another water change right now as you could be making your other parameters swing too.

Given you have chaeto, you have something to help reduce or at least slow down the rise. Wait a day before you do next water change.