High Nitrates Problem

[ThatPhillyReefer]

Hello, Ive been testing my nitrates for a few weeks now and its been reading really high, 60-80ppm. My tank is a 90g 3 years old, i do a water change every other week, i have a refugium and never had a nitrate problem until now. after water changes its still been reading high.

any ideas?

 

[Matt Bravo]

my immediate thought is maybe a dead animal. Is there any fish you haven’t seen in a while that could be decomposing?

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

my immediate thought is maybe a dead animal. Is there any fish you haven’t seen in a while that could be decomposing?

nope, all 6 of my fish are still there, the only thing i havent seem is my peppermint shrimp so maybe hes dead somewhere?

 

[Matt Bravo]

nope, all 6 of my fish are still there, the only thing i havent seem is my peppermint shrimp so maybe hes dead somewhere?

Could be but he won’t spike nitrates that high. Any macroalgae in a refugium/DT?

Edit: by “could be “ I mean could be dead, not “could spike nitrates that high”

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

Could be but he won’t spike nitrates that high. Any macroalgae in a refugium/DT?

yes i have macroalgae

 

[KrisReef]

How about your top off water?

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

How about your top off water?

what about it?

I use rodi, made from my aquaticlife rodi unit

 

[Matt Bravo]

yes i have macroalgae

Is it all healthy/growing or does it look like it’s dying? I used to have macro too but I was very new so I killed most of it and kept it in the system hoping to bring it back
I did not bring it back and I had crazy high nitrates just like you

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

Is it all healthy/growing or does it look like it’s dying? I used to have macro too but I was very new so I killed most of it and kept it in the system hoping to bring it back
I did not bring it back and I had crazy high nitrates just like you

yes as i know of. i dont see any dead spots or dullness

 

[Matt Bravo]

yes as i know of. i dont see any dead spots or dullness

I’m pretty stumped now tbh, maybe test again and go slow to make sure everything is accurate (watch a “how to” just to make sure everything is done correctly)
I don’t mean to doubt you but honestly I’m kinda out of ideas

 

[KrisReef]

Time for a 50% water change.

 

[Matt Bravo]

Why have I not asked this….
What test kit are you using and how old is it?

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

Time for a 50% water change.

I just did one today

 

[Matt Bravo]

Time for a 50% water change.

Yeah I think that’s the best solution especially if animals are visibly stressed

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

Why have I not asked this….
What test kit are you using and how old is it?

salifert brand new, expires 1/28

 

[Matt Bravo]

Do you have corals? If so are they visibly effected by this?

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

Yeah I think that’s the best solution especially if animals are visibly stressed

nothing looks stressed tho, only thing is my acro doesnt have any polyp extension

 

[Matt Bravo]

Do you have a skimmer? When was the last time you changed filter floss/ filter sock?

 

[Matt Bravo]

do you have coralline growing constantly?

 

[ThatPhillyReefer]

yes

Do you have a skimmer? When was the last time you changed filter floss/ filter sock?

yes, reef octopus and works great! i change my filter socks and other floss every water change