High nitrates.

[gms1234]

Hi All,
I have a 800L/200gal reef tank that is 4 months old. Have cycled with dr tims. I have since had high nitrates fluctuate between 30-40 and occasionally upto 50. Tested on the hanna checker.

I have been dosing reel reef pro bioblast daily for past couple months.

I have a skimmer + UV.

My current parameters are:
Alk 8.5
Mg 1260
Ca 370

Ph 8.3

Phosphate 0 - was 0.03 post cycle and then dropped to 0 about 2 months ago.
Nitrate 37.5
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

Temperature 77f / 25c

Stocked with 4x soft corals and a few snail.

I have done 1 larger water change of approximately 75gal.


After some advice to get nitrates lower so I can add some fish and more corals.


Thanks

 

[Matt Bravo]

pretty high but since you mentioned there’s not many fish in them they should drop pretty quick with water changes I would recommend stocking slowly so you can keep track of how fast/slow nitrates rise in the future

Other than that good luck

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Your nitrate level is not that high. But you do need to raise the phosphates...

 

[Crustaceon]

A tank generally isn't going to keep nitrates in check on it's own no matter how much denitrifying bacteria you pour in. Even a protein skimmer typically won't do that. You'll have to add one of the four to the equation: Carbon dosing, some sort of algae growth (Algae turf scrubber/refugium), a sulfur denitrator or the old and trusty regular water change. Currently, you tank is phosphate-limited and would benefit from dosing a SMALL amount of phosphate and a carbon source like vinegar or Nopox daily.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Hi All,
I have a 800L/200gal reef tank that is 4 months old. Have cycled with dr tims. I have since had high nitrates fluctuate between 30-40 and occasionally upto 50. Tested on the hanna checker.

I have been dosing reel reef pro bioblast daily for past couple months.

I have a skimmer + UV.

My current parameters are:
Alk 8.5
Mg 1260
Ca 370

Ph 8.3

Phosphate 0 - was 0.03 post cycle and then dropped to 0 about 2 months ago.
Nitrate 37.5
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

Temperature 77f / 25c

Stocked with 4x soft corals and a few snail.

I have done 1 larger water change of approximately 75gal.


After some advice to get nitrates lower so I can add some fish and more corals.


Thanks

Nitrates look pretty good for a softy tank, imo. If you want them lower, change out 50 gallons of water which will lower them by ~10 ppm. Also a refugium or algae scrubber can be added to help lower nitrate.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hi All,
I have a 800L/200gal reef tank that is 4 months old. Have cycled with dr tims. I have since had high nitrates fluctuate between 30-40 and occasionally upto 50. Tested on the hanna checker.

I have been dosing reel reef pro bioblast daily for past couple months.

I have a skimmer + UV.

My current parameters are:
Alk 8.5
Mg 1260
Ca 370

Ph 8.3

Phosphate 0 - was 0.03 post cycle and then dropped to 0 about 2 months ago.
Nitrate 37.5
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

Temperature 77f / 25c

Stocked with 4x soft corals and a few snail.

I have done 1 larger water change of approximately 75gal.


After some advice to get nitrates lower so I can add some fish and more corals.


Thanks

So, in the life of your tank, you've only done one water change?

 

[Troylee]

Your nitrates are fine and actually what I prefer for my Sps believe it or not lol… they get a thicker skin and better coloring in my experience. Go ahead and add fish a couple at a time won’t hurt in that large of a tank.

 

[gms1234]

So, in the life of your tank, you've only done one water change?

I've done a few small ones here and there. The 75gal was a large one that I did.

 

[gms1234]

A tank generally isn't going to keep nitrates in check on it's own no matter how much denitrifying bacteria you pour in. Even a protein skimmer typically won't do that. You'll have to add one of the four to the equation: Carbon dosing, some sort of algae growth (Algae turf scrubber/refugium), a sulfur denitrator or the old and trusty regular water change. Currently, you tank is phosphate-limited and would benefit from dosing a SMALL amount of phosphate and a carbon source like vinegar or Nopox daily.

Ok. I'll look at getting some phosphate and cabon dosing. Thanks

 

[twentyleagues]

Seems to me without anything to produce nitrates we are putting the cart before the horse. No fish currently w/c should eventually take it to 0 but thats not really all that good. Id do a few w/c of decent size 15-20% ovr the next couple weeks and add a few fish. Then worry about controlling any new phosphate and nitrate. Algae scrubber, wc, fuge.

 

[Troylee]

Let me ask this.. how are you testing nitrates? Api test kit?

 

[gms1234]

Let me ask this.. how are you testing nitrates? Api test kit?

Hanna hr test kit.

 

[MrGisonni]

MY mixed reef likes nitrates around 30 fwiw

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

MY mixed reef likes nitrates around 30 fwiw

Me too. 30-50 and phos 0.3-0.5

 

[MrGisonni]

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[Aquariumaddictuk]

I've cut nopox & actually started dosing nitrate.
I use to fret about both but my softies & LPS have gone mad with nitrates @ 15ppm & phos at .25.montipora seems to enjoy it too.let it ride I say.if your concerned water changes or carbon source will help

 

[1112-425XL]

Just an FYI, hanna cuvettes must be cleaned extremely well inside and out or you will definitely get false readings.

 

[gms1234]

Just an FYI, hanna cuvettes must be cleaned extremely well inside and out or you will definitely get false readings.

I will give them a better clean. Might explain my fluctuating levels