How do I get my nitrates down?

[Lucas Lembke]

Hello. The tank has been cycling for about 3.5 weeks and all parameters are good except my nitrates are at 20 ppm. How do I get these down? Do I simply do a water change?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Correct. Small water changes. Approximately 10 percent

 

[Lucas Lembke]

Correct. Small water changes. Approximately 10 percent

Thanks for the quick reply! I will let you know how the parameters are in a couple days!

 

[tdileo]

I agree water changes for the initial drop and they will also probably be an important part for constantly keeping NO3 levels down. However, there are other ways. I’ll assume you have a protein skimmer and not bring up how much one of those can help, but in addition you may want to look into biopellets, a refugium, or carbon dosing to help lower nitrates and GFO for phosphates. There are so many things to learn in this hobby!

 

[JimmyV]

I would agree with water changes, also vacuum up the sand if you have . Don't rush into carbon dosing ,to early in your initial cycle . Gfo , refugium are good to do anyway. Tdileo hit the point so many things to learn.

 

[Lucas Lembke]

I agree water changes for the initial drop and they will also probably be an important part for constantly keeping NO3 levels down. However, there are other ways. I’ll assume you have a protein skimmer and not bring up how much one of those can help, but in addition you may want to look into biopellets, a refugium, or carbon dosing to help lower nitrates and GFO for phosphates. There are so many things to learn in this hobby!

Yes I do have a protein skimmer. It's the Reef Octopus 150 int

 

[jsker]

Time and patients, your in the very beginnings of the cycle. once your at 12 weeks and the nitrates are running get back with us

 

[Centerline]

Hello. The tank has been cycling for about 3.5 weeks and all parameters are good except my nitrates are at 20 ppm. How do I get these down? Do I simply do a water change?

Wait - 6 to 8 weeks out they should start dropping.

 

[Lucas Lembke]

Should I put in some doctor Tims nitrifying bacteria or is it too late in the cycle?

 

[Xandernfs]

Short term solution: Water change.

Long term solution: Many, but I've been using Seachem Matrix and that has helped tremendously!

 

[Centerline]

Should I put in some doctor Tims nitrifying bacteria or is it too late in the cycle?

Should help but still, be patient.

 

[five.five-six]

Wait - 6 to 8 weeks out they should start dropping.

And then, like me you’ll be struggling to get them back up LOL

 

[Lucas Lembke]

Correct. Small water changes. Approximately 10 percent

Tested water today and no changes in nitrate. Is it too late in the cycle to use Dr. Tims live nitrifying bacteria and dose ammonium chloride?

 

[Flexin]

Did you put livestock in the tank? Any fish or inverts?

 

[Xandernfs]

And then, like me you’ll be struggling to get them back up LOL

This is my problem at right now! I've been hovering around .25-.5

 

[GoVols]

Did you put livestock in the tank? Any fish or inverts?

+1
If @Lucas Lembke is down to burning nitrates, could add something like clown fish, but hold off on things like anemones.

I would not dose ammonium (again), just add a hardy fish to keep the cycle going.

System could still be building anaerobic bacteria to gas off nitrates.

 

[beaslbob]

macro algaes or an algae turf scrubber IMHO as the best means of consuming nitrates.

my .02

 

[Lucas Lembke]

Did you put livestock in the tank? Any fish or inverts?

Nope

 

[Lucas Lembke]

So what I'm hearing is add a hardy fish like clownfish? I will quarantine them for 4 weeks then add them

 

[JimmyV]

I rather you put a green chromis in instead. They are very hardy plus a bit cheaper to use for cycling purpose than a clown.