How to lower Nitrate level

[BigBearReef]

I am a new reefer and have some questions about how to lower nitrate levels in my tank. My take is about 2.5 months old and am wanting to know what a acceptable level of nitrates are as well as if they are too high how to lower them. I am currently at 10 for nitrates.

AquaTop 40
Tuesday 12/10 06:51 PM
Temperature: 77.7 °F
pH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 10.0 ppm
Salinity: 1.024 SG
Notes: Added 2 tips of buffer to raise ph # to 8.2

 

[Idoc]

5-10 ppm nitrate is a good target. Nitrates are easily controlled with water changes. The bacteria required to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas is anaerobic and usually grow deep inside live rock... and also take a long time to build up. You can create some anaerobic systems to remove it, but water changes are so much quicker.

 

[DirtMcGurt]

Have you checked your Phosphates yet? They need to be somewhat in balance with your nitrates.

 

[BigBearReef]

No I have not as this is a fish only tank so far.

 

[DirtMcGurt]

I'm not sure if it's still as critical with a fish only tank. Maybe someone can say for sure but you'll definitely want to check that balance if you ever get coral.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

10 seems perfectly acceptable to me

Most would caution against using ph buffers