I'm a new member needs nitrate advice

Cameron Fournier · Mar 25, 2017

I have a 72 gal bowfront FOWLR and my problem is I can't seem to get nitrates under control. 0ppm Ammonia. 0ppm nitrite. Buffering capacity between 180-300, probably closer to 300 side. 8.3ish ph. Approx 100 pounds of fine sand = to 3-4 inches with 100+ pounds of live rock. Salinity is at about 1.024

I know what you're saying: man, I would kill for a tank like this! Everything is freaking perfect!! Except the nitrates, what's the deal with those?

Here's the part where I get yelled at. It's probably stocking. I have a 4" lunare wrasse (semi-aggressive) with a 2.5" Picasso trigger (cautious), 2" kole tang (timid) that works harder than most illegal immigrants to keep that tank clean. And I have a pair of caramel clown fish 1.5" and 1" (community) plus 5 LARGE snails although one got eaten today, probably by the wrasse. So I have 4 large snails also working to keep everything clean.

I have 2 fluval 405 with all kinds of filter media and carbon and I put 2500 gals worth of seachem prime into the tank over 4 weeks

I change 10 gallons every week or 25 gallons if I miss a week. Nitrates seem to be at EXACTLY 40ppm. That never waves. It doesn't go higher, it doesn't go lower. What can I do to lower nitrates and keep them down??? Chemicals are great. If I have to buy 5000 more gals of prime, I'll gladly do it. Just want to create an environment that's as safe and stable as possible

SPR1968 · Mar 25, 2017

Try NoPox by Red Sea. You dose every day and it should bring the Nitrate under control

Frop · Mar 25, 2017

Cameron Fournier said:
I have a 72 gal bowfront FOWLR and my problem is I can't seem to get nitrates under control. 0ppm Ammonia. 0ppm nitrite. Buffering capacity between 180-300, probably closer to 300 side. 8.3ish ph. Approx 100 pounds of fine sand = to 3-4 inches with 100+ pounds of live rock. Salinity is at about 1.024

I know what you're saying: man, I would kill for a tank like this! Everything is freaking perfect!! Except the nitrates, what's the deal with those?

Here's the part where I get yelled at. It's probably stocking. I have a 4" lunare wrasse (semi-aggressive) with a 2.5" Picasso trigger (cautious), 2" kole tang (timid) that works harder than most illegal immigrants to keep that tank clean. And I have a pair of caramel clown fish 1.5" and 1" (community) plus 5 LARGE snails although one got eaten today, probably by the wrasse. So I have 4 large snails also working to keep everything clean.

I have 2 fluval 405 with all kinds of filter media and carbon and I put 2500 gals worth of seachem prime into the tank over 4 weeks

I change 10 gallons every week or 25 gallons if I miss a week. Nitrates seem to be at EXACTLY 40ppm. That never waves. It doesn't go higher, it doesn't go lower. What can I do to lower nitrates and keep them down??? Chemicals are great. If I have to buy 5000 more gals of prime, I'll gladly do it. Just want to create an environment that's as safe and stable as possible

Welcome!

How long has your tank been running?

Donovan Joannes · Mar 25, 2017

My weapon of choice. Home made denitrator keep my nitrate below 5ppm for over a year with virtually no maintenance at all. Good at keeping phosphate at good level as well.

kschweer · Mar 25, 2017

Welcome to R2R! Sounds like a newer tank go me. I wouldn't go the chemical rout le personally. I would first hold of on any new additions until you get the NO3 under control. How long has the tank been set up? Did the tank properly cycle before adding livestock? I would get ready to do some water changes, 20% should be good once a week to lower your NO3. Also make sure you keep up with maintenance on your canister filters.

Maacc · Mar 25, 2017

Cameron Fournier said:
I have a 72 gal bowfront FOWLR and my problem is I can't seem to get nitrates under control. 0ppm Ammonia. 0ppm nitrite. Buffering capacity between 180-300, probably closer to 300 side. 8.3ish ph. Approx 100 pounds of fine sand = to 3-4 inches with 100+ pounds of live rock. Salinity is at about 1.024

I know what you're saying: man, I would kill for a tank like this! Everything is freaking perfect!! Except the nitrates, what's the deal with those?

Here's the part where I get yelled at. It's probably stocking. I have a 4" lunare wrasse (semi-aggressive) with a 2.5" Picasso trigger (cautious), 2" kole tang (timid) that works harder than most illegal immigrants to keep that tank clean. And I have a pair of caramel clown fish 1.5" and 1" (community) plus 5 LARGE snails although one got eaten today, probably by the wrasse. So I have 4 large snails also working to keep everything clean.

I have 2 fluval 405 with all kinds of filter media and carbon and I put 2500 gals worth of seachem prime into the tank over 4 weeks

I change 10 gallons every week or 25 gallons if I miss a week. Nitrates seem to be at EXACTLY 40ppm. That never waves. It doesn't go higher, it doesn't go lower. What can I do to lower nitrates and keep them down??? Chemicals are great. If I have to buy 5000 more gals of prime, I'll gladly do it. Just want to create an environment that's as safe and stable as possible

Sounds like stocking and feeding probably, but make sure you clean out the canisters well and frequently as well as check out the tank for dead spots with detritus accumulation. If you have room, definitely give some thought to an algae turf scrubber.

Paul B · Mar 25, 2017

Cameron Fournier said:
Nitrates seem to be at EXACTLY 40ppm. That never waves.

40!! My nitrates are 160. Does that make me bad?

tcarter1936 · Mar 25, 2017

Paul B said:
40!! My nitrates are 160. Does that make me bad?

I doubt his tank is 40 years old. But I'll be willing to bet someone is going to disagree with your methods. Lol

Tahoe61 · Mar 25, 2017

Paul B said:
40!! My nitrates are 160. Does that make me bad?

No, nor does it offer any assist to the op.

Back to topic: Have you considered changing the system and using a sump rather than canisters and running an ATS?

Paul B · Mar 25, 2017

tcarter1936 said:
I doubt his tank is 40 years old. But I'll be willing to bet someone is going to disagree with your methods. Lol

I am sure most of them will.

Tahoe61 said:
No, nor does it offer any assist to the op.

Back to topic: QUOTE]

Yes it does as a nitrate reading of 40 is not that high for a tank his size with that fish load. It also sounds like a new tank. If he wants those fish healthy, he needs to feed them. And feeding that load of fish properly will cause nitrates to go up. That is my opinion. But of course you can disagree with my opinion. And Yes, I realize my nitrates are much to high. But 40, in that tank, not to much. In my opinion of course.

I also believe that adding chemicals to that tank is a bad idea. IMO again.

dbl · Mar 25, 2017

Welcome to R2R.

Paul B · Mar 25, 2017

Yes, I forgot that, Welcome to R2R

Pockets · Mar 25, 2017

I'd change more than 10 gallons at a time your not removing enough water to make any impact on those nitrates also try dusting all ur rock work when doing water changes you'd be surprised on how much detritus is in there