Nítrate no3

[justjenny]

Hi am new here I brought a current set up (TMC 85l tank) with two paired clown fish already in the tank, never had marine fish so am totally new I did some research before buying as iv wanted clown fish for years, anyway I gone to test the water this morning my PH was too low it was in the 7.4 instead of 8.2 so iv brought a new wave maker (the one I got given with the tank isn’t very good) so am waiting on that to come tomorrow and then the nitrate (no2) was absolutely fine at 0ppm but I did the test for the nitrate (NO3) and it come back as been in the 80ppm how do I get this down please? I had conflicting answers when I have googled it thanks

 

[Subsea]

@justjenny
Welcome to r2r and the hobby. I have been addicted for 50 years.

Neither of those numbers are a problem for fish. What else is in the established tank that you purchased?

Healthy Indo-Pacific reefs pH fluctuate between 7.6 -8.2.

With respect to high nitrate, that comes with new tank syndrome.

Nitrification bacteria break ammonia down to nitrites than to nitrate. De-nitrification happens in a reducing oxygen enviroment where bacteria break apart the oxygen molecule and release a free nitrogen gas molecule from the nitrate molecule. The energy required for oxygen scavenging of NO3 slows reproduction of anarobic & Faculative bacteria. Nitrification bacteria double in 20 minutes as oppressed to several hours for denitrification bactetia.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/nitrification_1.pdf

What else is in your tank besides two clowns?

What do you know about alkalinity and bufferring of pH?

Also, expect pH to drop when lights are off. During photosynthesis, photosynthetic organisms consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. When lights are off, they consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide produces a weak acid as it dissolves in water and reduces pH. A buffer like aroggonite begins to dissolves in water with reducing pH, especially in the substrate of the sandbed.

PS: Your wave maker is a good investment for circulating water and promoting good gas exchange at air/water interface. Good gas exchange removes excess carbon dioxide and more importantly, adds oxygen.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

There are several ways to lower nitrate, but on a small tank like yours, the easiest and fastest way is with water changes.

 

[Dburr1014]

What they said ^^^^

And welcome to R2R!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think the pH 7.4 is likely inaccurate. How did you measure it?

 

[justjenny]

Iv just got two clowns, a live rock and. Small piece of coral I put some small snail cleaners in last wk. Iv tested it with a one of them testing kits that you can do the PH nitrate and ammonia. Iv attached the other ones I did. I did a 10% water change last night and the other 10% I did on Saturday night.

 

[PopBot16]

Do a large WC.

 

[Subsea]

Iv just got two clowns, a live rock and. Small piece of coral I put some small snail cleaners in last wk. Iv tested it with a one of them testing kits that you can do the PH nitrate and ammonia. Iv attached the other ones I did. I did a 10% water change last night and the other 10% I did on Saturday night.

If the nitrate number concerns you, then do a larger water change and bring it down. Or do what I do and observe inhabitant’s behavior and chill out.

On a breakdown& set up expect fluctuations of nutrients. Not knowing your experience level, I suggest you put the test kits down and learn to observe the behavior of the tanks inhabitants. Using bio indicators of fish & coral behavioral and visual signs line rapid breathing or clamped fins. In the case if coral are feeding polyps elongated etc, etc….

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would ignore that pH value from a kit. It is likely not accurate.