Need to get Nitrate Level Down Fast!

[Jaybella8]

Ok, so I've already done a 50% water change and siphoned the sand really good. My nitrate level is at 80 ppm but to my shock nitrites is at 0. Can anyone recommend a quick fix to get my nitrate level down and/or of they have any idea of why the levels would be off like that?

 

[Humblefish]

My nitrate level is at 80 ppm but to my shock nitrites is at 0.

<confused>

 

[sricorals]

Do a 80% water change. It should bring it down to zero.

 

[Jaybella8]

Do a 80% water change. It should bring it down to zero.

Is that gonna mess up the beneficial bacteria? I want to add a new fish asap

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Maybe need a bit more information -
How long has your tank been running? What inhabitants are there? What are your typical nitrate levels?

A fully cycled tank should have nitrites and ammonia of 0. Nitrates can vary considerably depending on feeding, sump etc.

Check out this super useful link for some information https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[sricorals]

You can add Instant Ocean bio-Spira with you new fish.

 

[Jaybella8]

You can add Instant Ocean bio-Spira with you new fish.

Does that solution bring down nitrate levels? I'm trying to get the levels down before I add the new fish

 

[Jason mack]

Does that solution bring down nitrate levels? I'm trying to get the levels down before I add the new fish

You seem too be in a hurry too get a fish in your tank .. it might be worth just slowing down and give your tank time to stabilize naturally.. this will be far more beneficial too your fish and your tank and yourself .. rushing anything in this hobby mostly tends too have a negative effect in the long run .. just my 2 cents worth !!

 

[Centerline]

As @sricorals suggested a large water change will bring the levels down asap. However, it may be best for your new fish to slow down a little and let nature do it's thing. Maybe adding a biological such as Probidio or Mbacter7 may speed things up.

 

[Jaybella8]

Maybe need a bit more information -
How long has your tank been running? What inhabitants are there? What are your typical nitrate levels?

A fully cycled tank should have nitrites and ammonia of 0. Nitrates can vary considerably depending on feeding, sump etc.

Check out this super useful link for some information https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

You seem too be in a hurry too get a fish in your tank .. it might be worth just slowing down and give your tank time to stabilize naturally.. this will be far more beneficial too your fish and your tank and yourself .. rushing anything in this hobby mostly tends too have a negative effect in the long run .. just my 2 cents worth !!

I have no fish in the tank currently and I really want a fish in the tank! It' my birthday, I have people buying me fish to put in the tank. I can't say no to that

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Happy Birthday!

Talk with your LFS about what and when to add as far as fish and water.

While I know you are excited to add fish I am sure you also want your fish to be healthy and live a long time as well.

Best of luck

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't see why nitrate needs to come down fast, and I'm not sure how it got that high to begin with, which may impact how you'd want to lower it and keep it from rising again.

 

[Jason mack]

I have no fish in the tank currently and I really want a fish in the tank! It' my birthday, I have people buying me fish to put in the tank. I can't say no to that

I can understand that .. but still it would be wise to wait.. if your tank can’t cope with your new bioload from your new fish and they die then it’s not really worth it .. and you’ll just have an empty tank again .. patients is everything in this hobby as well as good research and understanding of a reef tank .. your friends and family can still buy you fish .. just let them stay at the shop till your tank is ready ... I give this advice too help .. so you will get the most out of your tank and fish ..

 

[hockeyhead019]

+1 to what @Jason mack said above. Patience is key, even though it is less fun lol. How long has your live rock been in the tank? Are you using RO/DI to replace the water you're changing out?

 

[sde1500]

While it is nice that people are willing to buy you fish, I'd ask for a gift card to the LFS instead. First rule I made when I got my tank was "DONT BUY ME STUFF". Last thing I wanted was someone to come over with something I didn't want in the tank as a gift.

Since your cycle just finished, definitely take it slow. Now is not the time to rush things and dump a lot of fish into the tank. Look up quarantining, do some water changes, let nitrates go down slowly.

 

[sricorals]

I have no fish in the tank currently and I really want a fish in the tank! It' my birthday, I have people buying me fish to put in the tank. I can't say no to that

Happy birthday! ONLY If you already have the fish, add correct amount of bio spira and then fish. Test your water every other day, make water change accordingly and add bio spira for the amount of new water. It may take a while under this method to stabilize you parameters. If possible get gift cards and add fish slowly. Good luck!

 

[sullyman]

How much rock do you have in the tank? How old is the tank? Don't rush it or you'll have fish in your tank, but not for long.

 

[Brian Jones]

Ok, so I've already done a 50% water change and siphoned the sand really good. My nitrate level is at 80 ppm but to my shock nitrites is at 0. Can anyone recommend a quick fix to get my nitrate level down and/or of they have any idea of why the levels would be off like that?

Denitrate

 

[stevieduk]

I have no fish in the tank currently and I really want a fish in the tank! It' my birthday, I have people buying me fish to put in the tank. I can't say no to that

have a tank running for at least 3 months before adding anything. If people want to buy you fish as presents , i am sure they will wait if you explain the situation. They will be more upset if you tell them there fish died

 

[alex.mccann99]

You need to step back and take a breath, was reading through your responses and other people's recommendations. First, why are your Nitrates at 80, even after a 50% water change and you have No fish currently. Are you using RODI for water changes or Tap Water? Did your tank actually Cycle? This all sounds like a recipe for disaster that will basically lead to dead animals and you being frustrated. Salt water tanks move slow, it's just a fact. There are some tricks you can do, such as using Bio Spira, but this basically just speeds up the colonization of bacteria that feed off the Ammonia, turning it into Nitrites and then Nitrates. It will.not get rid of your Nitrate problem.