New fish and Nitrate.

[newby01]

Hi everyone. I have had my fish only marine tank setup now for about three months. I've had my large nitrate spike (lost some fish) and nitrates are sitting around 5ppm at the moment. I haven't lost a fish in over a month and things seem to be going well.

If I was to introduce a new fish, is 5ppm too high?

 

[Pistondog]

I think fish can tolerate pretty high nitrate levels, which is the point of cycling a tank.
5 ppm is fine.
It is likely something else took the fish (ammonia or nitrite or other).
How high was the spike?
What size is the tank and how many fish?

 

[newby01]

I introduced way too many fish at one time and lost 5. It was up to 12 fish. 55 gallon tank. Spike was about 30ppm. 7 fish left.

 

[Greg P]

I don't feel 5ppm NO3 is any problem, and 30ppm most likely wasn't your issue before. Your losses were probably due to NH3 issues and lack of O2.
I'd recommend using a Seachem Ammo Alert and manage NH3 carefully.
Use some Dr Tim's One and Only, or Instant Ocean Bio-Spira

And make sure you have enough gas exchange going on to help keep the water oxygenated

 

[newby01]

Lots of air exchange happening, that hasn't changed since the tanks beginning. Thanks, will look into those as well. Appreciate it