Nitrate at 50 after 2 water changes!!!

[bgolpmp]

I have a 60 cube with a small sump under it. I neglected the tank for a while and am trying to get it back up and running. I tested the water and the nitrates were at least 50 (red sea test kit only goes to 50) and I did a 30 gallon water change (RO/DI at 0 TDS). Tested the water a few days later and had the same result with nitrate. Did another 30 gallon water change 2 days ago and tested the water again and the nitrate is again 50!!! The only other thing I tested for today was KH and that was at 11.2. I am going to do another 30 gallon water change tonight hoping that will help. Anything else I can do to help this out??????? The tank water does look better, a lot brighter not so yellowish since the water changes.

I should also mention I am running a filter sock that I am changing every 4 days and have a protein skimmer.

Thanks for the help
Andy

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

just keep doing large water changes. then address the cause. over feeding? not enough water changes? etc.

 

[bgolpmp]

OK I was just looking into vodka dosing but I would like this fixed sooner than I think that will fix the problem. I will keep up on the large water changes.

Thanks!!!

 

[norfolkgarden]

Spend $14 on an API nitrate kit.
It goes up to 160.
There is a chance your tank does too.
Mine was a little darker than 80, no where near as dark as 160, the next level.
Small relief. [emoji849]

The API kit has 90 tests in it. A better use of your money right now than wasting the more accurate Red Sea tests.

Hope it improves soon.
[emoji846]

 

[bgolpmp]

OK I tested with my API test kit and came up with very diffrent results. I was having issues with keeping corals and people on here told me to get better test kits. Thats why I got the red sea test kits. The API kits expire in 2020 What should I think of this??

Thanks everybody!!

 

[norfolkgarden]

OK I tested with my API test kit and came up with very diffrent results. I was having issues with keeping corals and people on here told me to get better test kits. Thats why I got the red sea test kits. The API kits expire in 2020 What should I think of this??

Thanks everybody!!

Wow. Like the left one! [emoji23]

Mine is usually dark orange/light red.

Maybe repeat API test?

Can you test at LFS?

 

[bgolpmp]

I did repeat the api test and i will stop by my local fish store tomorrow if i have time. I am going to try and do another 300 gallon water change tonight

 

[Ktran350]

Is the Red Sea test kit new? Maybe it’s a bad one? I ran into the same issue a few weeks ago with my Red Sea Nitrate test kit (tested high even with dilution). I agree with norfolkgarden, bring a sample to LFS and double check. I went with Salifert Nitrate test kit and been good to go since (steady at less than 10 ppm).

 

[KrisReef]

If the tank is ok I would slow down on the water changes. You may do more harm trying to get your test kits to read “right” then by making slower changes over time.

What are you trying to fix with all these water changes besides a color in the test vial?

 

[SPR1968]

Hi Andy and firstly welcome to R2R!

If your doing 30g water changes then after the change, in theory the nitrate levels should have halved as well.

If you have corals they won’t take kindly to large swings in water parameters which could easily occur with a 50% water change, hence why the ‘general recommendation’ is 10%. If it’s fish only it should be ok as long as the salinity etc matches.

With corals all parameters including foundation elements need to be maintained at stable levels and this may be why you say you have struggled. Stability really is the key irrespective of the numbers, provided they are within acceptable limits.

See this
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Are you sure the water being used in the new saltwater is definitely 0 TDS RODI water, do you produce it yourself or is it from LFS (which tend not to be 0TDS) ? If the nitrate doesn’t change this could be the problem.

On the test kits the Salifert looks like between 0-5 and the Red Sea looks at the higher end off the scale maybe. I would tend to trust Red Sea which Ive always used until recently, although I used the Nitrate Pro rather than the basic but as already said if your unsure see what the LFS say, provided they are knowledgeable (some are some are not!)

I would keep away from carbon dosing at the moment as well

Maybe some tank shots would be helpful and just let us know how you get on

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Have you tested for nitrites in your tank using the Red Sea test kit? If you have nitrites present, the Red Sea test kit will give you a false high reading on your nitrates. I'm not sure if the API test kit will do the same or not. If the tank has been neglected, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that you have a small amount of ammonia and nitrite contributing to your problems.

IMO, I would do a nitrite test along with having your LFS test your water. If you are reading nitrite in the water, then I would test for ammonia. You may be going through a mini cycle.

 

[Chrysemys]

Test your new water with both kits before you add it. This will tell you if you are actually adding 0 nitrate water, and if one of the two test kits is reading funky.