Nitrate checker

[Hilltopreef90]

Which nitrate checker should I get to check my nitrate? I had a low range but it’s not working properly no matter what tank I check (I have 3 tanks) the reading is 75.0.
My nitrates were usually in the higher range, I think my best reading was 15.2 , it’s rarely been in the single digits.
My tank is a year old mostly soft corals and lps
Should I buy a new higj range checker or low range

 

[Lasse]

I should prefer the high range here

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Hilltopreef90]

I should prefer the high range here

Sincerely Lasse

If my current checker keeps reading 75.0 could it be that my nitrates are over that amount and if they were wouldn’t my corals be affected?
my other issue and why I think my current one is broken is because I have 2 other tanks, one is a quarantine with nothing that would raise the nitrates and the checker read the same thing for all 3 tanks 75.0

 

[Duffer]

I have the Hanna hr and I really like it

 

[Lasse]

If my current checker keeps reading 75.0 could it be that my nitrates are over that amount and if they were wouldn’t my corals be affected?
my other issue and why I think my current one is broken is because I have 2 other tanks, one is a quarantine with nothing that would raise the nitrates and the checker read the same thing for all 3 tanks 75.0

Is it the High Hanna Nitrate checker?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Waters]

I have wanted to pick the Hanna HR but the reagents have been out of stock for months so I haven't bothered.

 

[flyingscampi]

What’s everyone using for checking no3?

What’s everyone using for checking no3?

www.reef2reef.com

Hanna HR

 

[KStatefan]

I have not had any trouble getting reagents lately

 

[Hilltopreef90]

Yes

 

[Sean Clark]

I would suggest that you get a second opinion on your test results. Especially since they are much higher than what you expect. Use another test, a friend, or your LFS to verify the results.

 

[Arego]

I've successfully kept corals in 60ppm NO3 for 2 years, not on purpose either. When the numbers were stable nothing was affected. I'm just saying it's possible, not ideal, that's all.

 

[Hilltopreef90]

My gsp are no longer coming out but the rest of the corals look fine and I recently added new gsp on the other side of the tank and they are looking fine and not retracted

 

[Lasse]

Yes

Take 1 ml aquarium water and 9 ml RO water (or fresh mixed saltwater) - if it still show high readings - the meter is broken

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Hilltopreef90]

I guess my nitrates are just really high ‍ And I guess my chaeto isn’t doing much to lower my nitrates
I tested again and got 73.4 on my small tank
75.0 on my 90 gallon
I’m thinking of switching to a media reactor since I don’t have room for both a refugium and a reactor and the chaeto isn’t helping to reduce the nitrates
Most of the corals all look great though so I’m wondering if my high nitrates are really a problem ‍

 

[Shirak]

I guess my nitrates are just really high ‍ And I guess my chaeto isn’t doing much to lower my nitrates
I tested again and got 73.4 on my small tank
75.0 on my 90 gallon
I’m thinking of switching to a media reactor since I don’t have room for both a refugium and a reactor and the chaeto isn’t helping to reduce the nitrates
Most of the corals all look great though so I’m wondering if my high nitrates are really a problem ‍

The Chaeto should reduce the nitrate. It should be growing like crazy if your tests are correct. If it isn’t then something else is amiss such as low phosphate, iron, or insufficient light intensity for the refugium

Which nitrate checker are you using? What color is the fluid in the vial after running the test? Did you try diluting the tank water 9:1 rodi:tank and run a test? If it still reads 70s ppm then the tester may be broken. Is there a lfs you can take a sample to for confirmation?

 

[Hilltopreef90]

The Chaeto should reduce the nitrate. It should be growing like crazy if your tests are correct. If it isn’t then something else is amiss such as low phosphate, iron, or insufficient light intensity for the refugium

Which nitrate checker are you using? What color is the fluid in the vial after running the test? Did you try diluting the tank water 9:1 rodi:tank and run a test? If it still reads 70s ppm then the tester may be broken. Is there a lfs you can take a sample to for confirmation?

My chaeto is growing well, not crazy but growing steady and a nice green healthy color I’m using the HR ppm nitrate checker, vile fluid color after test is a cranberry color
I’ll try running a 9:1 diluted. Test

 

[Shirak]

My chaeto is growing well, not crazy but growing steady and a nice green healthy color I’m using the HR ppm nitrate checker, vile fluid color after test is a cranberry color
I’ll try running a 9:1 diluted. Test

If it's that color then the tester is probably reading accurately. If it still comes out really dark red/pink after a diluted test then there is most likely an issue with bad reagents.

Have you run any phosphate tests? Sometimes if phosphates bottom out then the chaeto won't pull nitrates out as growth slows. If phosphates are good then it could be trace elements like iron deficiency slowing the refugium down. Or insufficient light intensity/daylength.

 

[Hilltopreef90]

If it's that color then the tester is probably reading accurately. If it still comes out really dark red/pink after a diluted test then there is most likely an issue with bad reagents.

Have you run any phosphate tests? Sometimes if phosphates bottom out then the chaeto won't pull nitrates out as growth slows. If phosphates are good then it could be trace elements like iron deficiency slowing the refugium down. Or insufficient light intensity/daylength.

Thanks
I’ll check phosphates again, they were really low last time
Do high nitrates affect fish at all and how is the best way to increase iron
I’m fairly certain my lights are not the issue but low iron is the likely problem

 

[Hilltopreef90]

Thanks
I’ll check phosphates again, they were really low last time
Do high nitrates affect fish at all and how is the best way to increase iron
I’m fairly certain my lights are not the issue but low iron is the likely problem

I’ve been using chaetogro and it appears that that adds iron, could I increase the amount I’m using to help increase the overall iron in my display tank ?

 

[Shirak]

Chaetogro is good. I would just follow the recommendations on the bottle.
You may need to dose phosphate or maybe feed reef roids as I hear that is high in phosphates if they are very low. What test kit are you using for phosphate?

I am not aware of any issues with fish and nitrates.