Nitrate high
- Thread starter Panathas
- Start date
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Water changes, ATS, reduction in feedings if appropriate.
Perhaps you can tells us more about your tank. For example how large, skimmer, fish types? Is there unwanted algae? Post the nitrate value please.
Perhaps you can tells us more about your tank. For example how large, skimmer, fish types? Is there unwanted algae? Post the nitrate value please.
mcarroll
10K Club member
High nitrates is a sign that something is wrong.....your live rock should be denitrifying NO3 to N2 all day/all night.
Is your tank PO4 starved? (i.e. zero or near-zero on a PO4 test)
Also, is your tank overstocked and/or overfed by chance?
Is your tank PO4 starved? (i.e. zero or near-zero on a PO4 test)
Also, is your tank overstocked and/or overfed by chance?
slipknotgrrl83
Well-Known Member
How high do you mean? It depends on several factors. I have been fighting high nitrates in my tank (30ppm) but no visible issues. Large water changes and cut back on feeding. Mine are down from 60ish a few months back. Good luck 
slipknotgrrl83
Well-Known Member
Yes that's high. I would do frequent large water changes for sure. Calling in someone who helped me @saltyfilmfolks
slipknotgrrl83
Well-Known Member
More info would help us help you
Mele__Reef
Active Member
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Are you using RO/Di water? How big is your tank?
beaslbob
2500 Club Member
My nitrates are 160. Am I bad?
30 is not really high
To original poster: When someone with a tank that has been running over 40 years you should listen to this.
High nitrates can be actually a good thing as it could mean that the algae is consuming ammonia instead of nitrates. Once bacteria catch up with the ammonia then nitrates drop. But if this is the case it actually is a very good thing as the algae is preventing a possible tank crash and stabilizing tank operation.
That said nitrates can be detrimental to corals as they can lose their colors feeding off the nitrates. the best way of reducing nitrates is increase nitrate consumers like algae. The algae will consume ammonia first then nitrates, plus phosphates, plus carbon dioxide and return fish and coral food and oxygen.
still that rant is just my .02
I started mine in February of 2017 and cycled all the way to April.Got fish and I have 0 ammonia 0 nitrites 5 to 10 ppm nitrates. I'm also looking for answers all I think I can do is start a refugium with some chaetomorpha algea. If stumble upon anything else I'll keep you in mind.
