Nitrate issue

[JazzChing]

Few days ago, I realised that my yellow wrasse gone missing but I couldn’t find the death body. Then I tested my water with 180 for nitrates. So I did a 50% water change and it dropped till 40. Just wandering am I doing right , or it’s too much changes for my reef tank? And should I continue to have water change to reduce more nitrates ?

 

[CoralB]

Water changes is a good way to bring down nitrates also adding a product like microbactor 7 can help as well . I don’t think bringing the nitrates down fast is as harmful as 180 ppm nitrate value . You should be ok . Keep watching to make sure they don’t go higher . Between 10 - 20 ppm is a good place to be depending on what coral you have.

 

[bushdoc]

Drop from 180 to 40 with 50% water change is doubtful, so one of the results is inaccurate, most probably.
Many corals can thrive in higher nitrates, but I doubt they would like 180ppm. Most of tests have certain range and your initial test was probably above range. What method/test brand did you use to test for Nitrates?
If everythink looks OK, I would not do 50% water change, I would also concentrate on root cause of your high nitrates.

 

[blaxsun]

Most test kits don't go above 100ppm, so I'm highly suspect of the test results as well.

 

[PeterEde]

Nitrate is directly proportional to amount of water and change. If you change 50% your drop will be only 50%
Your initial testing may haveen wrong or you postwater change is wrong.