Nitrate problem

[thatone08]

Having issues with nitrates. No matter what I do they kind of stay constant.

Using Red Sea test kit. Which is difficult matching the color, or getting a definite number.

ammo-0.1 maybe less anything then 0 changes color
Nitrite-0
Nitrates-10-50 no idea what color is closest to what
SG-1.026
PH 8.2

I do weekly water changes, vacuum the sand bed, had diatoms for a while, but finally getting that under control.
Pineapple sponges are beoming more abundant. Other than that the tank looks clean, fish are happy, cleaner shrimp seems to moly every week or every other week. Corals are growing and looking good.

Am I over reacting and just chasing numbers of where I “should” be at?

 

[T-J]

Honestly, the question is whether you even have a problem. If you can't tell if you have 10 or 50 Nitrates, that's an issue. I suggest getting the new Hanna high level nitrate tester. Once you know for sure what your Nitrates are, then you can decide if it's ok. If it's 10, then no worries. If it's 50, then we need a plan of attack.
Also, make sure you are checking phosphates as well. You need a balance of phosphate and nitrate.

 

[Uncle99]

Having issues with nitrates. No matter what I do they kind of stay constant.

Using Red Sea test kit. Which is difficult matching the color, or getting a definite number.

ammo-0.1 maybe less anything then 0 changes color
Nitrite-0
Nitrates-10-50 no idea what color is closest to what
SG-1.026
PH 8.2

I do weekly water changes, vacuum the sand bed, had diatoms for a while, but finally getting that under control.
Pineapple sponges are beoming more abundant. Other than that the tank looks clean, fish are happy, cleaner shrimp seems to moly every week or every other week. Corals are growing and looking good.

Am I over reacting and just chasing numbers of where I “should” be at?

I too had some trouble with the Red Sea Kit, seemed over complicated and tedious.

Hanna checker for sure if you like numbers, Salifert I’ve had zero trouble with.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree with T-J on depicting accurancy of colors. Things to keep in mind about nitrate . . . . Any filter sources (pads, socks, etc have the ability to store nitrates and release them when clogged. Clean filters regularly and instead of carbon, try a pouch of Chemipure elite which will bring down nitrates and keep them in check
Main causes generally are :

• The aquarium is too young for the livestock within it
• Overstocked. Too many fish
• Not enough Live Rock/Live Sand/Beneficial Bacteria habitat
• Overfeeding
• Little or no water changes
• Small water change volumes
• Too much detritus
• No protein skimmer or protein skimmer is too small

 

[LAA]

If it’s 10 your good if it’s 50 you may need to worry so you could try a different test kit to see what they read.

 

[homer1475]

LOL @ chemipure elite.

You do realize all that stuff is is GAC and GFO? Don't be fooled by the fancy packaging and their claims on what it does.

 

[thatone08]

The last time I took water to the LFS. It is what is below. To be fair the tank was full blow diatom bloom at this time. Currently the tank is looking great. Going to head to the LFS when they open and get another test done today. Ph was pretty low this day.

 

[T-J]

The last time I took water to the LFS. It is what is below. To be fair the tank was full blow diatom bloom at this time. Currently the tank is looking great. Going to head to the LFS when they open and get another test done today. Ph was pretty low this day.

Ugh, the Aquaspin. Not a very accurate test IMO. If you want to be successful, I strongly suggest investing in some of your own, quality test kits. Hanna checkers for Alk, Phosphate and HR Nitrate. Red Sea or similar for Calcium.

 

[thatone08]

I am planning on picking up the Hanna.
What’s leads you to question the accuracy of the Aquaspin, a past experience?

 

[nkyreef]

I agree that the Red Sea test kit is difficult to read. I just recently bought the Hanna HR nitrate checker and it's now my go to. Salifert is a great test kit as well if you don't want to spend the money on the Hanna. 10 - 20 ppm nitrate shouldn't be an issue as long as you have enough coral for uptake.

I've started a refugium a couple of times to deal with high nitrates and it was extremely efficient in removing them.

 

[Spare time]

LOL @ chemipure elite.

You do realize all that stuff is is GAC and GFO? Don't be fooled by the fancy packaging and their claims on what it does.

There is also an ion exchange resin in it

 

[T-J]

I am planning on picking up the Hanna.
What’s leads you to question the accuracy of the Aquaspin, a past experience?

Their own manual. Here's what the accuracy is. As you can see, a lot of +/- 15% and 20%.

 

[thatone08]

Ooooh. Thank you for that information.