Nitrate

[Will1610]

Hi all!

I have posted on here in regards to my high nitrate with little success - keen to see if someone can help me?

My nitrates are over 40 - I think nearer 80.. nothing seems to be dying, but nothing seems to be growing.

I do LOTS of water changes, I run an Algae reactor with Cheato as seen in the picture attached, I use Nitrate remover liquid once a week, run a skimmer on contant.... my sand and live rock are immaculate. I feed the fish just one cube of brine/ marine mix a day and use reefroids once a week.

Can anyone help?????? As far as I know I am doing everything right!

 

[BeejReef]

How old is your sandbed? Any issues with your water supply?

 

[Bryce M.]

I'm thinking something has happened with your water or your sand crashed, that's normal but not good

 

[Will1610]

What do you mean by sand crashed?

I have a very thin layer of sand - I syphon it every week at least once.

It was live sand from the LFS and I put this in abotu 8 months ago

 

[Bryce M.]

Hm, should be fine, Sometimes the sand gets too old and can't hold any more bacteria and so everything goes out of line, but yours seems fine

 

[Will1610]

Im going mad!!!
Nothings dying, but nothing is growing (other than bubble coral and duncans)...
I have bad OCD so even though nothing terrible is happening to the inhabitants of the tank - the fact its not right is stressing me out!

 

[Bryce M.]

Honestly, hate to tell you but your source might be contaminated, what water do you use? RO/DI, well, city, ocean water?

 

[Will1610]

I pick it straight up form the LFS - I have tested it a few times (because I cant think of anything else thats causing this issue) and it has been fine!

I use their ready mixed salt mix and top up with RO

 

[BeejReef]

have you confirmed your nitrate reading with a second test kit... either at LFS or a diff brand?

 

[MaiReef]

Will1610 you have two + threads of this. Try to consolidate imo to get the best response.

 

[Will1610]

Checked the lfs water again today- all fine!!!
Tried a number of kits..

 

[ajhudson15]

can you send the source water of for a icp test just to verify nothing if out of whack

 

[clm65]

I pick it straight up form the LFS - I have tested it a few times (because I cant think of anything else thats causing this issue) and it has been fine!

I use their ready mixed salt mix and top up with RO

You said you tested the water from the LFS...but what about your RO top-off water?

 

[Vahanyos]

Is your Cheato growing? Are you skimming wet or dry? Are you getting heavy skimmate?

 

[Will1610]

You said you tested the water from the LFS...but what about your RO top-off water?

That’s from the lfs too- tested thst and it’s fine

 

[Will1610]

Is your Cheato growing? Are you skimming wet or dry? Are you getting heavy skimmate?

Cheats growing fine, skimming wet!

 

[Vahanyos]

Fish don’t need to eat every day... at least they don’t have to be fed everyday. Try feeding every other day and see if your nitrates start going down. I was able to lower mine by cutting my feeding in half

 

[IslandLifeReef]

What are your phosphate levels? If phosphates are very low, the plants and bacteria that consume the nitrates won't do their job very effectively.

 

[Nokiaec11]

With such a beautiful established tank you seem to waste a lot money on water not having your own RO/DI setup...your problem could be in yourwater containers, or something in your sump...

 

[McFly]

I would start vodka or vinegar dosing. Ramp it up slowly and watch your nitrates drop.