Nitrates are insanely high! 80-160ppm

VelasCorals · Dec 1, 2012

For the past month or so my nitrates are crazy high and I can't get them down at all. My API test kits reads somewhere around 80-160. It's difficult to see the color difference between those two points on the scale but it's "red". Everything in the tank looks stunning. Corals never looked better, color is amazing and fish are all happy. I used to feed a lot but since I realized my nitrates were so high I scaled back a lot. Now I just feed a pinch of NLS everyday and 2 sheets of nori everyday.

Wouldn't nitrates these high be killing all my corals? I did test pure RO/DI water and the reading was 0 so I know the test kit works.

Tank info:
- 200 gallons
- Tank started 8/7/2011
- 6 tangs
- 1 harlequin
- 10 chromis
- 2 clowns
- royal gramma
- melanarus wrasse

Lilmatty5dimes · Dec 1, 2012

how much are you feeding & how often? have you recently moved the tank or stirred up the sand bed?

spscrazy · Dec 1, 2012

you could have a bad test kit doesn't high nitrates make corals brown out? would use another brand to be sure

VelasCorals · Dec 1, 2012

Lilmatty5dimes said:
how much are you feeding & how often? have you recently moved the tank or stirred up the sand bed?

Just a pinch of nls pellets and 2 sheets of nori a day.

I only siphoned the sand bed when I noticed the problem. The sand bed is very clean now and the nitrates didn't drop.

VelasCorals · Dec 1, 2012

spscrazy said:
you could have a bad test kit doesn't high nitrates make corals brown out? would use another brand to be sure

The test kit is over a year old. However, I did test 0 tds water and it read 0 nitrates. Wouldn't this tell me if the test kit was bad or not?

returnofsid · Dec 1, 2012

I would suggest testing again, with a different test kit, to see if you get the same results. I'd suspect that your test kit is off.

VelasCorals · Dec 1, 2012

Okay I'll get another test kit. Thanks.

VelasCorals · Dec 1, 2012

Just ordered your standard API master test kit on amazon.

SeahorseKeeper · Dec 1, 2012

I have found the API test kits to be very inconsistent and reading high a lot of the time.

always reefin · Dec 1, 2012

I'm currently experiencing the same high readings from an API test kit, I'm not buying the results. I have a different test kit on the way to compare

Lilmatty5dimes · Dec 1, 2012

always reefin said:
I'm currently experiencing the same high readings from an API test kit, I'm not buying the results. I have a different test kit on the way to compare

SeahorseKeeper said:
I have found the API test kits to be very inconsistent and reading high a lot of the time.

i've read that some clubs will actually ask all their members to bring there test kits to test the members tank during a club meeting and compare all the kits. the results were that the api kits are reading the same as all the other expensive ones. grant it they were expired. but some had expired kits and was just fine.

VelasCorals · Dec 1, 2012

Hum should have bought elos then. If my nitrates were that high wouldn't there be a lot of dead corals?

Pappy · Dec 2, 2012

I would def get a second opinion and have someone check. I've never had a problem with API and hear they're just as consistent at the outrageously priced ones. I would suggest a huge wc just to be safe and try testing again after that.

VelasCorals · Dec 3, 2012

What is weird is I did a 50 gallon water change, made sure there was no ditritus in the sump, under the rocks, in the over flow etc, and the numbers didn't change at all. I tested another tank with the same kit and it showed 20ppm. I'm wondering if my nitrates are really this high but just like it for some reason.

I have a lot of corals too. ORA Red Planet, Tyree Tri-Color, Green Slimer, Green Digi just to name a few of the SPS corals and the colors are amazing. Growth is very slow but they really glow. Also, I have duncans, tons of zoas, palys, favias, chalice and acans and they are look amazing. Colors are really poping and they are nice and puffy. SOO WEIRD!

WhoDey · Dec 3, 2012

Got to be something throwing off the test, the SPS would not make it with 200 nitrates.

VelasCorals · Dec 3, 2012

Got my new API Saltwater test kit today and retested.... still 160ppm. Not sure what to make of it. All this cleaning, water changes, etc didn't make a dent in the results.

Maybe once you get past a certain point the corals start to like nitrates

What is also weird is I have added new corals recently and they love the tank. It's not like my old corals are used to it and are living. All the corals and fish are living and happy.

What would you do?

WhoDey · Dec 3, 2012

Is there any additive that you may be using that would 'trick' the test into the high reading?

143gadgets · Dec 3, 2012

Is there someone close who can cross check it with another brand like salifert?

VelasCorals · Dec 4, 2012

WhoDey said:
Is there any additive that you may be using that would 'trick' the test into the high reading?

Not sure. This is everything I add.

1. Carbon (replace once a month)
2. Nori
3. Reef Crystals
4. New Life Spectrum
5. Once a month a jumbo shrimp for the Harlequin Tusk (the shell of the shrimp does go missing. Wondering if that could cause it)
6. Home made fish food from a local club member. I'll check with her to see if she add anything.

143gadgets said:
Is there someone close who can cross check it with another brand like salifert?

I'm going to have to. This is so strange.

JMSKI333 · Dec 4, 2012

This may seem like a weird question, but are you following the directions when testing? Are you taking any short cuts? I usually like to read the directions Right out og the book every once n' awhile to make sure I am doing it right.