nitrates dark purple on red sea test kit!!

[MACHO]

yeah like the title says tested nitrates and it's above 80 i believe i've been doing water changes constantly and idk what else to do everytime i do the water change it lowers it then the next day it's back to dark purple and i just keep fighting this battle and it's getting frustrating please help the coral and fish dont seem to show any sign that its super high nitrates in the tank ive tested it with different test kits and its different with everything i test with but everything is relatively high please help

 

[Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef]

yeah like the title says tested nitrates and it's above 80 i believe i've been doing water changes constantly and idk what else to do everytime i do the water change it lowers it then the next day it's back to dark purple and i just keep fighting this battle and it's getting frustrating please help the coral and fish dont seem to show any sign that its super high nitrates in the tank ive tested it with different test kits and its different with everything i test with but everything is relatively high please help

I think you need to buy a different test kit. Salifert or anything not API.

 

[Malifry97]

Sounds like the tank is overstocked. What is the stocking and tank size? Maybe the test kit is faulty. Maybe test with another kit.

 

[Malifry97]

I think you need to buy a different test kit. Salifert or anything not API.

He said red sea not API

 

[SMSREEF]

Do you have pic of tank to see how thick sand bed is and what kind of rock you have?

 

[Redfoxtang]

What size tank? Whats tank filtration? I wouldn’t freak out just yet. Need a little more info for others to help.

 

[Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef]

He said red sea not API

I know! I can read bro. I'm saying buy another test kit, just don't buy an API. I have heard RedSea Nitrate is not so good. I use Salifert and have great results. API is trash.

 

[35ppt]

I know! I can read bro. I'm saying buy another test kit, just don't buy an API. I have heard RedSea Nitrate is not so good. I use Salifert and have great results. API is trash.

He said in the OP that he's tested with multiple test kits...

 

[MACHO]

I think you need to buy a different test kit. Salifert or anything not API.

i tested it at my local fish store they tested with a stick and the saltwater master kit

 

[MACHO]

What size tank? Whats tank filtration? I wouldn’t freak out just yet. Need a little more info for others to help.

200 gallon fish tank i have a sump with a media reactor running biogen i have phosphate pads and a skimmer as well as filter socks in there im having sea lettuce delivered tomorrow there is around 12 fish in there all established

 

[MACHO]

Do you have pic of tank to see how thick sand bed is and what kind of rock you have?

live rock in there i have a relatively thick sand bed in there around an inch and a half maybe less

 

[MACHO]

Sounds like the tank is overstocked. What is the stocking and tank size? Maybe the test kit is faulty. Maybe test with another kit.

3 tang 5 clownfish a shrimp hermits, and a damsal as well as 3 cardinals all small except the tangs its a 200 gallon tank

 

[Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef]

3 tang 5 clownfish a shrimp hermits, and a damsal as well as 3 cardinals all small except the tangs its a 200 gallon tank

I think that RedSea kit is faulty and the stick test at your LFS doesn't sound good either.

 

[MACHO]

I think that RedSea kit is faulty and the stick test at your LFS doesn't sound good either.

then what should i do

 

[Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef]

then what should i do

I would try testing with another kit or go to another LFS if you have one and test there. You can also do ICP test. Just takes time to get he results.

 

[MACHO]

I would try testing with another kit or go to another LFS if you have one and test there. You can also do ICP test. Just takes time to get he results.

i have had them test it at the lfs its the same

 

[NatD]

Hello.
Can we see a photo of the full tank please?

 

[Malifry97]

Yea thats no overstocked. Im think you may need to vacuum your sand bed as it may be harboring nutrients. What is your maintenance routine?

 

[artieg1]

Maintenance and water changes. You don't want to chase numbers with nitrate especially, but 80+ is getting to the level where people usually see trouble. Try to get all rotting detritus out, change 25% of water, and see if you can get the nitrates to under 80.

 

[Pickwun]

Have you lost a fish lately? It sounds like there's something large and dead in your tank.