Nitrates

[JetStarheart]

How do/can I lower these? Am having a heck of a time. Nothing thus far has worked. Whts everyones go to "scrubber"? All other parameters are n order.. Just got over a bout of ich not sure if it is related to thf nitrates up or not

 

[extremecoral]

To lower your nitrates:

Use RO/DI water, the percentage of water changing is based on the volume of your tank, 5-10% doesn't hurt if not go for 20% faster result. Don't do anything above that level that could shock the fish.
Use De-Nitrate from Seachem the best product I've ever used.
Lastly, ich doesn't increase your nitrate. Too much fish can cause problem.

 

[JetStarheart]

No i didnt think ick caused the spike lol. Wasnt sure if the nitrate caused the ich

 

[JetStarheart]

I have 5 fish in a 75. So not overcrowded

 

[resortez]

To lower your nitrates:

Use RO/DI water, the percentage of water changing is based on the volume of your tank, 5-10% doesn't hurt if not go for 20% faster result. Don't do anything above that level that could shock the fish.
Use De-Nitrate from Seachem the best product I've ever used.
Lastly, ich doesn't increase your nitrate. Too much fish can cause problem.

+1. quality of water is key & seachem de-nitrate works wonders. whats your feeding regimen. any excess build up of detritus on rock or in sand bed?

 

[dadof4]

The Ich won't cause the nitrates to rise but high nitrates can start an Ich outbreak due to stress. Things to look at are what is your water source, tank maintenance schedule, water changes? What are you feeding? High nitrates in = High nitrates out. How high do you consider high? What testing kit are you using and is it good, not expired and have you followed the directions to the letter? I've seen nitrate tests give false high (especially API if shaking and time not followed exactly).

 

[JetStarheart]

I take my water in to the reef store, they test it. We do monthly water changes i have even gone as far as to take the pre water in to test. Feeding I feed as muxh as they will eat in 3 minutes. No more . I consider high being 1 step lower than off the chart of the test lol.

 

[glb]

+1. quality of water is key & seachem de-nitrate works wonders. whats your feeding regimen. any excess build up of detritus on rock or in sand bed?

I've also used Seachem purigen and Dr. P's nitrate reducer.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Large water changes several days in a row using RO/DI water
Denitrator
Algae Turf Scrubber
Fuge stuffed with Macro Algae
Carbon Dosing (aka Vodka Dosing)
Bio Pellets
Purigen

 

[Mr. D]

It's a general rule of thumb to do water changes every week, every other week or once a month. The longer you wait the larger the water change should be accordingly. I prefer weekly 10 percent water changes and I have never had issues of Nitrates or any other problem.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

 

[gtbarsi]

Definitely change your water schedule to weekly but no more than 20% each change.

Cut back your feedings.
If you have any filter pads / filter socks start replacing them every 3 days. (if they are quality ones get an extra set(s) and you can re-use them if you clean them well)
If you have a canister or HOB filter you are going to have to clean them every 3 days. Just like filter pads and Filter socks these things will capture left over food and turn in to nitrate factories.
Use de-nitrate or prime to lower what you still have in the tank. (this really is a short term fix)
Purigen would also help knock it down and keep it down and also help manage a lot of other things for you.

Test, the day after you do something and see what impact your actions are having. Then keep testing to see if your nitrates are on the rise or on the fall. High nitrates is something you have to mange, not something you one shot and done. If the above methods address your issue you can then (Slowly) start adjusting things so it requires less work on your part to maintain. The first I would stop would be the chemical de-nitrate, as it is not really a long term method and will result in large swings.

If you can not manage your nitrates with out the chemical de-nitrate then it is time to look at nitrate export processes such as:
A Large fuge (small hob ones do not have much impact)
Algae Turf Scrubber
Bio pellets or other Carbon dosing method

 

[beaslbob]

How do/can I lower these? Am having a heck of a time. Nothing thus far has worked. Whts everyones go to "scrubber"? All other parameters are n order.. Just got over a bout of ich not sure if it is related to thf nitrates up or not

add macro algaes (in a refugium is best) or start an algae turf scrubber.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I have a 75g had the nitrate problem started biopellets I always do my water changes every two weeks.


The Lord is good.

 

[JetStarheart]

I have 4 different macros. Flame,chaeto,grapes,and red in tank currently.hmm,never occurred to me that my pads could be the culprit... Will start cleaning those daily. I dont have any nitrites,ammonia,phosphates in the tank currently

 

[resortez]

another question to consider is, how old is your carbon? if its too old, it will be difficult to pull out & bond with organics in the water column.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

I have a 75g had the nitrate problem started biopellets I always do my water changes every two weeks.


The Lord is good.

Sorry bout did not tell you guys my levels
No3 0
Po4 0
Salifert test kits for those two. I use elos for other testing.


The Lord is good.

 

[Keithcorals]

Problem is you need more po4 for the algae to use up the nitrates. I took my nitrates from 20+ to 0 in 10 days by adding phosphate without any side effects. If you want to try it I'll give you more info works fast and doesn't cost much.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Problem is you need more po4 for the algae to use up the nitrates. I took my nitrates from 20+ to 0 in 10 days by adding phosphate without any side effects. If you want to try it I'll give you more info works fast and doesn't cost much.

I would like to know for the future. Never know when I are others may need to try your way. Let me have it lol


The Lord is good.

 

[mcarroll]

I have 5 fish in a 75. So not overcrowded

Which 5?

75 isn't that big...could easily be overcrowded.

Live rock is an excellent denitrator. For you to accumulate nitrates you have to be adding them to the system faster than the bacteria in your rock can metabolise them down to nitrogen gas.

This could be from direct overfeeding where you feed too much per fish. It could be indirect overfeeding where you feed the right amount per fish but have too many fish. It could be an accumulation of detritus within your rocks (and sand most likely) blocking and overwhelming the efficiency of your live rock. It can be inadequate flow. It can also be a combo of these.

Also, could you post a tank shot?

-Matt

 

[Keithcorals]

I will see if I can find the dose I used but I added enough Seachem Flourish Phosphorus to raise my phosphate to 0.05 until my nitrates went to 0. I added it at the end of the day so only the algae in the refugium would benefit from it. I haven't had any more problems with nitrates after this experiment. I had try for months before doing it this way and nothing else worked.