Nitrates

[4tanks]

Feed less, vacuum the sandbed, blow off rockwork, change filter socks more often(if you have them), and Wc's are the most effective way of lowering them.

FWIW, softies like dirtier(high nitrates) water. Maybe not quite as high as you have them, but still higher then we like to keep LPS and SPS.

I only feed Minimum and do all the other stuff I have 3 fw tanks for years only just gone marine and I'm used to keeping low nitrates so it scared me a bit but now I know its OK to be bit higher In the salty stuff thanks again everyone so helpful on here

 

[ReefBud508]

Hanan does not make a nitrate kit for saltwater.

Low Range Nitrite Colorimeter – Checker® HC HI707

The HI707 Checker®HC (Handheld Colorimeter) provides a simple, accurate and cost effective way to measure nitrite.

www.hannainst.com

i don't have one myself but i was sure they did it low range but that all you need right?

 

[SMSREEF]

Here is the test what do you guys think is the result

I have the nitrate pro kit and I think that one looks easier if you have higher nitrates.
even on the pro you will be trying to tell difference between pink hues. Which is pretty hard no matter what test you use.
This is the high range

 

[4tanks]

I have the nitrate pro kit and I think that one looks easier if you have higher nitrates.
even on the pro you will be trying to tell difference between pink hues. Which is pretty hard no matter what test you use.
This is the high range

Thanks I will have a look around maybe you tube see if its easier to read not sure I've found any that are really that clear

 

[4tanks]

I have the nitrate pro kit and I think that one looks easier if you have higher nitrates.
even on the pro you will be trying to tell difference between pink hues. Which is pretty hard no matter what test you use.
This is the high range

Wow just been on you tube that test is much better than the test I have looks like next purchase thanks

 

[ReefBud508]

I have the nitrate pro kit and I think that one looks easier if you have higher nitrates.
even on the pro you will be trying to tell difference between pink hues. Which is pretty hard no matter what test you use.
This is the high range

looks to me right about 15ppm 20ppm

 

[4tanks]

looks to me right about 15ppm 20ppm

Just as another thought I want to add soft corals should I try to bring the nitrate down or will the corals themselves help to do that as I have read they do use up nitrate

 

[jordan10]

why don't you look into buying hanna test kit they are digital no colors to read so theres no guess work?

Does Hanna make a nitrate test kit?

 

[4tanks]

Does Hanna make a nitrate test kit?

I think somebody said earlier that they don't or at least not for salt water

 

[jordan10]

I think somebody said earlier that they don't or at least not for salt water

That's what I thought just wanted check. Cuz I got most the Hanna checks because I hate trying to match colors so been trying find a better nitrate test kit

 

[4tanks]

That's what I thought just wanted check. Cuz I got most the Hanna checks because I hate trying to match colors so been trying find a better nitrate test kit

Yes it's the only one I struggle with being coloured blind doesn't help in the slightest

 

[4tanks]

That's what I thought just wanted check. Cuz I got most the Hanna checks because I hate trying to match colors so been trying find a better nitrate test kit

This is the tank it's just come through the ugly phase and I'm desperate to add some soft coral hence the nitrate issue so I wondered should I try to get them down a bit or will the coral help them come down by using the nutrients

 

[4tanks]

What do you think would be a nice flowing first coral

 

[jordan10]

This is the tank it's just come through the ugly phase and I'm desperate to add some soft coral hence the nitrate issue so I wondered should I try to get them down a bit or will the coral help them come down by using the nutrients

Ummm you said they where around .30? Mine stay round that I been trying lower then slowly with little water changes. I think u be ok adding few

 

[jordan10]

What do you think would be a nice flowing first coral

Probably some frogspawn; hammer, mushrooms, gsp if u like that

 

[4tanks]

Probably some frogspawn; hammer, mushrooms, gsp if u like that

Quite like frogspawn I like torches as well I like the way they move

 

[jordan10]

Quite like frogspawn I like torches as well I like the way they move

Torches are my favorite to but they are little more sensitive then the other epithelia or how ever u spell it.

Few my torches

 

[4tanks]

Torches are my favorite to but they are little more sensitive then the other epithelia or how ever u spell it.

Few my torches

They are cool its amazing how much a few corals can transform a tank

 

[ReefBud508]

Just as another thought I want to add soft corals should I try to bring the nitrate down or will the corals themselves help to do that as I have read they do use up nitrate

coral do use up nitrate in the long run but very few won't make that enough of a dent in dropping the ppm would be the case in a larger amount of growing corals but 15 to 20 is high by most peoples standards my nitrates are always from 5 to 10 will no ill effects on corals fish only can deal with higher amounts

 

[4tanks]

coral do use up nitrate in the long run but very few won't make that enough of a dent in dropping the ppm would be the case in a larger amount of growing corals but 15 to 20 is high by most peoples standards my nitrates are always from 5 to 10 will no ill effects on corals fish only can deal with higher amounts

Thanks will get it dropped anyway