Please help... I can't get nitrates down.
- Thread starter Weehawken64
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glb
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You can use Seachem prime to detoxify the nitrates while you track down the source. It won't fix the problem, but it will protect your fish until you figure things out. I have a nano and couldn't believe the junk in the back part when I finally cleaned it out.
Who's RO/DI water are you using? Yours or LFS? Fastest way to lower nitrates is via water changes. Until you can find the source and fix it.
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Weehawken64
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I hvnt been able to find the source. What is algae scrubber? My back seems pretty clean. I dnt have much back there. I get my rodi from a local water store that does nothing but sell rodi water. Mostly for drinking but I use it for the fish tank along with other customers he has. Water from there has been tested multiple times and always checks out ok.
Eienna
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If you're using the API liquid kit (don't even bother with the strips), it doesn't measure between 20 and 40. It may be that you're in between the two numbers, making it look as if you have 20 that won't move. Daily water changes until you get it to where it should be (about 5 max), I think, and see where you're at from there.
Personally I'd test your water source. Especially if it's from a source who specializes in drinking water, which is NOT made for our tanks.
Get a FW nitrate test kit or take it to your LFS.
Even Culligan doesn't recommend their drinking water for SW tanks. I asked them-lol.
Get a FW nitrate test kit or take it to your LFS.
Even Culligan doesn't recommend their drinking water for SW tanks. I asked them-lol.
SeahorseKeeper
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I would add a refugium with chaeto or some other type of macroalgae. It will help to consume the nitrate.
Eienna
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I have to use API liquid kits for everything because that's what I could pay for.
If you're getting close to 40 but aren't quite there you won't see it as 40 but you'll need to change a LOT of water to get to the point where your kit will register the drop. I guess the idea is that if you're at 20, you're already much too high (in SW, anyhow) so you don't really need precise testing above that.
Getting above 20 is unhealthy even for FW fish, which are adapted to having some nitrate in their water. You will definitely want to start water changes even daily to get it down while you figure out the trouble.
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AlexG
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If the water source is not supplying the nitrates the next culprit would be filtration. Do you use any filter sponges? If so remove them as they are nitrate factories. If there are any other media bags in high flow that can trap wastes this will also produce nitrates at a high rate. I would continue water changes to stabilize the nitrate levels.
glb
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I use API and plan to change to Red Sea when I run out. It will be interesting to see how different the readings are. That being said, if your API readings are consistent, that counts for something.
cota472
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I am assuming that since you have the intank media basket, you have removed the bioballs, if not remove them. How are your chambers set up? If I were looking at mine from the back chamber 1 being on the left where the water enters the rear compartments. What do you have in here? the middle and then chamber 3? I have been battling high nitrates as well but mine is caused by moving the tank 50 miles and severely stirring up the sand bed. In mine Chamber 1 is the heater (there is a false floor, be sure this is removed), Chamber 2 has my intank media basket with chemipure elite and purigen and intank fuge basket with chaeto, chamber 3 is my return pump and UV sterilizer. My nitrates are coming down and starting to stay within a reasonable level. When I do a WC I remove all items from the rear and clean out the chambers.
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Weehawken64
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Thanks so much for all the responses as this battle to lower my nitrates continues. I never had my bio balls in there. I removed them day one. I have heater in chamber 1, middle is inTank media basket with purigen and chemipure elite and filter floss. I just again replaced them and always change out my filter floss once a week. I just can't figure it out. Wondering more and more if its my sand bed although I have a nice cuc and some to stir up the sand.
Zero Nitrates
I love chalices
I run into the same issue about month 4 of my tank. I cleaned the top layer of the sand bed by vacuuming it with a siphon. Basically you would be exporting the junk in the sand and leaving the sand in the tank. After I did this my nitrates went to less than 5. I now clean the top layer of my sand once a month. Might work for you too.
Have fun reefing!
Have fun reefing!
