The quest for lowering nitrates.

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

Hey all, So I've been having problems with getting my nitrates down and have been doing 30 gal water changes every week. The tank is a 95 gal. I've tested with 3 different test kits(salfert, API, nyos) nyos shows the lowest of 25 and API shows 160 and salifert shows 50! I'm so confused about which is accurate. ANy ideas and do you guys know how I can lower my nitrates?
Thanks, Alex

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

#reefsquad ?

Flippers4pups · Dec 7, 2018

Alexreefer said:
Hey all, So I've been having problems with getting my nitrates down and have been doing 30 gal water changes every week. The tank is a 95 gal. I've tested with 3 different test kits(salfert, API, nyos) nyos shows the lowest of 25 and API shows 160 and salifert shows 50! I'm so confused about which is accurate. ANy ideas and do you guys know how I can lower my nitrates?
Thanks, Alex

Are the test kits still within expiration dates?

Reefahholic · Dec 7, 2018

Siporax 25 liters. The large hoops. Problem solved.

Flippers4pups · Dec 7, 2018

Reefahholic said:
Siporax 25 liters. The large hoops. Problem solved.

That's one way. Op needs to narrow down his test kits.

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
Are the test kits still within expiration dates?

Yep all bought within 2 months of today. expire in 2021

ihavecrabs · Dec 7, 2018

I'd trust the Salifert. Do you get consistent readings from more than one test on Salifert? How about the others?

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

Reefahholic said:
Siporax 25 liters. The large hoops. Problem solved.

I have marine pure blocks. wouldn't that be the same as siporax?

Flippers4pups · Dec 7, 2018

I'd take the API out of the equation.

Retest the salifert and nyos a couple times and see if they get closer. Just saying, it could have been a error.

There is numerous ways to bring N03 down. Need a good number to work with first.

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

ihavecrabs said:
I'd trust the Salifert. Do you get consistent readings from more than one test on Salifert? How about the others?

Salifert so far has been super consistent. others not so much. Just want to know why its like this and how to fix the nitrates and the stupid test kits

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

Will test the water again with both nyos and salifert. will post the results in a little

saltyhog · Dec 7, 2018

I would come closer to believing the Salifert. Are the kits consistent with themselves....i.e. do you get the same reading every time you test? How does you tank look to you? How are your corals and fish doing?

There are lots of ways to lower nitrates. Carbon dosing (vinegar is my first choice), Algae turf scrubbers, remote deep sand beds, etc. Don't get too aggressive. Undetectable levels of NO3 and PO4 can have consequences worse than when they are elevated.

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

Fish are fine, As corals go all my corals except my Duncan look great. Duncan is starting to come back though.

Flippers4pups · Dec 7, 2018

Bare with me on questions.

How old is your system?

What is all your water pramameters?

What corals do you keep?

How many?

Or just a picture?

Skimming?

Alexreefer · Dec 7, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
Bare with me on questions.

How old is your system?

What is all your water pramameters?

What corals do you keep?

How many?

Or just a picture?

Skimming?

My tank is 6 months old. I keep 8 corals all mostly lps. frogspawn, duncan, montipora etc Skimmer is a skimmz sk181 producing a dark skimmate. Params: no3=40 dkh=13.3 no4=.5 ammonia=0 no2=o ph=8.4

Reefahholic · Dec 8, 2018

Alexreefer said:
I have marine pure blocks. wouldn't that be the same as siporax?

I've had both and my Siporax out performs my Marine Pure. Right now, I have to dose nitrates even without a skimmer.

Reefahholic · Dec 8, 2018

Alexreefer said:
My tank is 6 months old. I keep 8 corals all mostly lps. frogspawn, duncan, montipora etc Skimmer is a skimmz sk181 producing a dark skimmate. Params: no3=40 dkh=13.3 no4=.5 ammonia=0 no2=o ph=8.4

If your tank is only 6 months old, it's still fairly young. Just cut back on feeding, skim wet, and increase your water changes. Or you could also add a Nitrate reactor.

As previously mentioned about...my Siporax out performs my MP. You might wanna give it a shot. If you do, don't rinse with tap or RO water. Rinse with tank water as it will get in those tiny pours and not come out for months! So start it off with established water.

Alexreefer · Dec 8, 2018

Ok will try to find some Siporax. Any other suggestions?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 8, 2018

As folks have mentioned, there are lots of good ways to reduce nitrate and no one best way. Organic carbon dosing and growing macroalgae or turf algae are all good, as are many more.

Nitrate kits often do not agree, so aim for a range since the exact value is not important (IMO). 0.5 to 5 ppm is a but more is a fine range.