Ugh....High Alk/Nitrate

[bump3rb33tl3]

Hello,

Im at a loss...I have literally done everything (with in reason) that everyone has suggested and nothing is working!

I have a 92gl corner bowfront
1.75" sandbed
130lbs live rock
2 power heads with Koralia 4 wavemaker
Maxspect Razor R420R led with 120 degree pucks
Sump
Jeabo rtn pump
Skimmer (Cant remember name, but its a beast)
Heater

My temp is a little high (80), but Im in TX.
SG is 1.025
Nitrite is .05
Ammonia is 0
Calcium is 380
Ph is 8.2
Alk is 12.7!!!
Nitrate is over 50ppm!!!

My last two readings are my problem. I have done everything to bring them down for over 6 months and they wont budge. I changed from a canister to a sump (I have media pure bio balls, 20lbs LR, and carbon pad in the sump). I have done countless water changes (large and small) changed salt mix (currently using fitz), changed my substrate to include more crushed coral from a fine sand. Added LR, removed LR, tried vodka and hydrogen peroxide. Added to my cuc, reduced my bioload by removing fish...really anything anyone suggested and I have nothing but high readings, melted nems, and a history of dead lps, shrinking zoas, and faded colors to show for it.

Please. If someone knows a miracle fix can you please share it!! Here is my fts

 

[Cory]

First you must determine that your alkalinty test kit is functioning properly (accurate)

1.135g of baking soda in 1 gallon pure water = 10 dkh. Do this and let us know what your kit reads. Its possible it wont work for hanna checker. Get a pharmacist to weigh out 1.135g of baking soda for you.

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

Ok. May take a day...

I will say that I have used 2 different red sea kits as well as a hanna checker over the past several months and they all came back high....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I personally doubt either the alk or the nitrate is the problem that is killing organisms unless it is way higher than 50 ppm.

The alk is likely matching your salt mix and I would not worry about it.

How long did you dose vodka? If you dose enough long enough it will reduce nitrate.

I don't know why hydrogen peroxide would be used, unless you were treating for a pest. Don't add it without a clear reason.

There are many ways to reduce nutrients, and they all work if done properly for long enough and in appropriate quantity. I used all of growing macroalgae, dosing vinegar, skimming, and large rock filled refugia.

This has more:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/nitrate-in-the-reef-aquarium

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

I personally doubt either the alk or the nitrate is the problem that is killing organisms unless it is way higher than 50 ppm.

The alk is likely matching your salt mix and I would not worry about it.

How long did you dose vodka? If you dose enough long enough it will reduce nitrate.

I don't know why hydrogen peroxide would be used, unless you were treating for a pest. Don't add it without a clear reason.

There are many ways to reduce nutrients, and they all work if done properly for long enough and in appropriate quantity. I used all of growing macroalgae, dosing vinegar, skimming, and large rock filled refugia.

This has more:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/nitrate-in-the-reef-aquarium

It was about 4 months ago that I tried vodka. I dont recall how much I dosed, but I found the measurement formula on a thread on r2r. I dosed for a couple of weeks until I saw nitrate coming down. When I thought it was safe to stop, it ended up creeping right back up over a week. Right now the alk in that tank is at 12.5dkh and nitrates, even a diluted sample using the red sea kit instructions are over 50ppm.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It was about 4 months ago that I tried vodka. I dont recall how much I dosed, but I found the measurement formula on a thread on r2r. I dosed for a couple of weeks until I saw nitrate coming down. When I thought it was safe to stop, it ended up creeping right back up over a week. Right now the alk in that tank is at 12.5dkh and nitrates, even a diluted sample using the red sea kit instructions are over 50ppm.

That's what I expect would happen when you stop.

As I mentioned 12.5 dKH is not a problem worth treating unless it is an ultra low nutrient tank (which yours obviously is not).

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

That's what I expect would happen when you stop.

As I mentioned 12.5 dKH is not a problem worth treating unless it is an ultra low nutrient tank (which yours obviously is not).

Ok. Then how can I resolve my other problem reading? My nitrates are also extremely high.....

 

[Drauka99]

As RHF said, your ALK is likely matching your salt mix. Mix up a batch and test it when you do your next water change. I am assuming you are not adding any supplaments to the tank, kalk, or 2 part. If you want a lower alk reading then you will likely be served best by changing salt mixes.

As for nitrates, why stop dosing vodka if you were seeing results? Go back to carbon dosing, I personally use vinegar, and once you hit the nitrate number you are looking to maintain then find the dose that maintains that number.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok. Then how can I resolve my other problem reading? My nitrates are also extremely high.....

As I mentioned above, and discuss i n detail in my linked article, there are many methods to pick to reduce nitrate, but in all cases you will need to stick with it, maybe forever since the tank constantly generates nitrate.