Nitrate Level Is Too High

[svirid]

Good day guys,

I recently tested my water and find out that my nitrate rased form 5 to 50,
I did a 20% water change, looks like same, my Seachem test kit shows.

I added to filter Chemi Pure Elite a week ago, now waiting this weekend for some results.
I will do another 20% water change also.

I am going to purchase Salifert test kit to give me more accurate result but I alos found this item

[URL="http/www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CP2151.html"]http/www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CP2151.html[/URL]

it has some bad reviews but most of them good. Does anybody tried it? or is there a better product on the market?

I have also decreased feedings by auto feeder by 50%.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Do you use RO water? if not this may well help.

Wouldnt use that product myself personally.

Best option is regular water changes and chemical filtration (there are lots of products you can add to a filter that remove nitrates).

If you have a sump adding macro algae to it will also help, reduced feedings and a good skimmer will help as well. A deep sand bad or denitrfication units will also work very well.

 

[Don Trinko]

If you can do a larger Water change it will at least temporarily reduce the nitrates. If your nitrates are 50 and you do a 50% water change they should then be 25, at least untill the bacteria produce more nitrates.
Sever points:
1. 50 nitrates is not going to hurt the fish. It can be a problem with invertibrates and reef type stuff.
2. If you do a large Water change make sure the water parameters are similar to the tank water and the temperature is very close. Also add the new water slowly so if there is any difference the change will be slow.
3. I have never had much luck with the nitrate reducing chemicals. They do work but they don't seem to remove the nitrates as fast as the bacteria produce them.
All of this is IMO. Don T.

 

[jeasko]

Test kits is always a controversial topic as just about every manufacturer has had someone have bad results, Salfert does have a very good reputation but I am sure there are a few on here that have had bad experiences with them, but IMO they are pretty good and accurate, atleast the ones I use have been anyway.

However that said more importantly do have you any idea why the nitrate level has gone up?

 

[svirid]

Thank you very much guys for your great help.

I do use RO water, when I tested my fresh salt water test kit shows 0 nitrate.

I do use ChemiPure to remove nitrates.

What about this product ? is it effective?

http/www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~cat...y~FIFMCHNR.html

 

[Crazy fishes]

I used that stuff and it ideally needs to be fluidized otherwise it is pretty useless. Macroalgae is by far the best nitrate remover along with good old water changes. Stick with them and you will be fine

Regards

 

[jeasko]

one i use and always keep handy is seachems purigen as this was recommended to me and has worked in the past have a look at

http/www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Purigen.html

 

[rabbut]

Phosban is the only chemical resin based media that I hear constant good reviews from for both nitrate and phosphate removal. Pollyfilter will also have some effect on it

Do you run a Skimmer? If so, are you dry or wet skimming? When was it last cleaned out? What form-factor do you have (In-sump, HOB, internal e.t.c)?

Is all livestock accounted for?

With Nitrate removal products, you need to look at how they remove them. If it is a media that you pull and sling after a while, that is good, but chemicals that are added and don't come out again without a waterchange just convert that nitrate into another form that the test kit cannot detect... Macroalgea's, as above, can also be used to literally pull the nitrate out.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[svirid]

I used to use Phosban but later change to Rowaphos, with phosban I had phosphate back in 3-4 weeks, Rowa can take it about 2month I did not try more, but phospate was 0 at the time of change. Maybe it can go to 3 month.

Seachem Purigen I heard but I found a little difficult way how to use it, maybe I am wrong but I have to prepare it 1 day before in a closed area? correct me if I am wrong.

My stock is 4 fish for 28 gal, 2 clowns, 1 bi-color Pseudochromis, 1 Flame Hawk.

I am thinking to get more crabs and snails to keep tank clean. I think I have only 2 hermits left and one emerald crab.

I do continue doing water change and decrease food, I am thinking that I overfeed them. Going to get Salifert test kit to get better result.

I do have a hang-on skimmer, Aqua-C Remora

Thank you

 

[ben1987]

there might not be enough flow getting around the tank. Try and move the powerheads or addd another one. Make the rock more open

 

[svirid]

there might not be enough flow getting around the tank. Try and move the powerheads or addd another one. Make the rock more open

hmm... I actually thought about it today too. I do have one Nano Coralia in a closet.

Currently I have one Maxi Jet 1200 and Coralia 1 in my 28 gal.