Nitrates

[dawhits]

Hi,
I just bought a new test kit and when I was testing got 10ppm for nitrates. I have a 55g tank that has been cycling for 2 months and was wondering if this is good? Also is this mature enough for any new fish? or should I wait?. btw my salinity is .022 is this ok?
-Erik

 

[steelhealr]

This is how I look at it:

"0" A trophy, more people have it online than in reality
0-5 EXCELLENT
5-10 Doing really well
10-15 Caution, need some water changes and look for a source
15-20 Corals starting closing, diatoms increase
>20 A OOO GAH.....

Just a guide...this isn't written anywhere and some livestock maybe extremely more sensitive to nitrates than above.

Gotta know what the other params are to recommend a go ahead fish. Probably OK

1.022 is OK but, I'd bring it up a bit to 1.024. I keep mine at 1.026 for my corals. JMO. No one will agree at the perfect tank s.g. SH

 

[dawhits]

Hi,
This is were it gets interesting because when I went to the lfs she said her fish were all kept at .020 amd said that I was kinda high. and this wasn't the ordinary petco or petsmart. This lady knew what she was doing because I have bought over 50 fish from her probably (salt and fresh) and they have never died within a year of purchase.

 

[dawhits]

Hi again,
I thought I would add all my test results
ammonia-0
Nitrites-0
Ph-7.8
I reread my salinity and its up to .023
nitrates-8ppm
Please comment on if theres anything to change, I know my ph should go up a bit and will buy some of the stuff to increase it next time I go to the lfs.
-Erik

 

[superman]

When are you testing your PH? Ph should not drop below 8.0 at night, and should peak at about 8.2-8.4 during the day. The lady at the pet store is unfortunately wrong, your salinity is not high, it is actually on the low end. I keep mine at 1.026, be careful about the advice you are getting from the lady at the pet store, she seems to have some of her saltwater basics mixed up.

 

[Opcn]

10 is okay on nitrates, if you put some macro algea in there it will help clear em up for you. 1.022 is okay as far as SG goes. shop keepers tend to keep there SG's low because ti helo fend off parasites in the high stress situation and they don't like to buy all the salt required. However the sea is 1.025 so thats what I aim for.