Nitrates

[jayphr99]

i have had my 55 gal tank now for about 6 months. i have a few fish and few corals. 30 kg live rock. ammonia 0 nitrite 0 phosphates 0.03. calcium 420. mag 1300. kh 11. ph 8.0. sg 1.025. my problem over last 2/4 weeks is nitrates they were about 40 but now they have crept up yo 100 and i dont know why. a star fish was dying so i got out quick ut apart from that i stuffed and ideas and how can i kepp these down. i do water change every two weeks about 50 ltrs

 

[Aquascaper]

Is your Live Rock fully cured? How does it smell?

 

[jayphr99]

Is your Live Rock fully cured? How does it smell?

yes it lr cured. it seems ok.

 

[Aquascaper]

May seem obvious but are you using RO water for your water changes or tapwater? Either way have you tested the water you're putting into the tank during a water change?

 

[steelhealr]

I dying star will do it....disintegrates quickly and releases enough nasty stuff to nuke a tank. SH

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

There are different types of caleurpa and other types of macro algae that use nitrates and phosphates as a main food source. They are definitely a good thing to have in a sump.