High Nitrates, Need Advice
- Thread starter xbethx
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Seachem, Red Sea and Elos are some of the best test kits, IMHO. I've only owned two of those brands. Elos is a little out of my reach.
If you check your nitrates before and after a water change and they are exactly the same, more than likely your test kits are bad.
If you check your nitrates before and after a water change and they are exactly the same, more than likely your test kits are bad.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by beffers http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522852
The exp. is may 2015 and i opened the kit in march. I dunno i guess ill try a new kit whats a good brand to go with?
Seachem comes with a regent to double check the results. Have you tried the LFS? It's expensive to have to purchase test kits one after the other.
What size tank do you have, last water change, type of water, RO or tap? Tell us about your system and all equipment.
Originally Posted by beffers http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522852
The exp. is may 2015 and i opened the kit in march. I dunno i guess ill try a new kit whats a good brand to go with?
Seachem comes with a regent to double check the results. Have you tried the LFS? It's expensive to have to purchase test kits one after the other.
What size tank do you have, last water change, type of water, RO or tap? Tell us about your system and all equipment.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
One of the things to keep in mind here (if not already addresses) is that some test kits are calibrated for the entire nitrate ion while others are calibrated for just the nitrogen part of the nitrate ion (called nitrate-nitrogen). And the conversion factor is 4 and some change. So one test kit can read 1/4 or less of the api test kit yet the concentration if nitrates is exactly the same.
So you have to always check for what the kit is calibrated for so you are comparing the same thing.
my .02
So you have to always check for what the kit is calibrated for so you are comparing the same thing.
my .02
tthemadd1
Active Member
I don't agree that before and after a water would significantly affect a nitrate reading. I think a defined percentage of water like 25% would affect readings but most of us do a 5/10% change and that would not change a reading much. This is a large tank so that would not show a change in the readings.
Bubble algae is a monster to kick. I've had a red bubble algae issue for some time after picking up some rock last year. Pull the rocks out and do hydrogen peroxide works if your willing to pull all the rocks out and do the process. It does work well but it is a huge undertaking. It will kill off some of the good but in the end you will have a lot less bubble algae. It is almost a complete redo of your tank. When you pick up new rock in the future do this process to keep from reintroducing new algae.
You will have to maintain a very healthy water system during and after the bath because you can't hit every surface nor can you get the algae off the sand or glass or pumps or hoses etc etc.
Get your nitrates down as low as possible, run that skimmer, and use RO WATER from your own home or a location you trust.
At the end of the day it may not be pretty like coraline but oceans produce all the issues we deal with as part of a cycle. Whether it is Cyanobacteria, coraline, or algae. The purpose remains the same to balance the system into what functions.
Good luck.
Bubble algae is a monster to kick. I've had a red bubble algae issue for some time after picking up some rock last year. Pull the rocks out and do hydrogen peroxide works if your willing to pull all the rocks out and do the process. It does work well but it is a huge undertaking. It will kill off some of the good but in the end you will have a lot less bubble algae. It is almost a complete redo of your tank. When you pick up new rock in the future do this process to keep from reintroducing new algae.
You will have to maintain a very healthy water system during and after the bath because you can't hit every surface nor can you get the algae off the sand or glass or pumps or hoses etc etc.
Get your nitrates down as low as possible, run that skimmer, and use RO WATER from your own home or a location you trust.
At the end of the day it may not be pretty like coraline but oceans produce all the issues we deal with as part of a cycle. Whether it is Cyanobacteria, coraline, or algae. The purpose remains the same to balance the system into what functions.
Good luck.
btldreef
Moderator
Just an FYI, Salifert AND API nitrate test kits are both known to give false readings. Salifert has a great line of test kits, but the nitrate kit really misses the bar.
SeaChem is the only one I've seen to consistently give accurate readings.
I'm going to be honest, I only skimmed through this to see what was being said about test kits.
If your corals are showing problems, then you need to look into other things. But I highly recommend getting the SeaChem kit. It's only about $10-15 most places.
SeaChem is the only one I've seen to consistently give accurate readings.
I'm going to be honest, I only skimmed through this to see what was being said about test kits.
If your corals are showing problems, then you need to look into other things. But I highly recommend getting the SeaChem kit. It's only about $10-15 most places.
beffers
Member
Seachem comes with a regent to double check the results. Have you tried the LFS? It's expensive to have to purchase test kits one after the other.
What size tank do you have, last water change, type of water, RO or tap? Tell us about your system and all equipment.
Tank is 125gallon with 40gallon sump. Reef octupus 150 skimmer, phosban in reactor, chaeto in fuge
Using all rodi water
Last water change was about 20% 3 days ago.
Nitrates have been reading exactly the same before and after water changes.
Also read something on another forum that said a little amount of nitrite can confuse a nitrate kit so just tested that along with ammonia while i was at it and got 0 nitrite but about .25 on ammonia, those are api kits that i know to be over a year old tho..
I think i just need to try some new test kits
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by beffers http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522875
Tank is 125gallon with 40gallon sump. Reef octupus 150 skimmer, phosban in reactor, chaeto in fuge
Using all rodi water
Last water change was about 20% 3 days ago.
Nitrates have been reading exactly the same before and after water changes.
Also read something on another forum that said a little amount of nitrite can confuse a nitrate kit so just tested that along with ammonia while i was at it and got 0 nitrite but about .25 on ammonia, those are api kits that i know to be over a year old tho..
I think i just need to try some new test kits
I must agree, before and after a WC, and have the same reading....That can't be right.
Originally Posted by beffers http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522875
Tank is 125gallon with 40gallon sump. Reef octupus 150 skimmer, phosban in reactor, chaeto in fuge
Using all rodi water
Last water change was about 20% 3 days ago.
Nitrates have been reading exactly the same before and after water changes.
Also read something on another forum that said a little amount of nitrite can confuse a nitrate kit so just tested that along with ammonia while i was at it and got 0 nitrite but about .25 on ammonia, those are api kits that i know to be over a year old tho..
I think i just need to try some new test kits
I must agree, before and after a WC, and have the same reading....That can't be right.
vdtank
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by beffers http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522879
Just ordered new seachem test kits. Will update once they arrive
Great....It look like I'll be following your foot step as well ....Cant wait for the update.
Originally Posted by beffers http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522879
Just ordered new seachem test kits. Will update once they arrive
Great....It look like I'll be following your foot step as well ....Cant wait for the update.
S
siptang
Guest
keeping my eye on this thread,
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522876
I must agree, before and after a WC, and have the same reading....That can't be right.
FWIW perhaps within the sensitivity of the test kits it would test the same. for instance nitrates may say go from 90ppm to 80ppm but with the api test kit you couldn't tell the difference.
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/395584/high-nitrates-need-advice/20#post_3522876
I must agree, before and after a WC, and have the same reading....That can't be right.
FWIW perhaps within the sensitivity of the test kits it would test the same. for instance nitrates may say go from 90ppm to 80ppm but with the api test kit you couldn't tell the difference.
xbethx
New Member
Just got my new Seachem test kits..
Kinda confused on the readings. From the looks of it my ammonia is about a 1, nitrite .5 and nitrate still off the chart with this test as well.
But then i tested the reference and it didnt look like what it was supposed to be on the color chart either.
The ammonia reference was supposed to test 1 and be a bluish color, mine was more of a purple.
The nitrate reference was supposed to test 10 mine looked more like 5
Heres a pic
Nitrate at the top (reference left, my tank right)
Ammonia at the bottom (reference left, tank right)
the ammonia sensor was really more purple then that in person
What do u guys think
Would like to get feedback from others that have used this kit, is it possible thats its a bad kit?
Kinda confused on the readings. From the looks of it my ammonia is about a 1, nitrite .5 and nitrate still off the chart with this test as well.
But then i tested the reference and it didnt look like what it was supposed to be on the color chart either.
The ammonia reference was supposed to test 1 and be a bluish color, mine was more of a purple.
The nitrate reference was supposed to test 10 mine looked more like 5
Heres a pic
Nitrate at the top (reference left, my tank right)
Ammonia at the bottom (reference left, tank right)
the ammonia sensor was really more purple then that in person
What do u guys think
Would like to get feedback from others that have used this kit, is it possible thats its a bad kit?
beffers
Member
Retested again today. Its possible i could have been using too much water/reference solution?
Ammonia reference turned out ok today and the nitrate reference still looked a little off but was closer.
So that being said my tests are:
Ammonia- .15
Nitrite- .5
Nitrate- 20
(I diluted tank water with distilled water for nitrate like it says to do if the reading is off the chart, this made it easier to read since the colors for 20 on up are so close)
So i guess im gonna go with this.
Still not sure what to think since my tests have been so all over the place with different kits
Ammonia reference turned out ok today and the nitrate reference still looked a little off but was closer.
So that being said my tests are:
Ammonia- .15
Nitrite- .5
Nitrate- 20
(I diluted tank water with distilled water for nitrate like it says to do if the reading is off the chart, this made it easier to read since the colors for 20 on up are so close)
So i guess im gonna go with this.
Still not sure what to think since my tests have been so all over the place with different kits
btldreef
Moderator
I think the vodka dosing is throwing off your readings.
What fish, and how many? Have you continued vodka dosing? I recommend stopping, it could cause your tests to read wrong.
When was your last water change?
When you do water changes, do you blow off your rocks?
Do you run carbon?
What are you feeding? How much? How often?
How's your sump? Some people just overlook cleaning the sump and it can become a nitrate factory. Are there any sponge/foam blocks in it? If so, have they been rinsed out? If so, How do you rinse them?
How deep is your sand bed?
Can you post a picture of your tank?
What fish, and how many? Have you continued vodka dosing? I recommend stopping, it could cause your tests to read wrong.
When was your last water change?
When you do water changes, do you blow off your rocks?
Do you run carbon?
What are you feeding? How much? How often?
How's your sump? Some people just overlook cleaning the sump and it can become a nitrate factory. Are there any sponge/foam blocks in it? If so, have they been rinsed out? If so, How do you rinse them?
How deep is your sand bed?
Can you post a picture of your tank?
beffers
Member
I have still been codka dosing i didnt know thatcould throw off readings. Ive been doing that for a little over a month now and am at 3.6 ml a day.
Fish are - yellow tang, kole tang, 2 clowns, yellow watchman and purple dottyback
Last water change was about a week and a half ago and ive only recently started blowing the rocks with the past couple water changes
No carbon. Just gfo in reactor
Sump is clean i just replaced the tank that is being used for the sump a couple months ago to make room for the skimmer so it just had a complete overhaul. No sponges or foam just 2 fikter socks that are changed out weekly.
Feeding oceans nutrition i think is the brand? frozen cubes, 1 cube a day
2in ish sandbed
Im at work now but ill try to post a pic when i get home tonight
Fish are - yellow tang, kole tang, 2 clowns, yellow watchman and purple dottyback
Last water change was about a week and a half ago and ive only recently started blowing the rocks with the past couple water changes
No carbon. Just gfo in reactor
Sump is clean i just replaced the tank that is being used for the sump a couple months ago to make room for the skimmer so it just had a complete overhaul. No sponges or foam just 2 fikter socks that are changed out weekly.
Feeding oceans nutrition i think is the brand? frozen cubes, 1 cube a day
2in ish sandbed
Im at work now but ill try to post a pic when i get home tonight