How can I get higher nitrates??

fishfreak1242

fishfreak1242

Active Member
Ok so I need to get my nitrates higher. I know that sounds stupid but let me explain. In my 20 gal fuge I have some chaeto that is beginning to die and I think it is because my nitrates are at 0 right now. It is starting to turn white. It has plenty of flow and light. So now I need to get my nitrates up to 5-10ppm. Is there any way that I can do this to save my chaeto?
 
T

tfolke1

Guest
I could ship you a couple gallons of my water, I've got plenty.

Couldn't you just intentionally overfeed and cause excess nitrates? Or add to our Bioload? It might be easier to let your Cheato go and get some new stuff later than to mess with the chemistry of a well balanced tank.
I'm going to get to 50 posts somehow!
 
salty blues

salty blues

Active Member
I think the point is to have low nitrates, not high nitrtaes just so you can grow chaeto. I was having the same issue in my tank, low nitrates and chaeto dying, so I just stopped using chaeto.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I don't recommend wanting higher nitrates. Cheato doesn't currently succeed in the sump of our 75 and I'm not too worried about it.
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
My nitrates are consistently at "zero" and the cheato in my sump is doing OK. Not growing out of control or anything, but doing OK. What kind of lighting do you have on the cheato and for how long? When I had in my tank (in tank fuge) under 6 x 54W T-5's it was really growing. Now, I have just 1 50W plant light trained on that part of the sump for 12 hours a day.
 
saltwatercraz

saltwatercraz

Member
If your cheato is bleaching out than add some iron. It will take care of it. Not sure if this is what you are having go on, but I didnt see any one say any thing abought it so I thought I would.
"I bleach my cheato, and have to add Iron so it will stay green. I like having it in my tank even though the tank reads 0 nitrates. Its great for pods and if theres any extra co2 in the water from my ca. reactor."
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
You might also be giving it too much light if the color is turning white. When you say white, do you mean white white or like burnt grass or straw?
 
fishfreak1242

fishfreak1242

Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2644216
You might also be giving it too much light if the color is turning white. When you say white, do you mean white white or like burnt grass or straw?
white like white white. It is also just the half that is facing towards the light. They other half is green.
 
deltablack22

deltablack22

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2644334
white like white white. It is also just the half that is facing towards the light. They other half is green.
That would make it a lighting issue then...

Try raising the lighting or remove enough to allow it to "tumble" in the sump. And for the love of God, dont try to interrupt your water quality for the Cheato's sake.
 
fishfreak1242

fishfreak1242

Active Member
Originally Posted by DeltaBlack22
http:///forum/post/2644345
That would make it a lighting issue then...

Try raising the lighting or remove enough to allow it to "tumble" in the sump. And for the love of God, dont try to interrupt your water quality for the Cheato's sake.
Do you mean raising the amount of light or moving the fixture itself?
 
deltablack22

deltablack22

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2644351
Do you mean raising the amount of light or moving the fixture itself?
Sorry about that, I meant physically raising the fixture. I assume you are using some sort of clamp on inside your stand so it shouldnt be a huge issue for you.
 
bpro32

bpro32

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/2644500
this has got to be the first time I have ever heard that.
It does sound very funny but I have thought of things like this too. Like how can I grow hair algae to keep a sea hare alive... pretty dumb thought, but a legitimate concern nonetheless.
 
matt b

matt b

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2643692
Ok so I need to get my nitrates higher. I know that sounds stupid but let me explain. In my 20 gal fuge I have some chaeto that is beginning to die and I think it is because my nitrates are at 0 right now. It is starting to turn white. It has plenty of flow and light. So now I need to get my nitrates up to 5-10ppm. Is there any way that I can do this to save my chaeto?
Return the cheato
Heck throw it out if anything. Why raise nitrates.
 
aztec reef

aztec reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2643692
In my 20 gal fuge I have some chaeto that is beginning to die and I think it is because my nitrates are at 0 right now. It is starting to turn white.
yeah, it means its braking down & dieying..cheato grows by using Nitrates, Phosphates & iron mainly.(at a specific uptake ratio,depending on species.) If any of this elements are not present/or in suficient amounts to meet the needs. You won't see growth, cause Chaeto will just have the light and flow for uptake. which isn't enuff for optimal growth..
It would be like having fish and not feeding them..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top