Nitrate Levels High

[tandt]

I am having problems with the nitrate levels in my tank. I have a 55gal. fish only tank and I can't get my nitrate levels below 20ppm. My Nitrite levels are at 0, amonia varies between 0 and .25, PH is a steady 8.2. Is there a additive or something I can use to help control this? Also, my salinity is at 1.024

 

[bang guy]

Nitrate is a dead-end nutrient. Meaning, it must be removed from your system, it won't just go away.
Water changes
Deep Sand Beds
Algae removal
Xenia removel
are a few ways to remove Nitrate, there are many more.

 

[tandt]

what is xenia?

 

[mr.smiley]

Do you have LR with fether dusters on them? They will help (very,very,very little) on lowering your nitrates

 

[mr.smiley]

Originally posted by Mr.Smiley
Do you have LR with fether dusters on them? They will help (very,very,very little) on lowering your nitrates
I read that in a magazine at my vet. when i took my dog in to have her shots.

 

[big911dog]

ur ammonia should stay zero'd out after the cycle. that should be a concern to look into

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by tandt
what is xenia?
It's a soft coral that can grow very rapidly.

 

[tandt]

thanks for the help, believe I found the problem. Had been using well water the past couple of water changes and I tested it for nitrates last night. It showed the same amount that was in my tank. Headed to the lfs today to get 20 gal. of good water. appreciate all the help from everyone. Guess it would have saved a lot of headach if I would have checked it in the first place.