Nitrate Question??

[cliffrouse11bas]

My nitrates are rising. They were 5 last week now they are at 10. I had one snail die this morning so I did some test no ammonia. Just nitrates 10. I have only two small fish one false percula and a yellow watchman goby and a cleaner shrimp. I feed one flake in the morning and 1/4 of a cube of frozen mysis or brine in the afternoon. Maybe a little less of a 1/4. I have bio-wheels on my penguin 330. I have a 3 1/2 in to 4 in deep sand bed. 40 lbs of live rock. Cpr bakpak 2r. Corals and hermits snails etc....I do montly water changes with ro water and run carbon and phosphate sponge once a month. What is the cause of my rise of nitrates????

 

[salty rick]

A rise in nitrates could be due to many things. My first guess would be to much feeding. Others may have a better idea so this will "bump" you up to the top.

 

[thomas712]

Was just thinking the same thing, a little overfeeding, or a snail death could have made it rise. Could be your sandbed is just a little busy right now to take care of the excess. A nitrate of 10 is nothing to really worry about.
Thomas

 

[mrmaroon]

You could change water every 2 weeks instead of once a month and that may help. I do smaller water changes once a week and that works for me, but a little time consuming.