Nitrate

[steve620]

I have a 65 gallon saltwater tank, Im having trouble with the NITRATE level. Ican't get it down to a safe level. Right now it's between 80 and 160.
I just did a water change (20gallons) yesterday.
Need help on what to do. ( I've not lost any fish)

 

[florida joe]

try another test kit

 

[steve620]

I'm using API

 

[florida joe]

try another test kit

 

[steve620]

What would cause the Nitrate to be High ?

 

[bang guy]

Nitrates need some type of system to remove. Live Rock, DSB, algae scrubber, etc. A 50% water change will cut them in half

but without a removal system they will just come back. Make sure your skimmer is operating correctly and that you're not overfeeding.

 

[florida joe]

Ok it seems like my old friend Bang has drawn me into this thread. how long has your tank been set up, how many fish do you have, what is your feeding regiment, have your nitrates always been high, do you have any higher forms of algae growing, how often have do you do water changes and how much. How much live rock do you have? You state you have a 65g I am then surmising that there is some displacement, that being the case a 20g water change is well over 33%. What were you nitrate reading after the water change? Have you had a case of cyano lately? Are you spot on with your nitrate testing (using a watch to time individual steps)

 

[steve620]

This is my first saltwater tank. The tank has been up for 16 months with no trouble till now. I have about 10 fish in there now. I do have a problem with algae on the glass and I clean it everyday. I feed them 1 frozen cube of shrimp per day and sometimes a pinch of dry flakes. I do water changes the first of every month. I was only doing 15 gallons at a time till yesterday when I was told to do 20 gallons. The live rock is loaded in the 65 gal tank plus I have live rock in the bottom sump. are there any pictures you could post as to amount of rock should be in the tank. No Cyano in tank. As far as the skimmer goes it was given to me and I would say its most likey a cheap one. Could you recommend one that I don't have to take a loan out on .I think I might be a little lax with the testing.
Thanks for the help

 

[florida joe]

try another test kit and be spot on with the test, ummm did i already say try another test kit umm

 

[beaslbob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/393607/nitrate#post_3502303
Nitrates need some type of system to remove. Live Rock, DSB, algae scrubber, etc. A 50% water change will cut them in half

but without a removal system they will just come back. Make sure your skimmer is operating correctly and that you're not overfeeding.
+1
After a long time operating with only water changes and using the api test kit 80-160 (red) is very common.
As you have found your water changes will not result in low or no nitrates.
So as Bang stated you have to increase the nitrate consumers to get nitrates down. (Well my take on what he stated anyway.)
To that end IMHO the best things is algae especially macro algaes in a refugium. An ATS is a good option also but requires some building skills or money.
I had similiar nitrates on my old 55g untill I added a $10 1/4" square plastic grid (egg crate--lighting diffuser from building supply stores) about 3" in front of the back glass.
I then added 2 2 tube 4' utility fixtures with 6500k lights. About 6" behind the back glass pointing forward. Fixtures and lights cost ~ $15 each.
The chaetomorphia and caulerpa thrived in the area between the back glass and the egg crate.
My tangs were picking on the macros that poked through.
Small fish were going in and out of the egg crate for the pods that grew there.
And best of all after three weeks nitrates dropped to unmeasureable levels in 3 or 4 days.
So think of how you can add macros and protect them. Then nitrates will be a thing of the past.
my .02

 

[steve620]

Going to store today for more macro algae .