Nitrate ?

[chipper]

Hello,
I just tested my water and here are my results.
Ammonia=0
Nitrites=0.1
Nitrates=10
Ph=8.3
How do I get my nitrates and nitrites to go down? I have already done a water change, but it really hasn't helped much.
Thanks

 

[thomas712]

Just my opinion but a nitrate reading of 10 is nothing to worry about. In fact many corals can use some nitrates in the system.
You could feed less
Add a deep sand bed
Add a refugium with macro algeas
Use a denitrafication coil
Lots of ideas, but like I said, 10ppm no problem.
Nitrites - what test kit are you using>?
Thomas

 

[aarone]

your nitrates arent in a bad rain. The nitrites are present. Even small amounts of nitrites are toxic to fish. Get those down. Find out what is causing the nitrites. How long has your tank been set up?
aaron

 

[chipper]

The test kit I am using is Red Sea Marine Lab. My tank is a 29gal FOWLR and has been running for over a year I added some fish recently and my last water change was last night.

 

[chipper]

Would having a refugium help? I have thought about installing one for a while now.

 

[aarone]

A refugium will help if it has macros in it. It couldnt hurt to have a DSB in the refuge as well.
aaron

 

[dreeves]

If your tank is real new, it could be the tailend of your cycle, and should come down on its own. Give it a few days and see what happens.