Nitrates : /

alumentum

alumentum

Member
Ok, so, I haven't had many problems but, I can't seem to get my nitrates down below 20-10(can't tell the colors are too close). Any ideas on how to do this? I feed twice a day but, I take out whatever isn't eaten. I don't have a lot of live rock yet or even a powerhead(but I plan to change that soon) Can I maybe add some nitrate reducer to my filter? or is there something else I can do? Also, if I were to test my water and post pictures here do you suppose you could tell me what the readings are, maybe I'm just misreading them?
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
for your readings if you don't think you are doing right you could always take a sample to your LFS and check yours against thiers.
a nitrate reading of 20 is just fine. If you feel you are doing everything you can to keep it down and you really want to go to zero (undetectable) maybe a sump/fuge with some macro algae would be the best thing for you.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

20 to10 is in a VERY safe range. You are stressed for nothing. Fish can handle it way up there, and coral and inverts up to 40. I have NEVER had a reading of 0… 10 is the best I ever got it down to before realizing it was not needful to reach 0.
 
alumentum

alumentum

Member
ugh, lol ok thank you for telling me. I usually try to get the LFS to test my water but, they're an hour away and sometimes they can't do it. I'm just a little worried because recently one of my fish started to swim strange so I QT all of them. The one that swims strange has Brook I think so I have been treating them. They are all doing great and I am close to putting them back in but, over the last two days, the female has refused to eat the food she used to go crazy for. Any ideas?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Alumentum
http:///forum/post/3272313
ugh, lol ok thank you for telling me. I usually try to get the LFS to test my water but, they're an hour away and sometimes they can't do it. I'm just a little worried because recently one of my fish started to swim strange so I QT all of them. The one that swims strange has Brook I think so I have been treating them. They are all doing great and I am close to putting them back in but, over the last two days, the female has refused to eat the food she used to go crazy for. Any ideas?

Possibly stressed from living in close quarters, saltwater fish don't do well when cramped. A QT is hard on them.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Flower is right on the nitrates: 10-20 ppm is very safe.. By "brook"; I assume you're referring to brooklynella. This isn't easy to treat, what are you using? Formalin is still the only cure I know of. Also, I'd re-post this in the disease section, along with as much info as you can. I'd really do this ASAP, brooklynella is deadly.
 
alumentum

alumentum

Member
Yes, brooklynella. I have already posted in that section but, I don't think anyone has posted. They looked like they had early symptoms when she started to swim funny. That's when I QT'ed and treated with formalin baths. I am giving another today, and looking them over. If they look ok should I put them back in despite her not wanting to eat?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Alumentum
http:///forum/post/3272400
Yes, brooklynella. I have already posted in that section but, I don't think anyone has posted. They looked like they had early symptoms when she started to swim funny. That's when I QT'ed and treated with formalin baths. I am giving another today, and looking them over. If they look ok should I put them back in despite her not wanting to eat?

That is a question for Beth. PM her and ask.
 
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