NO3 too high?

[gkl]

I tested my 75 gallon tank this morning and my Nitrate levels are sitting at 20 ppm. Other than a partial water change, is there anything I can do to lower the level? I am getting a new 44 gallon pentagon on Thursday and was hoping to be able to wait until then so I can transfer water from my 75 to my 44. I'm a worry wort and not very experienced with saltwater tanks, so any advice would be great. My other levels are
PH - 8.0
NO2 - 0
Ammonia - 0.25
Here's what lives in my tank at present:
1 yellow tang
1 figi blue damselfish
1 seabae clown
1 arch eye hawkfish
1 mandarin spotted goby
1 starfish
1 sally lightfoot
1 coral banded shrimp
about 15 snails
about 4 blue legged hermit crabs
about 3 red legged hermit crabs
1 sea urchin
1 seabae anemone (not doing well)
1 piece of coral (not sure of kind)

 

[lionkiller]

How old is this tank? Sounds like youy overloaded your bioload in a short period of time to me.
What filtration do you have?
As it sits now, with the information you have given me, a water change is your only option. NO3 is what is affecting your anenome. Water change quickly is in order.

 

[gkl]

My tank is a little over 1 year old. I have a PENN-PLAX Cascade 1200 canister filter, a EMPEROR 400 bio-wheel filter, and a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer.
I just remembered I added 3 pieces of rock that were once live rock but had been bleached a few times when I was having a MAJOR hair algae problem. They are small pieces though, just wanted more of a cave effect with the rocks.

 

[lionkiller]

If you bleached the rocks, I would bet that is your problem............Take them out and do a water change.
How did you bleach them....exact procedure from start till placed in tank......

 

[bigarn]

A nitrate reading of 20ppm is nothing to get alarmed about IMO. Partial waterchanges should lower it.... the main cause for concern is the detectable ammonia reading... it should be 0.
Sometimes an ammonia reading of 0.25 is due to the make of test kit you're using. Check it out.

 

[gkl]

Well, my original thought was that I had too much live rock in my tank, and that it was causing the hair algae. I later did some experimenting and found that my water temp was too high. Anyway, before this discovery, on several occassions I scrubbed and rinsed my rock to get the algae off with fresh water and a scrub brush, then placed the rock directly into the tank. These particular pieces I think I placed them in a bucket of part bleach part water and let them soak trying to kill the algae spores. I know now this was stupid but I had NO idea what I was doing. They had not been in my tank for at least 6 months. The largest piece was completely white, now with some green and red algae growing on it.
The test kit I use is SALTWATER MASTER liquid test kit.

 

[lionkiller]

It is possible you may have introduced some chlorine in your tank through these rocks. Especially if you never let them dry in the sun after the bleach touched them. Chlorine can survive a long time dormant. Sunlight or UV rays will kill it though.
This might not be your problem, but I might start there. Especially if the fish and reef life started having problems within three days of adding these..........
If so remove the rock and do a water change, 20%.
That is what I would do.

 

[gkl]

Thank you sooooo much. I was hoping to avoid the water change, but I love my tank and I have to do what's best.
I'm off to change my water.

 

[gkl]

Ok, I did a 20% water change and just retested the water. It tested the same

.
Should I wait and test again later or should I know immediately if the water is back to normal?:help:

 

[sankysyuck]

Most of the time, one water change is not going to do it. Usually, nitrate builds up by poor mantanance, among other things. I'd do a 20% water change every other day or so. Keep in mind, your nitrate level isnt that bad. Just make sure you have 0 ammonia, and 0 Nitrite. If I were you, I'd also try to boost your Ph just a little higher, to about 8.3. Nitrate is one of the more minor things you need to worry about, although, it's nothing to sneeze at. Make sure your not just putting tap water in your tank. I'd stongly suggest an RO system or a water deionizer system.
P.S. Your building tons of hair algae because of nitrate. Hair algae loves nitrate.

 

[sankysyuck]

P.S. you may want to try using products like "Nitrate Sponge" by Kent. Or you may want to try "Denitrate" by SeaChem. Both are for Marine or Freshwater use. I've never used to either one but Kent and Seachem are both very respectable brands. Not to disuade from Saltwaterfish.com but I know that they sell those two items on www.*************.com
Hope this helped...

 

[unleashed]

ok you def ned to bring up your ph just like a few others have said youll want to bring those up to 8.4 at least but not much more .i dont know what your heat is at but a nice 76 F is good for corols and anenomes from what i have been reading and been told at least.this will slow down your alge growth . for ammonia and nitrate problems they do make an amonia filter depending on what kind of filtration system you use if you are using a type that is on the back of your tank w/carbons and sponges you may be able to find the amonia filter to fit.I run 2 aquaclear 300's on my 125 gal the filter is solf for fresh water tanks but can be used on marine its a sheet type filter you cut to fit your system they do work if you can find them.another thing for nitrates is PRIMe by seachem chlorine and chlorimide remover also detoxifies nitrates i use this with every water change or top off.but if you can afford the RO systems or the deionizer they wont be a bad choice.