Trying to lower nitrates....not working

sac10918

sac10918

Member
Hi
I am trying to lower my Nitrates from about 50 to zero (hopefully). I have a 24 gallon tank and did a 10% water change yesterday, as well as changing the carbon in my phosban and adding some cheato to my tank. Today I did another 10% water change but when I tested my nitrates, they havent budged. I also have cut back on my feedings...
SHouldnt I be seeing some sort of change in the levels even after only 2 water changes or am I being too hasty?
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
With nitrates that high, 10% water change won't cut it. I'd change 8g every 3-4 days until nitrates drop.
 
sac10918

sac10918

Member
Really? So doing a 33% (or more since the tank is not actually filled with 24 gallons) is okay? I had heard to do smaller changes so that I dont start up another cycle...
 
S

shark bait

Guest
you could even do a larger water change as the good bacteria lives in the filter and not in the water, but your new water needs to set 24 hours prior to mixing inthe tank. I say this because I have a 20 gal qt tank and will do large water changes as needed.
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
do u hv enough live rocks? is ur substrate really dirty? if possible, always run a fuge w cheato.
 
sac10918

sac10918

Member
Yes, I have live rock (not sure how many pounds, but it fills up the tank appropriately I think). I also have relatively clean sand and tank....Its not dirty looking. I also have cleaned out the back sump area of the aquapod where a lot of detritus likes to hide.
I bought some cheato a few days ago, but I dont have a fuge so I put it in my main display.
I will mix up some water tongiht and let it aerate for 48 hours and try a 30% water change. Thanks everyone!
 
teen

teen

Active Member
just so you dont feel uneasy about doing a larger water change, im going to try and change 100% of my water this week. ill be doing this over the course of the whole week, not in just one day.
 
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