What is ok for a Nitrate level?

J

jessed244

Guest
I just got my test kit yesterday, I had been using test strips, but was advised not too, the strips said the levels were fine, HOWEVER the test kit shows Nitrate is at 20 or so, What is acceptable for Nitrates?? Thanks!

This is in my established 20 gal tank.
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Originally Posted by jessed244
http:///forum/post/2567988
I just got my test kit yesterday, I had been using test strips, but was advised not too, the strips said the levels were fine, HOWEVER the test kit shows Nitrate is at 20 or so, What is acceptable for Nitrates?? Thanks!

This is in my established 20 gal tank.
The answer depends on the type of tank you're running. If it's a reef you want it as close to (if not equal to) zero at all times. If it's a FOWLR, then 10-20 isn't bad, and is often normal. Anything over 20 starts to cause trouble and should be dealt with. Hope that helps.

BTW, a tank as small as 20g should be simple to deal with nitrates through water changes and you could have 0 after you adopt/adjust a good water change schedule.
 
J

jessed244

Guest
Thanks, I do have one frag of Xenia in it, so I guess it is tech a reef.
I just changed the water last week, I wonder why it is high?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by jessed244
http:///forum/post/2567997
Thanks, I do have one frag of Xenia in it, so I guess it is tech a reef.
I just changed the water last week, I wonder why it is high?

In my experience some species of Xenia seem to prefer Nitrates above 5 or so. Especially Red Sea.
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Originally Posted by jessed244
http:///forum/post/2567997
Thanks, I do have one frag of Xenia in it, so I guess it is tech a reef.
I just changed the water last week, I wonder why it is high?
I'm with Bang Guy, the xenia wouldn't have issues with the nitrates, and some types of mushrooms are the same.
But it's possible that you always had this level of nitrate and never knew if all you've used were the test strips instead of the liquid testing kits. High nitrates often come from overfeeding.
 
J

jessed244

Guest
Well maybe I am feeding them too much, I feed everyday, they seem to eat it all but that must be it
 
justins13

justins13

New Member
are there any other ways to control high nitrate levels besides not over feeding and doing water changes? i am having a similar problem with my tank. but i just did a water change right before i got the new test kit.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Things that lower Nitrates:
Waterchanges
Algae Scrubbers
Deep Sand Beds
Large pieces of Live Rock
Nitrate/Phosphate Pads
Nitrate Coils
Any other live organism that you can grow prolifically and export like Xenia, Leather Corals, Protopalythoa, etc.
 
mx#28

mx#28

Active Member
Xenia are often found growing in effluent pipes in the ocean and I've heard accounts of them going strong in tanks with nitrates as high as 150ppm. Though they can sometimes do just fine in very nutrient free tanks, I think dirty water is probably preferred.
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
I would add another method to Bang Guy's list.
Increase water flow.
Some times detritis can accumulate in pockets in the tank and that could lead to nitrates. Increasing the flow can suspend the detritis which is then picked up by the skimmer and/or filter.
 
niskyvaulter

niskyvaulter

Member
also, what kind of biological filtration do you have and how much e.g. dsb, live rock, fuge. also, if you dont have a protein skimmer getting one would help. it doesnt remove nitrates but it removes food and other wastes that cause high nitrates.
 
justins13

justins13

New Member
yeah i guess a little background would have helped. i have a 27gal hex tank with a backpack filter/protien skimmer and a canister filter. i have 40lbs livesand (about 3-4 inches), 22lbs of live rock and a ton of flow. i have five damsels: 1 yellowtail, 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 3stripe and 1 large domino. i also have: 1 false percula, 1 green spotted puffer(1.5inch), 1 small pink tip haitian anemone, 1 abalone, 2 large turbo snails and a swf 55gal reef package.
what are nitrate coils and nitrate/phosphate pads? are these my best bet?
i have been doing waterchanges of 10-12 gal every few days for about two weeks and it is only slightly helping!
THANKS!
 
gmann1139

gmann1139

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2662642
You are severely overstocked IMO.
Ditto. If you're doing 40 - 50% WC every few days without help, you may be heading for a big world of hurt. Are you registering Ammonia or nitrite?
I would say you're probably double the number of fish for that tank. I wouldn't go over 4, even with small fish like damsels.
 
justins13

justins13

New Member
no nitrites or amonia is registering. maybe i should try another test for the nitrates... if the levels were really over 120 or even now at around 80-90 shouldn't i be having alot of problems? i guess i can get rid of a couple of damsels but doesn't seem like alot in the tank. what about sugar/vodka dosing? pros cons?
 
gmann1139

gmann1139

Active Member
Aquatic life can tolerate the slow buildup of nitrates. Its like cholesterol, you won't notice any issues until 'the big one' hits.
However, a level of 80 is going to cause long term issues. As previously stated, <20 is desirable.
Keep doing WC and get it down, then take a hard look at the long-term viability of your stocklist.
 
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