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Cultivated Reef

Nitrate levels high


MJ1980

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My nitrate level is between 15-25 and I can't seem to get it down!

I've been told less food and light and more water changes which I'm trying to do now but it has not gone down for weeks now! I also have a 0.05 nitrate which I've never had before! Any ideas please?

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Have you changed your feeding routine? Also tell us about your tank. i.e. size, filtration, etc. Nitrates are controllable we just need to figure out the best way to control them in your personal tank.

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My nitrate level is between 15-25 and I can't seem to get it down!

I've been told less food and light and more water changes which I'm trying to do now but it has not gone down for weeks now! I also have a 0.05 nitrate which I've never had before! Any ideas please?

Cutting down on feeding and lighting is a horrible idea (unless both was excessive originally). It'll just hurt your live stock. What does lighting even have to do with nitrates anyways. >.>

 

If you are feeding the right amount and seeing high nitrates, then that means that your filtration is not good enough, and you have to improve that, or do more frequent water changes.

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Cutting down on feeding and lighting is a horrible idea (unless both was excessive originally). It'll just hurt your live stock. What does lighting even have to do with nitrates anyways. >.>

 

If you are feeding the right amount and seeing high nitrates, then that means that your filtration is not good enough, and you have to improve that, or do more frequent water changes.

I am assuming that the cutting down on light was to slow algae growth. But yes it doesn't help nitrates but may slow algae, although not by much. Algae can grow in almost any light. Look at freshwater tanks, they are often lit by incandescent lights and still have algae.

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I have a 180 jewel rio tank with internal filter and skimmer. Not sure which skimmer but paid £160 for it and was told it was a good 1. I have sponges in my filter which I've been told are not that great and should think about changing my media?? I can't seem to upload pics at the mo but I have live rock all through the middle reaching half way in height. I was feeding my fish 3 small cubes of frozen mysis, krill, brine shrimp but now on flake food where I give them a small pinch 3 times daily. Lfs said 8 hours of light instead of 10 will help nitrate levels? Thanks for all the advice given.

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Haha thats funny what the LFS said because light and nitrate have no affect on one another. Don't take their advice anymore! Don't worry about it I run my lights 12 hours in a day. Pics will be the most helpful at this point. But yes sponge filters are nitrate factories. I have one but I clean it every other day and replace it about every 2 months. Lets also see pics of your skim mate when you get a chance. That'll tell us how well it is actually working.

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You have to click more reply options then choose the file then hit attach this file. Then when yyou post it will be there!

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You can also host them on sites like photobucket.com.

 

Lol if anything lights help reduce nitrates.

 

More light -> more algae -> more sequestering of nitrates -> less nitrates measured.

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CronicReefer

A product I can recommend for you that will absorb a large amount of nitrates from the water is called NitratR from Brightwell Aquatics. I just started using the product 2 weeks ago and I am absolutely amazed at how well and quickly it works. It is a regenerable resin (I regenerate mine once a week) so it will last years before it ever needs to be replaced.

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RedSea's NO3-PO4-X is amazing, it removes phosphates and nitrates. Using it right now and it has been working really well. would rate8/10

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Thanks guys, I will get on this straight away, I'm back on my normal feeding (3 cubes) and lighting (10hrs) I appreciate all your comments?

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The other option is to vodka dose. I am currently doing it and am very happy with the results! I feed my fish 3 times a day and feed the corals every other day. My nitrates are virtually undetectable. I did still have a slight amount of phosphate, but some GFO took that down to zero as well. Just food for thought! The key to success with vodka is starting slowly and having a very good skimmer!

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happyhour99

you could try something like seachem matrix or brightwells X-Port NO3. It artificial live rock, but it suppose to be able to host denitrifing (i know i misspelled that) bacteria.

 

A product I can recommend for you that will absorb a large amount of nitrates from the water is called NitratR from Brightwell Aquatics. I just started using the product 2 weeks ago and I am absolutely amazed at how well and quickly it works. It is a regenerable resin (I regenerate mine once a week) so it will last years before it ever needs to be replaced.

ARRG where were you a year ago. I was looking for exactly that. :)

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CronicReefer

ARRG where were you a year ago. I was looking for exactly that. :)

I'm truly impressed at how well it works but I recommend solving the root cause of high nitrates. I bought because my lobster caused a nutrient spike and I think one of my nassarius died/was murdered. In 5 days my nitrates dropped from 25 to under 10 with just the addition of 125mL NitratR.

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