MJ1980 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 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? Link to comment
Sugardaddy1979 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 What test kit? Any algae problems? Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 Have had a little algae on rocks and sand. I've used salifert and seachem! Lfs said the same Link to comment
Neebles Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 What size tank and what livestock do you have Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have 2 clown 1 angel 1 demsal 2 very small goby and 3 shrimp Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 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. Link to comment
Azedenkae Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 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. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 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. Link to comment
WibblyPig Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Can you post a picture of the tank so we can get an idea of how much rock, sand, etc. you have? Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 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. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 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. Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 How can I get pics up pls? Tried everything Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 You have to click more reply options then choose the file then hit attach this file. Then when yyou post it will be there! Link to comment
Azedenkae Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 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. Link to comment
CronicReefer Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 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. Link to comment
Rememberme Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 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 Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 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? Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 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! Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 Vodka, now that's new!! Won't the fish get drunk?? And who is pop eye??? Lol Link to comment
Maniu Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 No, not new. But I would not recommend it for beginners or those with poor schedule/dosage ethics lol Link to comment
MJ1980 Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 I'll think I'll leave the vodka for now lol and try what previous people had said. But thanks for the feed back? Link to comment
happyhour99 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 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. Link to comment
CronicReefer Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 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. Link to comment
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