Nitrate Levels To High

[Seashell]

Hi everyone!

I did a Nitrate test yesterday and the levels was to high. So I did the recommended 20% water change. How long do I need to wait before testing the water again?

I'm still a newbie, so need all the help I can get

 

[Pheonix]

depending on your water movement and tank sizeyou can retest about 2 hours after youve done the chage and you should get a fairly accurate reading

 

[N1z]

Thing is a 20% change will only knock it down a little wot are ur readings before the water change?
What test kit u using aswel? Nitrate is one of the worst to test for with all the test kits around cos most arent always accurate, as i read in PFK.

 

[Seashell]

Thing is a 20% change will only knock it down a little wot are ur readings before the water change?
What test kit u using aswel? Nitrate is one of the worst to test for with all the test kits around cos most arent always accurate, as i read in PFK.

I used a Nutrafin test kit. It can be used for both fresh & salt water. (don't know if this might be a factor) the reading was 110mg/L. The leaflet suggests that it should not be over20mg/L.
I changed 1/2 of the biomax & carbon in my filter a week ago. Will this have a affect? (I bought the tank 2nd hand and the stuff in the filter was really manky & old)
I took out some of the old gravel yesterday and replaced it with live sand. I also syphoned out most of the waste that I could when I did the water change.

 

[N1z]

OUCH! i once had 75mgs. Tbh nutrafin one is the most accurate out of most test kits and yer u need to best aim for roughly 10mgs as is gets hard to have it below that im finding. The best thing is to do lots of water changes like one ever 2 days min so it doesnt mess about the tanks parameters too much. Live sand can help but takes long time but the gravel is probs a main cause.
I would definatly advise u to think wot ur doing wrong to make the nitrates so high... Here are a few:
Over feeding
Not enough frequent water changes
Over stocked tank

Only other thing is a Denitator but how big is ur tank and they can be a little OTT as im finding out and have now turned mine off as the levels are ok.

 

[Seashell]

It's a 30 gallon tank. When I bought it 2nd hand (3weeks ago) it had the gravel, rocks (not live) and 2 gobies in it. Since I've got 2 clown fish. So, only 4 fish. I'm keeping an eye on their food consumption and the gobies come out at night to find any left over food, so not overfeeding & not over stocking. Could the rocks perhaps be to old and might they have bacteria in them that can cause this? I'm really worried. Would it be OK to replace some of the rocks with live rock?
I wish I could start over, but I have to live stock to consider and I'm really fond of them

 

[N1z]

Right thats alright it aint ur fault . The rock u have could cause it but not too much. Do u use tap water or RO? and did the guy who sold u it use RO cos they can be a huge cause.
The filter wot does it run it in part from carbon? Is it just like a sponge cos they can cuase nitrate issues as only anerobic bacteria to thrive there not the bacteria that takes out nitrate.
Living rock is strongly advised its a biological filter that filters all types of pollutants. I litterally run my tank on it and its amazing i only do water changes.

You can re start by asking your LFS to look after ur fish they should be ok with it i know my shop does with freshwater and one i go to get my marines does. Then if u was to go about this plan. Depending on the water you have running in the tank it could be either start again completely or just keep the live sand and add Live rock which i would say for adequate filtration i say between 15 and 20 kilos this also gives a good amount to aquascape with and filter. Ive got 40 kilos even though i only need 25 i think just i like mine fully rocky. But if u are a bit tight for cash look for LR from people closing their tanks down u can get rock for over half the price and even better quality and life on it.

 

[Seashell]

I buy the RO water from my LFS and they have a good reputation. I use a Fluval 304 filter with carbon, biomax, sponges & wool. The tank has a 'sand filter' at the bottom. Would it be ok if I take out everything in the tank and clean the waste below the sand filter? Then put everything back & do a partial water change. Would it be ok to add a bit of live rock?

 

[rhysiboy]

you could always ask if you LFS could store your fis h for a while i know mine has before now after my dad's freshie tank smashed

 

[N1z]

Right well thats good your using Ro. The biomax is that ceramic media? that could be a cause. Without a doubt do water changes its main way to knock it out of ur tank. The sand thing i dont understand ull have to describe it more for me as i cant imagine just sand at the bottum chamber of the 304. Add some LR for sure but just keep an eye on the fish those levels dont sound safe for fish and ask ur LFS if they could take them on in an emergency etc.

 

[Seashell]

This is the biomax I use: Biomax I use their carbon too.

Sorry if I didn't explain the 'sand filter' thing correctly. I did some research and it's an undegravel filter. I also realised that's it's only the black plastic thing that's still under the gravel. There's no filter hooked to it. I fould this pic on the web:



I'll do a water change and add some live rock as soon as I can. I work during the week and by the time I get home all the shops are closed. I hope things will be ok till the weekend. Fingers crossed.

 

[Lynden]

According to the Nutrafin nitrate test kit, my tank has had over 110 mg/L nitrate levels ever since I restarted (after a crash) the tank in May. All animals are currently in top health (the Pinktail fought a cryptocarion infection when I first got him) and a while back I had a coral that did very well; until it was consumed by a massive crab. To me, a nitrate level of 110 mg/L seems impossible; as stated before, all the animals are flourishing. It was likely a misread, and I now doubt the effectiveness of Nutrafin test kits.

Unfortunately, cyanobacteria and hair algae rule the tank; whether this is a side effect of high nitrate levels, I do not know.

-Lynden

 

[SkiFletch]

Sorry if I missed it mentioned in this longer thread (trying to speed-read here ), but have you taken a sample to your LFS to verify? Its very possible (especially with nitrate) that your test kit is giving you a false reading.

 

[Seashell]

According to the Nutrafin nitrate test kit, my tank has had over 110 mg/L nitrate levels ever since I restarted (after a crash) the tank in May. All animals are currently in top health (the Pinktail fought a cryptocarion infection when I first got him) and a while back I had a coral that did very well; until it was consumed by a massive crab. To me, a nitrate level of 110 mg/L seems impossible; as stated before, all the animals are flourishing. It was likely a misread, and I now doubt the effectiveness of Nutrafin test kits.

Unfortunately, cyanobacteria and hair algae rule the tank; whether this is a side effect of high nitrate levels, I do not know.

-Lynden

That’s a relieve! I’ve been worried all night and planning how I’m going to have to empty the whole tank and try to catch my gobies!! I’m sure everyone dreads having to go to that extent! I did my water changes, there’s not more than normal waste, I’m not over stocked and I don’t overfeed. I even ‘vacuumed’ the gravel as much as I could and replaced some of the old gravel with live sand. So, you can understand why I’ve got my hair in my hands as to why the Nitrate levels are so high. All the other tests came out fine.
My fishies look happy and even a little red legged crab that I thought had passed away, is enjoying himself in the sand.
So, I’ll be off to my LFS for a water test. I’m tempted to get a bit of live rock while I’m there!

 

[N1z]

Yer as skifletch just said id double check it. Also if thats an undergravel no wonder u have high nitrates they are nitrate factories.