Nitrate help

KisselDanny · 10/25/2008, 08:12 PM

I have a 75g DT with a 40g sump and my nitrates are 100. I was told to do a 25g water change every other day until things are under control but I have already done two water changes in the past 3 days and my nitrate is still 100/red that is as high as my test kit goes so it could be higher. Any different advise to lower my nitrate or should I keep doing what im doing. And if I keep changing 25g every other day isnt my tank going to start to cycle again?

Saltcity · 10/25/2008, 08:47 PM

I would say buy a new test kit just to make sure your right (or the other kit is right).
If your Nitrates are that high, keep changing water. What your doing with the water changes is diluting your levels to get them into range....Your not going to through the whole "cycle" thing unless you drain all the water and start new.

Why are the Nitrates that high??? You need to find out why and fix the problem so it doesn't happen again!

Flipper62 · 10/25/2008, 08:59 PM

I would take some water into your LFS & let them test the water.....This will confirm if your test kit is bad or not

Saltcity · 10/25/2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flipper62
I would take some water into your LFS & let them test the water.....This will confirm if your test kit is bad or not

Oh yeah.... Guess that would be cheaper!

I'm just used to shell'n out money with this hobby...

Flipper62 · 10/25/2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reeforbust
Oh yeah.... Guess that would be cheaper! I'm just used to shell'n out money with this hobby...

WELL.....Reeforbust.........Just send me your money.... I will do the research & testing & report back to you..............

mg426 · 10/25/2008, 11:24 PM

What kind of test kit are you using ????

KisselDanny · 10/26/2008, 10:16 PM

it is not my test kit my lfs and myself tested the water. I bought a RO/DI unit, hooked it up and brought a sample to petco and they said it was good to go. then my tank started going down hill and my BTA died I brought my water to a different saltwater fish store and they said my TDS was 135. Thats why my nitrates are so high. I will keep going with the water changes until they are under control.

rad3dad · 10/26/2008, 10:34 PM

Did you get your source water straightened out? 135 is higher than what comes straight out of my tap.

You could add some chemical filtration to the mix as well. I doubt your tank will cycle due to water changes, as long as you have plenty of bacteria in the LR/sand, and let the fresh mixed water heat up to the same temp as the tank. Do you have a fugue in the sump?

10/25/2008, 08:12 PM	#1
KisselDanny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St.Charles, MO Posts: 67	Nitrate help I have a 75g DT with a 40g sump and my nitrates are 100. I was told to do a 25g water change every other day until things are under control but I have already done two water changes in the past 3 days and my nitrate is still 100/red that is as high as my test kit goes so it could be higher. Any different advise to lower my nitrate or should I keep doing what im doing. And if I keep changing 25g every other day isnt my tank going to start to cycle again?

10/25/2008, 08:59 PM	#3
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I would take some water into your LFS & let them test the water.....This will confirm if your test kit is bad or not __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

10/25/2008, 11:24 PM	#6
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	What kind of test kit are you using ???? __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

10/25/2008, 08:47 PM	#2
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	I would say buy a new test kit just to make sure your right (or the other kit is right). If your Nitrates are that high, keep changing water. What your doing with the water changes is diluting your levels to get them into range....Your not going to through the whole "cycle" thing unless you drain all the water and start new. Why are the Nitrates that high??? You need to find out why and fix the problem so it doesn't happen again!

10/26/2008, 10:16 PM	#7
KisselDanny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St.Charles, MO Posts: 67	it is not my test kit my lfs and myself tested the water. I bought a RO/DI unit, hooked it up and brought a sample to petco and they said it was good to go. then my tank started going down hill and my BTA died I brought my water to a different saltwater fish store and they said my TDS was 135. Thats why my nitrates are so high. I will keep going with the water changes until they are under control.

10/26/2008, 10:34 PM	#8
rad3dad Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central IL Posts: 175	Did you get your source water straightened out? 135 is higher than what comes straight out of my tap. You could add some chemical filtration to the mix as well. I doubt your tank will cycle due to water changes, as long as you have plenty of bacteria in the LR/sand, and let the fresh mixed water heat up to the same temp as the tank. Do you have a fugue in the sump?