Nitrates Always High

Stephenmd35 · 03/07/2014, 04:09 AM

Good morning to you all.

I have had a marine tank for 8 months now but the tank has been established for more than 1 year.

I seem to be having problems with the Nitrate levels, have done the recommended water changes, changed the sand and also completed maintenance on the filter system to ensure all working ok.

However since obtaining the tank the nitrates have always been very high (100) all the fish are fine and have added new cleaner crew in which have all survived.

Can anyone suggest anything that may help me reduce the nitrate levels anymore I have added a liquid (nitrate remover) but isn't working.

please help

Silvergryphon · 03/07/2014, 04:32 AM

What brand test are you using? Have you tried a different test? Depending on how old the test kit is, it could be giving you a false reading.

Dankrencisz · 03/07/2014, 04:49 AM

I've heard that the API ones are pretty bad. Here are two different readings about 20 minutes apart. Can't fluctuate that much in that short if time.

Was also told to shake the bottles pretty hard.

froggernutz · 03/07/2014, 07:21 PM

Refugium ,algae turf scrubber

Jpugh73 · 03/07/2014, 07:22 PM

Carbon dosing

Nanook · 03/07/2014, 07:37 PM

More information is needed. What size aquarium do you have, how many fish, what kinds of fish? What are your feeding habits? What quantity of water do you change and how often. What test kit(s) are you using? How many pounds of live rock? These are just some basic questions you should answer if you really want quality help.

fishpureluck · 03/07/2014, 07:47 PM

Are you using "play sand" for your sand? I originally had silica based play sand in my 300 and I would always get false nitrate readings. I had corals and anemones, so if the nitrate readings were real, everything would be dead. Got rid of the sand and went with caribsea, and the nitrate issue went away.

nlgill13 · 03/07/2014, 08:08 PM

do you have filter sponges (ones that would go in between a baffle in your sump) or a canister filter?

davocean · 03/07/2014, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlgill13

do you have filter sponges (ones that would go in between a baffle in your sump) or a canister filter?

Always my first thought too w/ high trates.

Dankrencisz · 03/08/2014, 07:08 AM

I'm having the same issues. Never occurred to me the fact that I have a Fluval canister filter running while my diy sump cures. It's full of sponges and filter floss.

Changing it as soon as I get home.

03/07/2014, 04:09 AM	#1
Stephenmd35 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 1	Nitrates Always High Good morning to you all. I have had a marine tank for 8 months now but the tank has been established for more than 1 year. I seem to be having problems with the Nitrate levels, have done the recommended water changes, changed the sand and also completed maintenance on the filter system to ensure all working ok. However since obtaining the tank the nitrates have always been very high (100) all the fish are fine and have added new cleaner crew in which have all survived. Can anyone suggest anything that may help me reduce the nitrate levels anymore I have added a liquid (nitrate remover) but isn't working. please help

03/07/2014, 07:37 PM	#6
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	More information is needed. What size aquarium do you have, how many fish, what kinds of fish? What are your feeding habits? What quantity of water do you change and how often. What test kit(s) are you using? How many pounds of live rock? These are just some basic questions you should answer if you really want quality help. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

03/07/2014, 07:47 PM	#7
fishpureluck Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Jensen Beach, FL Posts: 219	Are you using "play sand" for your sand? I originally had silica based play sand in my 300 and I would always get false nitrate readings. I had corals and anemones, so if the nitrate readings were real, everything would be dead. Got rid of the sand and went with caribsea, and the nitrate issue went away. __________________ 300 gallon 8ft FOWLR peninsula room divider 120 gallon SPS/LPS

03/07/2014, 08:08 PM	#8
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	do you have filter sponges (ones that would go in between a baffle in your sump) or a canister filter? __________________ 90G DT w/ 30G sump, 2 Apollo SolarBlast Dimmable LEDs, 160 Reef Octopus Extreme, Neptune Apex, Mag 7, MP10 & MP40

03/07/2014, 04:32 AM	#2
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	What brand test are you using? Have you tried a different test? Depending on how old the test kit is, it could be giving you a false reading.

03/07/2014, 04:49 AM	#3
Dankrencisz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brunswick Ohio Posts: 292	I've heard that the API ones are pretty bad. Here are two different readings about 20 minutes apart. Can't fluctuate that much in that short if time. Was also told to shake the bottles pretty hard.

03/07/2014, 07:21 PM	#4
froggernutz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: allentown pa Posts: 24	Refugium ,algae turf scrubber

03/07/2014, 07:22 PM	#5
Jpugh73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Lanexa, Va Posts: 253	Carbon dosing

03/08/2014, 07:08 AM	#10
Dankrencisz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brunswick Ohio Posts: 292	I'm having the same issues. Never occurred to me the fact that I have a Fluval canister filter running while my diy sump cures. It's full of sponges and filter floss. Changing it as soon as I get home.