Nitrate Issue, some guidance appreciated.

dumbfireman · 11/30/2015, 01:23 PM

Hey everyone, Ive had my tank set up for about a year now. All of my parameters have been steady and looking good (ill provide the last couple tests below in more detail) up until yesterday. I got a nitrate reading of what looked to me and my wife of around 60-80ppm on a API test. I had some water mixed up and on hand so after a repeat test and a control on the new water i changed out 40gallons, the system is around 200gallons total. I went ahead and mixed another batch of water yesterday expecting to repeat the process until the nitrate came down. When i woke this morning my first test looked like it read 0ppm nitrate, and a repeated test read the same.... So my question is could this be possible? In my head it doesnt sound right. I have 3 clownfish, a blue jaw trigger, and a watchman goby. The only coral i have is a leather mushroom coral who responded favorably to the water change. I cleaned my skimmer and changed a filter sock (which i change every third day). I have a thin covering of crushed coral as a substrate and its cleaned during water changes. I have no algea outbreaks, but occasionally have some brown diatoms come and go. Should i continue the water changes or just keep a vigilant eye on the tests for awhile?

Thanks ahead of time.

dumbfireman · 11/30/2015, 01:33 PM

Testing data
7-30-15 1.026/79.2C/PH8.2/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate5/alk142/phos.02/calcium500/mag1600
8-15-15 1.026/79.3C/PH8.1/ammonia0.25/nitrite0/nitrate20/alk142/phos.02/calcium500/mag1600
8-28-15 1.026/79.2C/PH8.2/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate5/alk140/phos.00/calcium380/mag1600
9-15-15 1.026/79.3C/PH8.2/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate0/alk144/phos.00/calcium500/mag1600
10-1-15 1.026/79.2C/PH8.0/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate5/alk136/phos.00/calcium500/mag1600
11-1-15 1.024/79.3C/PH8.0/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate10/alk140/phos.00/calcium450/mag1600
11-29-15
1.026/79.3C/PH8.1/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate80/alk144/phos.00/calcium500/mag1600
today all the same as yesterday except nitrate read 0.

nmotz · 11/30/2015, 03:13 PM

I'd keep testing as it appears to me that maybe the 80ppm reading was anomalous. If you do still have problems with nitrates you might consider dosing vinegar. It dropped my nitrates by half over a period of 2 weeks. Here's some good information: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....arine-aquarium

hogfanreefer · 11/30/2015, 05:57 PM

Was that test done shortly after feeding? Repeat the test first is good advice. If it's accurate I agree carbon dosing is a good choice.

nuttyd · 11/30/2015, 06:15 PM

Considered a fuge to control nitrates and allow more feeding?

dumbfireman · 12/01/2015, 02:37 PM

Thanks guys, The feeding for the day wasnt done until later that night. It had been about 12-13 hours since the last food was added, it was frozen and a small amount. I have been doing a lot of thinking and am wondering if maybe one of the filter socks i replaced hadnt been completely cleaned before being replaced. I have tested a few more times since then and still am getting a nitrate reading of 0ppm.

I have also been considering adding another filtration component before i add some more livestock. I go back and forth with the refugium idea, i have alot of space under the stand and it would be easy access for maintenance. I have also read about the carbon dosing methods being used, it seems to have its own advantages. With all the options on the table i havnt been able to commit.

scooter31707 · 12/01/2015, 02:51 PM

IMO, to get the best accurate test reading is to do it at the same time of the day. Just double check and make sure your test kits are not expired.

11/30/2015, 01:23 PM	#1
dumbfireman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Weatherford Texas Posts: 39	Nitrate Issue, some guidance appreciated. Hey everyone, Ive had my tank set up for about a year now. All of my parameters have been steady and looking good (ill provide the last couple tests below in more detail) up until yesterday. I got a nitrate reading of what looked to me and my wife of around 60-80ppm on a API test. I had some water mixed up and on hand so after a repeat test and a control on the new water i changed out 40gallons, the system is around 200gallons total. I went ahead and mixed another batch of water yesterday expecting to repeat the process until the nitrate came down. When i woke this morning my first test looked like it read 0ppm nitrate, and a repeated test read the same.... So my question is could this be possible? In my head it doesnt sound right. I have 3 clownfish, a blue jaw trigger, and a watchman goby. The only coral i have is a leather mushroom coral who responded favorably to the water change. I cleaned my skimmer and changed a filter sock (which i change every third day). I have a thin covering of crushed coral as a substrate and its cleaned during water changes. I have no algea outbreaks, but occasionally have some brown diatoms come and go. Should i continue the water changes or just keep a vigilant eye on the tests for awhile? Thanks ahead of time.

11/30/2015, 03:13 PM	#3
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	I'd keep testing as it appears to me that maybe the 80ppm reading was anomalous. If you do still have problems with nitrates you might consider dosing vinegar. It dropped my nitrates by half over a period of 2 weeks. Here's some good information: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....arine-aquarium __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

11/30/2015, 05:57 PM	#4
hogfanreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 2,117	Was that test done shortly after feeding? Repeat the test first is good advice. If it's accurate I agree carbon dosing is a good choice. __________________ DSA 155,Custom Trigger 42" sump/refugium, MP40 X2, MP 10 X 2, AI Hydra 52 X3, Apex controller, Tunze ATO Current Tank Info: DSA 155 gallon, mixed reef, SPS and wrasse dominant

11/30/2015, 01:33 PM	#2
dumbfireman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Weatherford Texas Posts: 39	Testing data 7-30-15 1.026/79.2C/PH8.2/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate5/alk142/phos.02/calcium500/mag1600 8-15-15 1.026/79.3C/PH8.1/ammonia0.25/nitrite0/nitrate20/alk142/phos.02/calcium500/mag1600 8-28-15 1.026/79.2C/PH8.2/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate5/alk140/phos.00/calcium380/mag1600 9-15-15 1.026/79.3C/PH8.2/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate0/alk144/phos.00/calcium500/mag1600 10-1-15 1.026/79.2C/PH8.0/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate5/alk136/phos.00/calcium500/mag1600 11-1-15 1.024/79.3C/PH8.0/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate10/alk140/phos.00/calcium450/mag1600 11-29-15 1.026/79.3C/PH8.1/ammonia0/nitrite0/nitrate80/alk144/phos.00/calcium500/mag1600 today all the same as yesterday except nitrate read 0.

11/30/2015, 06:15 PM	#5
nuttyd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Coral Gables Posts: 520	Considered a fuge to control nitrates and allow more feeding?

12/01/2015, 02:37 PM	#6
dumbfireman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Weatherford Texas Posts: 39	Thanks guys, The feeding for the day wasnt done until later that night. It had been about 12-13 hours since the last food was added, it was frozen and a small amount. I have been doing a lot of thinking and am wondering if maybe one of the filter socks i replaced hadnt been completely cleaned before being replaced. I have tested a few more times since then and still am getting a nitrate reading of 0ppm. I have also been considering adding another filtration component before i add some more livestock. I go back and forth with the refugium idea, i have alot of space under the stand and it would be easy access for maintenance. I have also read about the carbon dosing methods being used, it seems to have its own advantages. With all the options on the table i havnt been able to commit.

12/01/2015, 02:51 PM	#7
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	IMO, to get the best accurate test reading is to do it at the same time of the day. Just double check and make sure your test kits are not expired.