Can't reduce Nitrate levels

[drew1]

I know I'm a little late getting in on this but as stated earlier 20 isn't bad for fish only. Also, doing two 15% water changes you can't expect a huge drop. I just brought my nitrates from 160++ to about 20 and I'm happy now. It's now a matter of keeping up with the changes and trying to slowly get it lower. I've also added something like Bio-gen to my filter to try to absorb some of the ntrates but haven't noticed much change. Really it was just water changes and cleaning out some of the old gunk. New fish should be able to handle nitrates of 20 as long as they are aclimated slowly. Much higher and I'd be concerned about adding livestock. But the answer really is water changes.

 

[Mavrk]

I use the same API test kit. Read your instruction booklet on the nitrate test section. If I remember correctly you need to divide the reading number by 4.? something to get the correct reading. So if you reading says 20 your actual nitrate level is like 5. API tests are different than a lot of kits in how they are measured.

You must be thinking of a different test kit:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/downloads/Nitrate%20Test%20Directions.pdf

 

[Chris27]

I'm going to jump on the substrate bandwagon - 3-4" of crushed coral and sand is a good target as to the source of the nitrate and your inability to get down to 0. The substrate is very porous (crushed coral part) which does a fantastic job of trapping detritus, and of an intermediate depth (3-4").

Ideally you either want a very deep >5-6" or very shallow <1-2" bed. Depths in the middle of that tend to build up nutrients given the course media and inability to provide an oxygen free environment for the anaerobic bacteria to thrive.

 

[IkeG]

Why don't you try running a nitrate reactor.

I've had a lot of great success with it.

2 Chambers, 1 Sulfur 1 ARM media to neutralize the effect.

Once everything returns to the tank it's all safe enough to drink.

Many years later lol. I just started a DIY reactor with two chambers, it's been a week and my NO3 is down to 2ppm from a plateau of 16ppm. I just don't have the equipment to do more than 30 gal of water changes at a time on my 90 gal system , and quite frankly the salt gets expensive to battle NO3. Sulfur reactor is the way to go, I'm unsure why this method isn't popular and practiced. It's incredible, just watch for NO2 while cycling or bumping up the flow.

By the way, you may get some suggestions about vodka dosing. While this works, it should only be done after researching everything about it. Personally, I have never dosed vodka.

@MarkV: I use only RO/DI water, and a 3-4 inch layer of crushed coral & sand. I have a fair amount of algae. I wouldn't say it's a lot.

I'm not too familiar with DSB and would like to try that route, but I dont know if my mix of coral & sand is fine enough.

To do an effective water change is it necessary to vacuum the gravel or is simply replacing water off the top of the column enough?

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[Mark9]

You've replied to a 6 year old thread.
Hopefully he's solved his nitrate issue by now.

 

[JammyBirch]

You've replied to a 6 year old thread.
Hopefully he's solved his nitrate issue by now.

lol

 

[IkeG]

lol

Nobody has brought up sulfur reactors in years. He'll the suggested brands don't exist anymore lol.

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