Help!!. High nitrates!!!!

[The55reef]

Ok so I just found out that the water I use for water changes has a nitrate reading of 40ppm (tested with API test kit) I used this water to set up the tank also it's been cycling for about 4 weeks now my ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrates 40ppm. ( maybe alil higher)
Now my question is do I need to restart with rodi? the water I used is ro but nitrates are at 40ppm. Or is there a way to get rid of the nitrates in the ro water before I do my water changes?
Thank in advance.


Current tank info 72 gallon bow front 2 bag crushed coral 2 bags live sand
About 60 pounds of live rock eshopps psk 100 hob skimmer and 2x150 watt my. 1 935 gph power head and 1 30 gph power head 200 watt heater
Currently been running a fluval 305 canister filter but been think about taking it off do to them being nitrate factory.

Any advice tips, tricks are and will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Khazmodain]

If nitrates were getting through the RO unit I'd be concerned other nasties got through. Sorry, but I would restart with fresh RO.

 

[OldReefGuy]

I would let it finish the cycle. Then, do weekly 5% water changes until Nitrates are under check.
The Fluval filter BTW....I would leave it in.
Bad Husbandry is more to blame then canister filters.

 

[anthonys51]

i wouldnt trust an api test kit. plus i would wonder why your tap water came out with 40ppm nitrates , let alone your ro water. i knowmy water here in new york doesnt come out of the tap at 40ppm

 

[The55reef]

Ok so if I leave the canister filter in do you recommend any certain ways of setting it up like what media to run in it? Or should I take all the filters pads out?

 

[mcgyvr]

Curious.. Where did this nitrate water come from?
Thats far above the maximum allowed (10ppm) for any water source I believe.. assuming you live in the US or similar..

 

[The55reef]

I live California and my tap comes out 40ppm nitrates and the ro drinking water you get at the store is 40ppm also.

 

[mcgyvr]

I live California and my tap comes out 40ppm nitrates and the ro drinking water you get at the store is 40ppm also.

Your test kit is WRONG..

 

[anthonys51]

I live California and my tap comes out 40ppm nitrates and the ro drinking water you get at the store is 40ppm also.

I am pretty sure the maximum acceptable levels for safe drinking water is 10ppm. Maybe you should call Erin brockvich


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[ComforablyNumb]

the ro drinking water you get at the store is 40ppm also.

Sorry, but reverse osmosis removes nitrates. There's something wrong here.

 

[Sk8r]

You can use water changes and NoPoX to reduce the nitrate after cycle: not optimum, but at this stage, I'm wondering if your test reading is accurate, and even if it's worse, you've got 4 weeks invested. If it were mine, I'd soldier on and get some NoPoX, but I would NOT add corals until it's down to a respectable level. QT your fish and work on that water quality: above all don't be too quick to put fish in it. They handle higher nitrate than coral does, but they still don't like it.

 

[mcgyvr]

The test kit results are wrong...

Oh.. did someone say test is wrong..

Oh wait... the tests results are incorrect..

Just in case no one said it.. The test results are wrong..

 

[anthonys51]

The test kit results are wrong...

Oh.. did someone say test is wrong..

Oh wait... the tests results are incorrect..

Just in case no one said it.. The test results are wrong..

One question for you.
Do you think the test results are right or wrong lol


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[mcgyvr]

One question for you.
Do you think the test results are right or wrong lol

Not sure why you asked me specifically about this..
But I'll go ahead and be the first to say that the test results are wrong

 

[anthonys51]

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[OldReefGuy]

unless its well water......but even then it is high....just throwing it out there:
Top 4 counties with active and standby
public wells with a nitrate concentration >
45 mg/L (NO3)
Los Angeles (132), Tulare (86), Kern and San
Bernardino (75)

 

[The55reef]

Ok so I should just go ahead do my water change with ro water I've been using maybe ad some prime with it. And by a new test kit?

 

[TokiHacker]

Ok so I should just go ahead do my water change with ro water I've been using maybe ad some prime with it. And by a new test kit?

get a new test kit and don't put anything live in it until you do. (as MCGYVER SAID LOL)

Continue doing little water changes (that cant hurt) and worse case get some nopox too.

 

[marper331]

I've had good results (so I hope) with salifert test kits and they are fairly inexpensive.

 

[tmnigat]

Only Nitrate test kit i've used is red sea and it works well. Much more accurate than the API.