High no3

[newbiereefer7]

Hi I done a water test today and my no3 levels are reading 30ppm, is this too high ? I have read that people have higher levels but others state it must be 0. Im getting a delivery of corals tomorow and want to know what I should do? Thanks

 

[ghostman]

30ppm is high for corals, especially sensitive SPS. I would do a large water change to get rid of some nitrate, as well as a general sump cleaning. Try and identify the source of the high nitrates such as over feeding, cleaning filter pads, infrequent water changes, too big of a bio load, etc.

 

[newbiereefer7]

I think its infrequent water changes. I dont have a sump I have rear chambers with skimmer and filter media (filter wool, ammonia bag and carbon bag) which I have changed today only thing is I dont have saltwater yet to do water change. Also I think I may be feeding too much

 

[MinnFish]

Water changes are important. The main reason is exporting nitrates and phosphate. Secondly, replacement of valuable trace elements. I do 20% weekly, only because I run no skimmer and sumpless. I keep the nitrate down with minimum bioload, light feeding 3x daily. Just check NO3, it reading 5. Alittle too high for me, I will be doing a change in 3 days.

 

[newbiereefer7]

Im doing a water change today to get them down, I do water changes but every 2-3 weeks not weekly.