Nitrate Issue, some guidance appreciated.

[dumbfireman]

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.:beer:

 

[dumbfireman]

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]

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...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

 

[hogfanreefer]

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]

Considered a fuge to control nitrates and allow more feeding?

 

[dumbfireman]

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]

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.