Nitrate Problems

[Raland271]

How can I get rid of high nitrate levels in my tank? I have already purchased and installed a protein skimmer, also we use RO water. I have already completed several water changes and nothing seems to help. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[drummereef]

Need more information about your tank... What type of filtration do you use? Do you have bio-balls, filter floss, sponges, etc...?

 

[t5Nitro]

What was said above, if you have any types of filters like that it could be a problem. They are not a problem if you keep up with maintanence and clean them regularly.

 

[ruarox]

feed fish less, add a deep sand bed or refugium .water changes will only dilute nitrates in your tank also my test kit said 40-60 for nitrates and lfs tested my water and nitrateswere almost 0

 

[Shagsbeard]

RO water is good, but RO/DI is better. But that's not your problem.

Nitrates can accumulate in a tank because the natural way to process nitrate is unsightly. You need to grow plants... they use the nitrate to grow. When you remove alage from your tank, you remove the trapped nitrogen as well. Growing a ball of cheato in a refegium is a popular strategy.