Nitrate question

[JodiM]

Just checked my water, everything looks good.. but I have a question about Nitrate levels.
Where should it be?
Mine is at about 20ppm- too high?

Besides water changes what can i do to bring it down?
Looking through my tests results from the past, it seems I am getting 20ppm every time I test, even after water changes.


Thanks!!

 

[Sk8r]

Skimmer tuning or improvement, NoPoX, and enough rock. It's not horrid, but it's not good: go for half that.
Do you have/want corals? If so what type?

 

[JodiM]

Skimmer tuning or improvement, NoPoX, and enough rock. It's not horrid, but it's not good: go for half that.
Do you have/want corals? If so what type?

No corals yet: I might down the road.
I take it that number and coral is bad?

 

[thegrun]

Ideally with corals you want it below 10ppm, a little below 5ppm works well for most SPS corals. Fish are much more tolerant of elevated nitrates, but you are likely to be battling hair algae if you don't bring them down a little.

 

[CStrickland]

If it's a new tank I wouldn't worry too much. It takes a few months for the denitrifying bacteria to ramp up. I aim for under 10 but I don't really see a change in anything but my pickier corals if I let them get up over 20 (like I get lazy on maintenance, or my tank sitter overfeeding while I vacation). One thing that can help a lot is avoiding spots in the tank where crud builds up. So if you have filter socks or floss that traps poo, clean them every other day.

It's funny how some tanks are fine with higher nitrates, and some aren't. Even with the same corals. Idk, maybe the coral adapts to what it's used to. If the only issue is the number, don't get too drastic. But if you have algae probs or coral aren't happy, it would be a good place to start fixing things. Also, don't overfeed or keep too many fish in the tank - that makes it much worse.

 

[JodiM]

If it's a new tank I wouldn't worry too much. It takes a few months for the denitrifying bacteria to ramp up. I aim for under 10 but I don't really see a change in anything but my pickier corals if I let them get up over 20 (like I get lazy on maintenance, or my tank sitter overfeeding while I vacation). One thing that can help a lot is avoiding spots in the tank where crud builds up. So if you have filter socks or floss that traps poo, clean them every other day.

It's funny how some tanks are fine with higher nitrates, and some aren't. Even with the same corals. Idk, maybe the coral adapts to what it's used to. If the only issue is the number, don't get too drastic. But if you have algae probs or coral aren't happy, it would be a good place to start fixing things. Also, don't overfeed or keep too many fish in the tank - that makes it much worse.

Yes, that makes sense. I currently only have 2 small clowns and 1 yellowtail damsel, a turbo snail, I had 2 hermit crabs but can't seem to find them lately and a cleaner shrimp. I don't currently have any coral, just some live rock. About 20 pounds of it or so. I have some Prime, is says it can help lower Nitrates. Wondering if I should dose the tank?
Thank you for your input!

 

[JodiM]

Ideally with corals you want it below 10ppm, a little below 5ppm works well for most SPS corals. Fish are much more tolerant of elevated nitrates, but you are likely to be battling hair algae if you don't bring them down a little.

I do think I have some hair algae, starting. Looks like a tiny patch of grass... Could the elevated nitrate have anything to do with why I can't find my hermit crabs?

 

[mcgyvr]

Could the elevated nitrate have anything to do with why I can't find my hermit crabs?

No

 

[CStrickland]

I wouldn't bother with the Prime, it's very useful for buffering ammonia but the nitrate stuff is pretty speculative. How big is your tank? If it's big enough for those fish, it probably needs more than a couple hermit crabs to keep up with algae. I bet the crabs have settled into a nighttime routine - it's fun to use your phone as a red light flashlight to watch the tank. Inverts can't see red so the crabs and pods and worms will carry on their business right in front of you. There's apps called 'astronomy flashlights' that work well for nighttime tank gazing

As a basic starting point I like at least 2/3# of rock per gallon of dt and a snail or crab for every 2-3 gallons of dt. But like if you have one of those giant turbo snails, that would count as more than one; and if you have super light/porous rock that will require fewer poundage to have the same effect etc. etc.

 

[JodiM]

I wouldn't bother with the Prime, it's very useful for buffering ammonia but the nitrate stuff is pretty speculative. How big is your tank? If it's big enough for those fish, it probably needs more than a couple hermit crabs to keep up with algae. I bet the crabs have settled into a nighttime routine - it's fun to use your phone as a red light flashlight to watch the tank. Inverts can't see red so the crabs and pods and worms will carry on their business right in front of you. There's apps called 'astronomy flashlights' that work well for nighttime tank gazing

As a basic starting point I like at least 2/3# of rock per gallon of dt and a snail or crab for every 2-3 gallons of dt. But like if you have one of those giant turbo snails, that would count as more than one; and if you have super light/porous rock that will require fewer poundage to have the same effect etc. etc.

Ok, I won't put prime in. I am going to the store later, I'm going to take some water with me and have them test it also, just to ease my mind.
I have a 36 gallon bow front with a 10 gallon sump.. Probably about 6-7 gallons in the sump.
I am going to pick up some smaller rock today while I am there.
Also thinking about a feeder ring. Even tho I only feed 2 times a day, maybe I am giving too much each time.
Yeah the turbo snail is pretty big imo. Kinda of a monster in the tank lol

 

[JodiM]

No

Ok thanks!