Nitrate what is a safe level?

[Joshthenosh]

my amonia is 0 nitrite 0 but Nitrate is 25

how bad is this? atm i have npo fish just a clean up crew and a leather coral they all seem quite happy.

I will be doing a weekly 10% water change

 

[DeeJayQuest]

I believe with SW that the recommended maximum is 20, although 0 is more desirable

 

[Fred_J]

It is on the high side for invertebrates and corals. Fish seem to tolerate a higher level. You did not ask about the possible causes, Not using RO/DI water and over feeding.
Fred

 

[graveyardworm]

Soft coral such as leathers will be alright, they tend to like water with a little extra nutrients. Most fish will do just fine. Some LPS corals will be okay, Most SPS coral wouldnt tolerate that high of nitrates. A 10% weekly water change will help to bring that level down, but once you add more livestock you may find that larger water changes will be required. Monitor and adjust your routine accordingly.

 

[Rob Martin]

I've also heard that good protein skimming will reduce nitrate!

 

[Joshthenosh]

cant be over feeding, cause i just gave a few flakes to the shrimps, and im using Ro water skimmer is skimming away, i dont plan on keeping any sps, only softs polyps n 3 fish

 

[Joshthenosh]

i was worried cause my leatehr looked really upset, seems he was just asleep though acause now hes sprouted and looking all happy again

 

[graveyardworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6737575#post6737575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rob Martin
I've also heard that good protein skimming will reduce nitrate!

The protien skimmer doesnt directly remove nitrate it indirectly helps to keep nitrates from building up by removing dissolved organics before they break down into nitrates.

cant be over feeding, cause i just gave a few flakes to the shrimps, and im using Ro water skimmer is skimming away, i dont plan on keeping any sps, only softs polyps n 3 fish

Even so its a good idea to keep your nitrates as low as possible especially when corals are involved.

 

[Joshthenosh]

i will try

 

[graveyardworm]

Sounds like you just set up your tank and the cycle has just ended this would explain the nitrates. Once you get into a routine with water changes and the light stocking that your indicating you shouldnt have a problem. If the leather is constantly expanding/contracting then its trying to tell you that its not happy. Could you post a description of your set up?

 

[IslandCrow]

You may also want to get away from using flake food if it's not too much of a pain. Once I started using frozen and live foods, that really brought my nitrate levels down close to zero. . .along with the protein skimming and water changes I was doing all along.

 

[pro99line]

Mine has been at 20 for 1 year now and has been fine. My tank mainly is softie and lps and they are all doing great. My leather closes up when my temp or alk has changed. Maybe something to look at.

 

[theop]

Remember that leather corals go through a mucous shedding phase which is part of their growth cycle. It is normal for a leather coral to look "bad" and withered for even a few days at a time. Unless the coral starts to lose tissue or becomes discolored or stays retracted for an extended period, it is probably fine.

 

[Joshthenosh]

my set up its a 2 foot 17 glaoon tank i have an ehiem external filter with rophos in it, 2 power heads movings about 2000lph(includes filter) 10 kilos of live rock, a small internal skimmer.
Crush coral substrate ( newbie mistake wish i bought sand bad advice from fish shop)

Light wise at the moment only 1 t8 50/50 lamp, but ive ordered 2 t5s should be here tomorow

 

[graveyardworm]

So you do realize that the CC substrate will collect detritus and add to your nitrates? It doesnt process waste as effectively as a DSB with the proper grain size.

 

[Pandora]

Given the original poster's population, tank size and tank age, a level of 20 is actually quite good. Honestly, I would expect it slightly higher, and it may go higher as the tank ages. This isn't much of a concern given what's in the tank, which I would consider a nano.

 

[Joshthenosh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6738522#post6738522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by graveyardworm
So you do realize that the CC substrate will collect detritus and add to your nitrates? It doesnt process waste as effectively as a DSB with the proper grain size.

Yeah i do realise this and im quite worried about it, thinking about removing it and adding sand whats the best way to do this, i have an idea of easly adding sand but dunno how to get the CC out

 

[graveyardworm]

In such a small tank I would take out the rock and inverts, place them in a couple bucket with water from the tank. Clean out the tank, add the sand, carefully add back about 50% of the original water ( to prevent a sand storm i place a bowl on a plate and slowly pour the water in the bowl), add rock and inverts, top off with fresh mix with identical SG, temp and PH.