Nitrates = 250+
- Thread starter FREAKABHISHEK
- Start date
FREAKABHISHEK
New member
i am using a red sea test kit
Young Frankenstein
New member
Good God lower them to at least 20-50, yeah all fish look OK but they are like a non smoker stuck in a chimney with the fire blasting 
FREAKABHISHEK
New member
thanks
i will follow what u have advised me
i will follow what u have advised me
wooden_reefer
New member
wet-dry filter is so oxygenated that denitrification does not take place. You need a separate place for denitrification.
Your DSB is not working, not at all or too small or not well enough.
Even in the old-old days of undergravel filter with several inches of crushed coral (don't laugh), there are still dead pockets here and there for some denitrification.
Your DSB is not working, not at all or too small or not well enough.
Even in the old-old days of undergravel filter with several inches of crushed coral (don't laugh), there are still dead pockets here and there for some denitrification.
Young Frankenstein
New member
Did you ever use copper to treat sick fish in your fish tank ? because if you did that would contaminate all rock sand etc.
newrossman
New member
HI,
250 is high but I agree dropping it too quick may cause more problems.
I do thing the nitrate levels race is abit too much, all tanks are closed systems and so to expect and chase the below 1ppm is something alot of us cant get too. Or have the time or money too.
If the fish are acting fine and feeding then dont worry to much.
It's different if you have a few $1000 of coral in tank, but spending your time checking levels every day it just crazy. If you have had your tank for over 6months you can spend 5 mins in morning and you can tell if all is ok.
But for people who like to spend their time doing chemistry tests I guess it's fine for them but I keep fish to enjoy not saltwater to test.
IMO this testing has just gone too far and is a money making game or a hobby to brag to your friends. Mines smaller than yours. HEAT will kill your fish alot quicker than No3
Ande
250 is high but I agree dropping it too quick may cause more problems.
I do thing the nitrate levels race is abit too much, all tanks are closed systems and so to expect and chase the below 1ppm is something alot of us cant get too. Or have the time or money too.
If the fish are acting fine and feeding then dont worry to much.
It's different if you have a few $1000 of coral in tank, but spending your time checking levels every day it just crazy. If you have had your tank for over 6months you can spend 5 mins in morning and you can tell if all is ok.
But for people who like to spend their time doing chemistry tests I guess it's fine for them but I keep fish to enjoy not saltwater to test.
IMO this testing has just gone too far and is a money making game or a hobby to brag to your friends. Mines smaller than yours. HEAT will kill your fish alot quicker than No3
Ande
FREAKABHISHEK
New member
no i have never used copper in the tank
and i have done a 50 % water change but still its 250
and i have done a 50 % water change but still its 250
FREAKABHISHEK
New member
i use tap water
Jeremy Blaze
Former Reef Addict
That could have something to do with it. Get your tap water tested. You will probably want to switch to RO water.
With regard to your nitrate kit being maxed out, you can dilute your sample 1:1 or 2:1 etc with distilled water till you get a reading that is within the range of your kit, then multiply that reading by your dilution factor to get your actual levels. This way you can get a baseline to see what measures are working.
racecaraz
New member
Could definitely be the tap water, I can't remember the exact amounts but mine had a huge amount when I tested it directly from the faucet. It the tap water is a source for nitrates then water changes are not helping your trouble. Take water straight from the tap to LFS and have tested for nitrates. Either way you should definitely use RO water.
