Nitrates wont come down????

[gunther13mt]

Ive been in the hobby for about 7 months now. So far my tank is doing amazing all fosh happy and healthy only problem i cant seem to get nitrates to drop to zero been fighting this for a long time now was pretty low around 5ppm but has since shot back up to around 160ppm. Im not sure what to do ivebeen using nitrate blockers and carbon but no luck. Any advice i have yet to add corals for this reason alone my shrimp, snails, and emerald crabs are having no issues neither are my fish.

Please help?

Stats:
Tank size: 55 gallon
Salinity: 1.023
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 160ppm
Ph:8.2
Temp: 78.1-78.4 drops a little at night
Calc: 480

Fish stock:
2 true clowns
2 pajama cardinals
2 watchman goby
1 enginer goby
1 sand shifting sea star
4 emerald crabs
5 turbo snails
4 cleaner shrimp





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[bat21]

What is your water change schedule?

 

[gunther13mt]

20% every two weeks and 50% every 2 months

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[Jeff4777]

Add macro alage to a refugium or anywhere, increase water changes, siphon sand, change mechanical filtration often, add GFO, up water flow, cut down on feedings, dont add more bio load until its under control, check TDS out of rodi, add some prime, more liverock for biological filtration, and maybe use another test kit or have a LFS cross check your findings. Best of luck

 

[gunther13mt]

Was doing 10% every week but was told thats too much

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[heathlindner25]

Bad test kit? When people say 160 PPM, I think API.

 

[gunther13mt]

Its API test kit the LFSlast time i went said the Nitrates were at a safe level nothing to worry about

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[Animagus]

You might want to have your LFS or perhaps a fellow hobbyists test your nitrates just to see if they come up with the same results.

 

[gunther13mt]

Ill have to make a trip to petco again thats my closet LFS.

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[Jeff4777]

You can do much more than 10% weekly if you want. Just match sg and temperature. And yeah with the test kit issue i was thinking you have api too lol

 

[roostertech]

API test kit after 40ppm I can't tell it apart for the life of me. Are you using a cannister filter? Have you tried purigen?

 

[falconut]

Didn't notice if you said it, but are you using rodi water for your top off & changes? Didn't really see what you're using as a filter either. I started with a canister filter & a hang on sand filter & nitrates where impossible to control. Once I switched to a sump with skimmer, I was able to control much better. Filtration makes a big difference.

 

[gunther13mt]

The alge is a result of me,being on leave and having someone watch my tank will treat with chemiclean couple days before next water change.

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[Reeferfourlife]

Api test kit gives false reading. Get salifert or red sea. Also could use more rocks

 

[gunther13mt]

Im using a HOB filter but only running carbon. No skimmer but been thinking of buying on when i get money

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[Jeff4777]

Yeah are you using rodi water?

 

[gunther13mt]

Yes im using RODI water test at 0 with api kit. But spikes when i test it a few olhours after being in tank

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[roostertech]

How often do you change your carbon?

 

[gunther13mt]

Every 3 weeks as the package instruction say to

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[Ogi]

Everything Jeff said plus bio pellets and marine pure or more rock, I dose no px and it reduced my nitrate from 50 down to 1