hansnfrans
New member
How sensitive are fish to high nitrate levels between 80ppm and 160ppm ?
Nitrates
- Thread starter hansnfrans
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tweety69711
New member
high nitrates are not good for fish... but with high nitrates.. i would check nitrites too..
Doubledown
Active member
If I remember correctly, higher nitrates are worse for corals and inverts (except clams, they use nitrates as a source of energy) than they are for fish.
That said, I would recommend increasing the frequency of your water changes (like do one today) to reduce those #s and making sure your skimmer is functioning well to maintain a lower level. On a fish only system, I would shoot for a level 20 ppm or under.
What test kit are you using and how old is it?
That said, I would recommend increasing the frequency of your water changes (like do one today) to reduce those #s and making sure your skimmer is functioning well to maintain a lower level. On a fish only system, I would shoot for a level 20 ppm or under.
What test kit are you using and how old is it?
hansnfrans
New member
No nitrites or ammonia. Test kit is those liquid and vial kits. Skimmer is working very well.
Doubledown
Active member
Is this your predator tank? If so, keep up the water changes.
Are you using live rock for filtration or do you run a wet/dry? Without a source for anaerobic bacterial breakdown of nitrates (live rock), you will end the cycle with nitrate. Best way to remove it in this case would be waterchanges.
Are you using live rock for filtration or do you run a wet/dry? Without a source for anaerobic bacterial breakdown of nitrates (live rock), you will end the cycle with nitrate. Best way to remove it in this case would be waterchanges.
Douglas LEHMAN
Premium Member
Hello
I'd guess hes using a Doc Well fish (aquarium pharmaceuticals) test kit, RED is BAD!!!
I'd guess hes using a Doc Well fish (aquarium pharmaceuticals) test kit, RED is BAD!!!
hansnfrans
New member
This is my predator tank. My fish are still in the 55 and haven't made the move to the 120 yet. There's only about 60lbs of LR in there right now, but I have another 50-80lbs that is sitting in my other tanks and I plan to add that once I have the 120 runnin' by this weekend. 
yep Doug, it's red allright. What I really need is a link to an actual diagram of the remote deep sand bed. I've read how to do it, but I've yet to see a diagram of it. It sounds like that'll help my situation immensely. Anyone got a link??
yep Doug, it's red allright. What I really need is a link to an actual diagram of the remote deep sand bed. I've read how to do it, but I've yet to see a diagram of it. It sounds like that'll help my situation immensely. Anyone got a link??
examiner
New member
Nitrates are not nearly as harmful to fish as to corals....really, if you can keep it below 100 and stable, your fish will adapt nicely. It's always going to be a struggle given the nature of your tank - lots of meaty food input, lots of fish poop output.
IMO, the most effective way to deal w/ nitrate in a fish only tank is large, frequent water changes. People did this succesfully for years when wet/dry filters were in vogue.
Are you concerned because your fish are showing signs of distress, or are you concerned because your test is showing "red"? If it's the former, by all means try to reduce the levels. If it's the latter, maybe it's just time to do a few water changes, keep up a schedule, and enjoy the tank. Good luck.
IMO, the most effective way to deal w/ nitrate in a fish only tank is large, frequent water changes. People did this succesfully for years when wet/dry filters were in vogue.
Are you concerned because your fish are showing signs of distress, or are you concerned because your test is showing "red"? If it's the former, by all means try to reduce the levels. If it's the latter, maybe it's just time to do a few water changes, keep up a schedule, and enjoy the tank. Good luck.
Douglas LEHMAN
Premium Member
Hello
To be of any use for NO3 reduction a remote plenum with (4"+ sand CC) will need to be about 2/3 (floor space) of the main aquarium. After wrestling with the same problem (NO3 at 10 ppm+) on my 75 gallon aquarium I added a 40 breeder with a plenum (more frags) and watched the nitrates drop (8 weeks) to a clear yellow (0?)!!! and all is well...
ps Now for Bubba's aquarium thats another story...
To be of any use for NO3 reduction a remote plenum with (4"+ sand CC) will need to be about 2/3 (floor space) of the main aquarium. After wrestling with the same problem (NO3 at 10 ppm+) on my 75 gallon aquarium I added a 40 breeder with a plenum (more frags) and watched the nitrates drop (8 weeks) to a clear yellow (0?)!!! and all is well...
ps Now for Bubba's aquarium thats another story...
hansnfrans
New member
The fish are definately showing signs of distress, the eel is lookin' for a way out of the tank and the grouper is constantly yawning. Kinda funny, whenever the grouper yawns it makes me yawn. Last time I had a big nitrate problem, my whitemouth moray jumped out of the tank and ended up dyin' 
.
Doug, since I didn't add any sand to the 120gal yet, I would be interested in seeing a diagram/link to diagram for this plenum. I have heard negative things about plenums but I can't remember what they were. I think it was related to disturbing the plenum, and that that would cause problems.?.? Is it okay to add the plenum directly to the 120 or will the eels/grouper/toadfish disrupt it too much.
Also, in order to get that 4"+ sandbed in the 120gal, could I just use Kolorscape silica based sand? Will the LR in the tank provide enough buffering for the pH of the water? I can't find any southdown sand and I'll be damned if I am going to give the aquarium sand companies $100 for their sand.
.Doug, since I didn't add any sand to the 120gal yet, I would be interested in seeing a diagram/link to diagram for this plenum. I have heard negative things about plenums but I can't remember what they were. I think it was related to disturbing the plenum, and that that would cause problems.?.? Is it okay to add the plenum directly to the 120 or will the eels/grouper/toadfish disrupt it too much.
Also, in order to get that 4"+ sandbed in the 120gal, could I just use Kolorscape silica based sand? Will the LR in the tank provide enough buffering for the pH of the water? I can't find any southdown sand and I'll be damned if I am going to give the aquarium sand companies $100 for their sand.
Douglas LEHMAN
Premium Member
Hello
Sorry to say it'll take more than $100.00...
I'd recomend Carib Sea crushed coral...
You'll need about 7 - 40 lb bags...
48"x24"x4" deep =4608 x .06 =276 pounds...
Sorry to say it'll take more than $100.00...
I'd recomend Carib Sea crushed coral...
You'll need about 7 - 40 lb bags...
48"x24"x4" deep =4608 x .06 =276 pounds...
TheCoralReef731
New member
I got some sand from petco. Oolitic arag sand, $10 for ~10-15 pounds.
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