question on high nitrate

[JC1]

best way to lower it and keep it low every thing else is ok PH 8.3 Ammonia 0.0 Phosphate 0.1 Nitrate .20 Calcium 420 but the nitrate is always around .20 how can I get that down to zero

 

[bertoni]

Nitrate at 0.20 ppm should be okay for most anything, I think, but a bit of macroalgae might drop that level, if you have an area to grow some.

 

[jun_celis]

Water changes really works! I mean a big one. Here's my scenario. Two weeks ago, I needed to move my tank 5 feet to the side of my house. So, I asked for some advice here in RC on what to do. Majority says, after I drain the old water, put half of it back and half with newly mixed water. Before the move, my nitrate was hitting 20's. But after the big water change, I'm down to "2". Not bad, huh! BTW, I did about 75% newly mixed SW instead of the 50%. Best move I've ever done.

 

[johnvu713]

water change in most case is a quick fix. Find the source of your nitrate and eliminate that. Your rock can leach P04 and nitrate. Check your water source as well

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There are lotsof wats to reduce nitrate. My preference is to use skimming and growing macroalgae, but this article describes many others:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm


Water changes are not usually a good long term solution. I discuss that in this article:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php