Having trouble with my nitrates

ambros-8080 · Feb 20, 2024

Having trouble with my nitrates being high and not being able to get them down. I have tested my tap and there isn't any nitrates shown. Also done water changes and vacuumed gravel and it's still high. Any help is appreciated.

JojosReef · Feb 21, 2024

Would need a bit more info on your system. All the details really. Size of tank, age of tank, type of rock/sand, livestock including fish, corals, nems, macros, etc., what you feed, what you dose, etc., etc. Then we can figure out problems/solutions.

drexel · Feb 21, 2024

What’s high and are you experiencing any issues with the current levels?

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DEWreefing · Feb 21, 2024

Use a tablespoon for sugar.

Jimbo327 · Feb 21, 2024

I would take a sample of your water to the LFS, and ask if they can test it for nitrates to confirm the numbers before you jump into problem solving. And are you using tap or RODI water?

laverda · Feb 21, 2024

What is too high? What is to high in one tank may be fine in another, depending on what you are keeping.

pledosophy · Feb 21, 2024

DEWreefing said:

That can be dangerous if he does not run a skimmer, or has a small tank.

We really need more info to help.

turbonut · Feb 21, 2024

What’s your po4? If po4 is low or undetectable then you’re phosphate limited and your nitrate will not come down

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OldReefGuy · Feb 21, 2024

OP used tap water.....I would check that first

OldReefGuy · Feb 21, 2024

Sorry just sa he tested

ambros-8080 · Mar 1, 2024

laverda said:

mollies platies corys and a few shrimp and snails. It's a 55

ambros-8080 · Mar 1, 2024

I usually never have trouble with my nitrates but lately i have been having a hard time keeping them down. I use prime also but looking into getting something that will help get my nitrates down

drexel · Mar 1, 2024

Sounds like freshwater, right?

drexel · Mar 1, 2024

If so, then get some low light plants and let them do the job/work.

Jimbo327 · Mar 1, 2024

Prime does nothing for nitrates. A little carbon dosing will keep nitrates down. 1 shot of vodka for you and 1 for the tank.

turbonut · Mar 1, 2024

ambros-8080 said:

You have still yet to mention what your P04 is

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drexel · Mar 2, 2024

turbonut said:

That’s because it’s freshwater. Read his post about the fish. Cory’s don’t live in saltwater.

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turbonut · Mar 2, 2024

drexel said:

Even so. The nitrogen cycle is the same in fresh as it is in salt. If he’s po4 limited then he’s going to have nitrate issues.

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e34John · Mar 2, 2024

What kind of filtration and maintenance are you doing to the tank? Floating plants will suck up the most nitrates

drexel · Mar 2, 2024

turbonut said:

In regards to fw tanks, I've always found both N & P to be elevated when the tank doesn't have live plants or there's a lack of routine maintenance. The easiest way to set up a great low tech fw tank would be to follow the Walstad method. Live plants and active substrate are what keep it going. And, if the tank is a simple gravel bottom and limited filtration, I doubt there is any nutrient limitations going on. Nitrate will always build up faster in fw tanks if not removed by w/c, plants, filtration, etc...PO4 will rise slowly right behind nitrate.

Having trouble with my nitrates

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