View Full Version : Nitrate Issue
Lawman5014
03/27/2013, 11:46 AM
I've got a 28 gallon bullet cardiff tank (established for 10 months) with protein skimmer and filter pad. Lots of good looking purple live rock. I do an approximate 5 gallon water change (RO water with Reef Crystals) about every weekend. The Angel of Death visited my tank 2 months ago and for some reason I lost 3 fish in about 3 days - did a major 50% water change then and the death stopped. I'm currently down to about 2 fish plus one cleaner shrimp and a bunch of snails/crabs.
Before the death happened, I couldn't get my Nitrates below 20ppm no matter what I tried or did. Even after a very thorough cleaning of the plumping etc in the back of the tank. Now, several months after the death - I still can't get them below 20 ppm. I've been looking at several options (nitrate remover liquids, pads, mesh bags filled with stuff, etc) on drfostersmith's website but have no idea which to go with.
Any suggestions on what to do to lower nitrates or any clue on why I can't get my nitrates lower than 20ppm - I would appreciate greatly.
MiracleFish
03/27/2013, 11:53 AM
To be honest I don't think it was your Nitrates that caused the problem of this death raid. It may have been from you trying to remove the nitrates too fast. However, my tank has about 20 ppm also and all my corals, inverts, and one clown fish are doing just fine
Edit: How are your pH levels? Do you add buffer to your ato water?
Lawman5014
03/27/2013, 12:18 PM
I didn't think my nitrates were linked to the deaths. It was something unusual that I have no clue what it was linked to. But after that big water change it seemed to stop completely.
Currently, the only thing I'm doing to reduce nitrates is ensuring that I don't over feed, do my weekly water changes and cleaning out the skimmer and filter pad. I've got two nano sized power heads (one for behind the rocks on the back wall) plus the normal pump in the tank so my flow is good and stuff shouldn't be settling in dead spots causing more nitrates.
My PH is right at 8.2. I've got good alkalinity levels as well. I use Kent's Super Buffer DKH to raise my PH when it drops a little. I test all my levels every week as well (and journal them). My ph has been pretty stable around the 8.1/8.2/8.3 area for a long time with only minor changes.
I just wanted to get my tank levels perfect before I invested in corals finally. I want to get my Nitrates down to 5 ppm or less before I do that. But maybe I'm crazy and that isn't necessary.
wonderz
03/27/2013, 12:45 PM
What skimmer do you have? You might need to upgrade to a bigger one. Or do you have a refugium? Have one with marcoalgae will help.
Paul B
03/27/2013, 12:48 PM
My nitrates are more than double what yours are and almost all my fish are spawning, some are 19 years old and I have SPS growing all over the place, your nitrates did not kill your fish.
MiracleFish
03/27/2013, 05:03 PM
As soon as I unhooked my Fluval 204 and hung on a Refugium, my nitrates dropped from 40 ppm to 20ppm. So if you don't have one already, I highly recommend making/buying a refugium.
Lawman5014
03/27/2013, 07:37 PM
Yeah - I don't have a refugium and know I need one. My tank is rimless and honestly I don't even know how I'd make even a hang on refugium work. :sad1:
MiracleFish
03/27/2013, 07:45 PM
just hangs on, as simple as it sounds. Same concept except on the back. Any Hang on filters can be modded into a fuge, easily an AquaClear such as my own http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2269293
tracyclifton
03/27/2013, 08:51 PM
You may want to research vodka dosing. I found a great article that described it in detail. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php Mine were only in the 5-10ppm range but I got them back to zero in a few weeks. I'm still dosing and my nitrates are always less than 5ppm regardless of feeding. It may not be the best solution for everyone. Good luck.
SushiGirl
03/27/2013, 10:03 PM
20 is not a death sentence for a tank.
If you want to reduce them, do bigger water changes.
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