nitrate woes

[btodd43]

Had the Fastest kit when I first started up my tank,and hadn't been testing for trates as I have been doing 25% water changes per week, Then bought a Salifert kit and tested---- whoa up to at least 50ppm, I read that if your trates are above 40 it can reak havoc with your MG and Alk? and bring them down . Is this true? I have never been able to get my MG and Alk up to the proper levels so I think the high nitrates woud be the culprit. Just water changes to bring them down correct? And what level should we shoot for (or stay under) Thanks
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Two and a Half Men Forum

 

[bleedingthought]

How much of a bioload do you have? It really seems far fetched that your nitrates would be that high if you do a 25% weekly WC.

 

[btodd43]

1 damsel,YWG/tiger shrimp combo,4 small hermits,2 bumble bee snails, 2 margarita snails.
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Mercedes Benz R Class

 

[bleedingthought]

I would make sure your testkit isn't messed up somehow. Try taking a sample of water into different LFSs.