High Nitrate

[saltwaterguy]

I'm currently experience high nitrate readings i did a water change of about 25 percent of my 110 gallon tank and placed three nitrate sponge absorber. Any other tips of lowering my reading before its to late for some of my fish :headache:who already are stressed out and are not eating. Thanks

 

[marrone]

First what are your levels? Fish can take very high nitrates without any problems.

If they're very high you'll need to do a large than 25% water change.

The first thing is you need to list what your system is, like filters, skimmer and such. Part of your Nitrate problem could be from your system setup.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

What is in your tank fish wise?

 

[1UCKY]

Get yourself some Mangroves and place them in your sump if you have one. I had the same issue in my 180 FOWLR and currently have "0" Nitrates!

 

[NYreefNoob]

is 20 mangroves to many on a 50g system . and do a few more water changes.

 

[saltwaterguy]

I have a mega flow model 3 sump also have a cascade filter which i have running carbon and nitrate spone on. I have a 9w coralife u-v sterlizer, have a in sump coralife protein skimmer. The reading that i got was at 80ppm and a above which is nearly deadly.
uote=marrone;400457]First what are your levels? Fish can take very high nitrates without any problems.

If they're very high you'll need to do a large than 25% water change.

The first thing is you need to list what your system is, like filters, skimmer and such. Part of your Nitrate problem could be from your system setup.[/quote]

 

[marrone]

For a fish only tank, that is pretty loaded, 80ppm isn't that high. You need to get a better skimmer and do a larger water change to bring the levels down. Also check in the tank for for uneaten food or areas where waste is collecting.

Also in the sump, beside the skimmer what else do you have, things like bio balls and filter pads. these could be adding to you nitrates

 

[saltwaterguy]

ill try doing more water changes and you think thats to many fish for a 110 gallon. And i think that one of the problems the uneaten food fish decaying. The skimmer i though was pretty good it was recommended for up to 200+ gallons. Thanks for the advice

For a fish only tank, that is pretty loaded, 80ppm isn't that high. You need to get a better skimmer and do a larger water change to bring the levels down. Also check in the tank for for uneaten food or areas where waste is collecting.

 

[saltwaterguy]

oh i forgot i have bio balls how often do you replace those and nothing else in the skimmer i have filter pads in the cascade filet

For a fish only tank, that is pretty loaded, 80ppm isn't that high. You need to get a better skimmer and do a larger water change to bring the levels down. Also check in the tank for for uneaten food or areas where waste is collecting.

Also in the sump, beside the skimmer what else do you have, things like bio balls and filter pads. these could be adding to you nitrates

 

[saltwaterguy]

Sorry what excatly are mangroves and where can i purchase them i never heard of those. And how many will i need for a 110g tank. Thanks for the help

Get yourself some Mangroves and place them in your sump if you have one. I had the same issue in my 180 FOWLR and currently have "0" Nitrates!

 

[marrone]

Bio balls an filter pads are things that trap waste and turn into nitrate factories. For a FO that it's not a big problem, as you need the additional biological filtration to keep up with the load.

what you want to do it make sure you clean out the filter pads often. You can slowly replace the Bio balls with either Live Rock or altogether, just make sure you do it slowly and that you have something else for biological filtration.

As for the skimmer that you're using, well it's not good enough for that size tank or the load you have. You need to up grade to a better skimmer.

 

[1UCKY]

Sorry what excatly are mangroves and where can i purchase them i never heard of those. And how many will i need for a 110g tank. Thanks for the help

Mangroves is a plant that feeds on Nitrates and Phosphates. You can get them online or if you're lucky, some LFS have them for sale. I got mine online.

 

[1UCKY]

Bio balls an filter pads are things that trap waste and turn into nitrate factories.

Absolutely true! I removed all my bio balls out of my sump and replaced them with live rock. You have to remove them a little at a time though.

 

[h20 freak]

80 ppm?!?!:bigeyes:

FO or not, thats way to high, do you have any macro in your fuge(or mangrove)How about a DSB?