Nitrates

[duke62]

so i am going through some type of nitrate spike.i added around 2 to 3 lbs of rock that i bleeched put in the oven at 425 for 2 hrs then let it cycle in a bucket with powerhead in the dark.i checked the ammonia before i put it in fuge and no sign of ammonia.now 2 days later nitrates are 20ppm.i did a 5 gal water change yesterday and a 2 1/2 water change today and changed the carbon with no drop.now i dont know if that is the exact cause but my guess it is.i have a 30gal with a 10gal sump and 2 gal fuge.should i remove that rock i added to fuge do another 5gal water change tomorrow or just keep 5 gal water change everyday till it goes away.i have a phosban reactor so i dont believe phophates are high but i will check tomorrow.im tired right now.

 

[masterswimmer]

Why did you put it in the oven for 2 hrs?

 

[duke62]

i was told to.plus im in wrong forum i meant to go to general.SORRY

 

[MikeyZO]

20ppm isnt too bad. My tank has been around 20 since it cycled.

 

[duke62]

Yeah But Im Used To Perfect Parameters And I Want To Keep It That Way.so Any Suggestions.mayne Leave Fuge Light Off

 

[MikeyZO]

If the spike isnt directly affecting anything, I would let the system run its course. You just added it, and it spiked. The system should cycle it and the nitrates should come back down on their own. I would leave it be and just watch the levels. If they start to rise, then do a wc, if not, let it finish and it should come back down. If youre really that worried about it you could try something like Pura's Nitratelock or something similar.

 

[duke62]

I Dont Like To Add Any Chemicals In My System So Ill Try Another Water Change Tomorrow.5 Gal Then Ill Let It Go Till Sunday If Still High Ill Do A 10 To 15 Gal Change.

 

[meschaefer]

Honestly, 20ppm is not something I would worry about. The system will correct itself.

 

[MikeyZO]

Honestly, 20ppm is not something I would worry about. The system will correct itself.

I agree... btw, nitratelock isnt really a chemical addative. Its a resin in a bag that absorbes nitrates, basically the same idea as putting chemipure bags in as carbon or phosban in the cloth bag they supply instead of a reactor.

 

[duke62]

ahhhh back to perfect parameters.i know 20ppm is not that high but im kind of conceited when it comes to my parameters.i brag on how my par are always perfect and when something like that happens i get nervous.its my pet peeve in this hobby

 

[MikeyZO]

lol good, now come show me how to get mine down from 20. :lol2: