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Nitrates too high
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CrimsRayne View Drop Down
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Joined: July 19 2007
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Points: 1815 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CrimsRayne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Nitrates too high
    Posted: June 16 2012 at 1:19pm
So after completely messing up the tank and putting new old rock in the tank.  (it wasn't left out in the air but for a min as I walked it from one tank to another)  I kicked up a bunch of sand and clouded up the tank at least 3 times during the process.  I let it sit for a couple days and then (in a rush and like a total noob) I moved in my fish and corals and even got a few new ones.  They are all happy as far as I can tell, but the nitrates were very high.

I did a 55g water change on the 180g tank and now my nitrates are around 100 and I want to get them down asap.  I have some macro in the display and in one of the glass overflows so it gets light from the MH and PC lighting.  The rocks are growing some basic starter algae on them (the turbo snails are loving that).  Like I said all corals and fish are doing great for now, but if I don't get the nitrates down I could be in a world of trouble.  I found out that my skimmer pump went out and put in a different skimmer but it has a "leak" where the external drain from the cup goes.  (does anyone know where I could get a replacement or should I just hook up a tube and tie it off?)  I need to find my bucket of carbon and get that going too...

So, what more can I do to get the nitrates to come down to a reasonable or 0 level?  I feel like a total noob right now... Embarrassed
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bstuver View Drop Down
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Points: 9386 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bstuver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2012 at 1:37pm
Get the carbon going for sure and I would check the dateon the test kit. Or take the water in to a local store and have them confirm that the nitrates are indeed that high.
Jackie Stuver

"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas?   I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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CrimsRayne View Drop Down
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Points: 1815 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CrimsRayne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2012 at 1:40pm
Thanks, I do need to get a second opinion as the test kits I have are several years old.  I just have to go when I have no money or my hubby with me as I'll probably bring home something otherwise... LOL
"What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer

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bstuver View Drop Down
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Points: 9386 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bstuver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2012 at 1:59pm
Originally posted by CrimsRayne CrimsRayne wrote:

Thanks, I do need to get a second opinion as the test kits I have are several years old.  I just have to go when I have no money or my hubby with me as I'll probably bring home something otherwise... LOL



LOL I know the feeling. If they are a couple years old I know they expire and this might be your problem especially seems everything visually looks fine:)
Jackie Stuver

"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas?   I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2012 at 9:25pm
High Nitrates won't kill any invertebrate right away, but if that pollution level continues for long, things will start to show signs of suffering. Also, if Nitrates are that high then Ammonia and Nitrite can be high too and that's more dangerous for fish.

What I would do to help the tank as soon as possible is get as much algae under as good of light as possible for as many hours per day as possible. When well illuminated, algae eats pollution like crazy. It's better than and easier than a water change.
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