Ok so goal today was to get Nitrate level under control as everything else looking good
So starting out
Salinity 1.024
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15
kH 8
I am doing water changes 5 gallons out, 5 gallons in at a time as I keep my new saltwater in a 44g trash can outside and I need to let it cool before adding it back to my tank (it is HOT outside).
After two 5 gallon changes ( I know, this is really less than the 15% change it appears to be, but since I only have 2 buckets right now, its the best I can do.
Recheck Nitrate after a few hours, Nitrate still 15. This is starting to get annoying.
Did 2 more 5 gallon water changes and waiting for things to settle out before retesting Nitrate. That is something near a 25% water change even with the serial dilutions by doing 5 gallons at a time, I think.
Now I am out of saltwater and need to refill the can with RO/DI water, which takes at least half a day. Then mix in salt, get it right, and start more water changes until nitrate level goes down.
Anyone have a thought on how much water I need to change to get my Nitrates down to optimal level?