High Nitrates in Store-Bought Saltwater

[Nacnud]

Just a word to those folks that may be having elevated nitrate levels. After measuring 10 to 20 mg/l levels of Nitrate in my 2 month old 24 gal Nanocube and having no luck lowering the concentration, I decided to test the saltwater I buy from my local aquarium shop. I found the Nitrate level to be 10mg/l in the shop-bought saltwater! No wonder I could never lower the concentration with regular water changes.

After this episode and loosing two clownfish that were likely sick to start with, and a star polyp coral, I have since found a new dealer to purchase my saltwater.

I still love my aquarium. I have only one fish at this point, a fire-tail goby named Gobbles, 30 lbs live rock, 30 lbs live sand, 4 very mean hermit crabs, and two remaining lazy snails (one late crab killed and ate two turbo snails). I am waiting on adding corals and more fish until I am sure I have my water issues resolved.

Nacnud

[Gina]

Thanks for the heads up on that. Looks like we should test any NSW before adding it to our tanks!
We use IO but, I know several members purchase NSW.

[Witfull]

store water should always be tested, they dont always keep up on RO cartridge changes.

[Vanquish]

Originally Posted by Witfull

store water should always be tested, they dont always keep up on RO cartridge changes.

Agreed... if you're fighting nitrates, should always measure the water you use for water change, else it becomes a vicious cycle... you keep changing water, but the nitrates still up...