Nitrate Levels

[erikbraucht]

I have a 24 gal Aquapod, fission nano skimmer, 30 pounds LR and 40 pounds of sand. I also have activated carbon. The live rock was already cycled at the LFS and I was given water out of the same system. The only living things besides what cam in the sand and rock is two pieces of zooantthium mushrooms or whatever. I feel now that I put these in too early. I have only had my tank set up a week. I did remove my sponge last nite because I was told to get rid of it.

My amonia is 0, Nitrites 0, PH is 8.2. My Nitrates are way out of proportion at 160. Is this part of a normal cycle? Everything else has come into check except for the nitrates. What do I do?

[slakker]

Wait... and maybe some water changes... the system will come into balance, but may take more than a week...

[Dentoid]

Nitrates are the end product of nitrification. The only way to get rid of them at this early stage of your reef is with water changes. Once your tank is mature with adequate LR, LS and chemical stability the anaerobic bacteria will start to flourish and the denitrification process with take off to help remove nitrates.

If you do a 50% WC your nitrates will be 80, then another 50% change they will be 40. Each 50% WC you do will cut them in half. Remember, the solution to pollution is dilution!

[djbacon]

I refer all issues like this to Prow's newbie post - read it, then read it again - It will really help you with whats going on in your tank.

Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank.

Cheers !!

[erikbraucht]

Should I do 50% all at once? It will not mess with the other readings?

[Dentoid]

Yes, it's the fastest way to get the nitrates down. Just make sure the WC water is similar in pH, salinity and temperature. I would withhold putting any living thing into the tank until you get the nitrates down.

[slakker]

If all you got is the 'shrooms the 50% is all right... maybe even more...

[erikbraucht]

How do I make sure the PH is the same in the water change?

[djbacon]

just use the same mix - you should be fine - are you testing for PH yet? thats about the only thing I would suggest a cheap tetra kit for -

6.99 any LFS should have it.

[Dentoid]

First test with your pH test kit. Newly mixed saltwater with RO/DI H2O and a commercial salt mix should already be near the ideal pH. You should be maintaining your tanks pH at the ideal level. If your tank is not at the ideal pH, you should work on bringing it to the ideal pH, which is 8.3-8.4, then your saltwater mix should be close.

[erikbraucht]

My PH is about 8.4. My nitrites are 0 my amonia is 0. My Nitrates are the only thing out of wack. I read the post for newbies but it got really confusing. Any simple answer on the reason and how to avoid in the future?

All I have in the tank is Zoo mushrooms. Could this be doing it?

[lcstorc]

The way to avoid it in the future is by a combination of things.
Use RO/DI water for all top-offs and water changes.
Give the bacteria in the LR a chance to build up after any addition to the tank.
Keep the bio-load low.
Keep feedings low and rinse all food in RO/DI water before feeding.
Remove any bio-balls or ceramic rings.
Keep all sponges and manual filtration very clean.
Test often and do water changes on a regular basis.

[glampka]

Have your lfs test your water - you could have a bad test kit. Here's a great method for quickly lowering nitrate or any other contaminant levels.

An Instant Nitrate Reduction Method - A Multiple Step Water Change Procedure