High nitrates, please help...

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jdavenp3

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I just tested my parameters and everything is fine.

PH 8.0
Nitrite-0
Ammonia -.25
Nitrate- THROUGH THE ROOF


What is the deal? I replaced carbon yesterday with my waterchange and took out the stock bioballs because I did not want them to turn into problems later down the road.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
How long had the bioballs been in there? They make up an important part of the cycle once established. What test are you using? When did you test last? What does "Through the roof" mean?
 
Yes, when did you last test? Nitrates don't go sky-high overnight, it's a long-term process.

Best way to get rid of the high nitrate is a series of small but frequent water changes, vacuuming substrate and cleaning filter media (floss/sponges etc.) It's less of a disruption to the tank to do a series of smaller water changes, than one huge one.

Jenn
 
The bioballs had been in there for around 3 months. I heard that they could cause serious problems down the road so I removed them. I normally check 2 weeks, last time I checked it was at 0 now it is at 160ppm

I am using the API master kit.

Edit: The sponges were replaced with the water change yesterday, along with the bioballs...new carbon was added.

I have a 30g tank and did a 5g water change.

How much water changes and how often would you suggest I do them?
 
Also, the tank has been established for around 4 months. I only have 3 chromis at this point with a lot of coral. All polyps are extended and look fine.
 
I think you have a bad test. 0-160 in two weeks is alot. Unless you have something decaying in there.
 
I'm far from a expert on water chemistry, but both the sponges and the bio balls are where much of your bacteria resides. I'd guess removing that much at once caused a problem.
 
How big is the tank? Nitrates can be easily controlled. Bio balls are a horrible source of filtration. They create excessive areas for nitrates to accumulate. Don't know what kind of money you want to spend to fix the problem but you should look into "Aquaripure" filtration system. I run one on both my 90 gallon reef tanks and I have a large amount of fish. I can't say enough about the system WELL worth the money. My nitrates stay under 5ppm and I do very little water changes. AWESOME INVESTMENT!!!!!!!!
 
I have a small 30g JBJ with around 40lbs of rock as my main source of bio filtration.

I replaced the sponges in the thought of not wanting to let food and other matter decay there and replaced them with new sponges.

I have more bioballs that have never been used if that would help.
 
Research the Aquaripure you can gt one for your tank for about 200$s. You will need no other filtration and have zero nitrates. I promise these things are incredible
 
My money says that positive ammonia reading on the API test is wrong. Nitrate may be wrong too. I've seen that happen when the reagents expire, and they seem to have a short shelf life.

I'd get a second opinion with a different set of test kits before doing anything drastic.

Jenn
 
Any particular test that I should look into? Should I go ahead and do a small change?

Is any of my livestock in immediate danger?
 
The filter media is brand new, just put in yesterday...If youre talking about the sponges behind the overflow.
 
I like Seachem (but I'm not crazy about their ammonia test). Others here like Elos and/or Salifert. (Although I tested somebody's water the other day and they were getting a false positive for ammonia with Elos... ).

IMO API is junk. I've seen what you're experiencing, many times. Everything humming along nicely, then the tests imply that there's a huge problem where none exists.

Get your LFS or somebody nearby to check your water with their kit. Even if it is an API if the reagents are fresh you may get different results - although I'd rather see you get a test with a different brand of kit altogether.

Jenn
 
So are u running a sump or hang on filter ?

Edit: I'm assuming you have an overflow box with a wet dry sump with bioballs?
 
It is actually a false type sump, sort of like what the Solana uses. It has dual overflows which filter through the filter floss, carbon, bioballs (removed), then goes up and under baffles and back through dual returns.

I don't guess a water change could hurt, I am just a little irritated because my tank was looking great and I was preparing to add an anemone but there is no way with those parameters.
 
Check the parameters FIRST. No need to do anything drastic until you're sure there's a problem.
 
Jenn, I will be finding me a different kit asap.

How long can I hold water into my car to get it tested? I have class all day tomorrow and it would be sitting in my car all day.

Edit: I will hold off on the water change then, since nothing seems to be disturbed.... I have gotten two different readings from the test since I have started this thread. From 40ppm-160ppm
 
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