Redheadedgypsy
New Member
I have a 60 gallon tank, we did the test and our nitrates (no3) showed 25, so we did a 10 percent water change. Now it still shows 25 on the test. What should we do??
How get my nitrates down?
- Thread starter Redheadedgypsy
- Start date
I have the same basic tank and started to try and tackle high nitrates back in October. I did 10g water change once a week for about 2 months and one every other week thereafter. I also started dosing carbon. I used Red Sea's "NOPOX" and it worked great. Not my nitrates are at a very low level and if I miss a water change it's not the end of the world. There's all kinds of different carbon sources but basically it's a way to increase the population of de-nitrifying bacteria. You have to have a good protein skimmer because that help remove the excess organic matter in the water. For my system (75g total water volume including sump) I stated dosing 1 ml daily for two weeks and jumped up to 2 ml a day after that. Things seem to be running great now and my coral are all bright and happy.
Redheadedgypsy
New Member
Ok thanks for the information
And I slowed down on how much I fed the fish and corals, even skipping a day once in a while. I'd like to say the water changes are what did it but I really, really noticed a decline once I started dosing carbon. On my new schedule, 10g every 2 weeks, my nitrates stay pretty low. I use a Salifert test that's really not all that good. Lighter pink is .25 ppm. Light pink is 1 ppm. Slightly darker pink is 5 ppm. Frankly, I have no idea where my nitrates truly are other than they don't test in the "red" range but are still present in pretty low amounts. And the algae that was a constant source of embarrassment whenever I looked at my tank is gone so I'm all around happy.
Redheadedgypsy
New Member
Any type of carbon?
NO3PO4-X is from Red Sea. You could also use vodka, vinegar, sugar or vitamin C. Vodka or NO3PO4-X would be your best bet. Just be sure you start real slow.
Here's a search result that'll have plenty of info for you.
You could also set up a refugium, a chaeto reactor or an ATS. These would be my preferred method. They will help balance pH and have many other benefits. I run an ATS but due to light issues it's down at the moment and I'm using NO3PO4-X as a temporary stop gap. For a tank your size, a small fuge or chaeto reactor would have the least impact on space and your wallet while giving you good results.
Everything he said. I have a refugium with a protein skimmer, some chaeto in it with a light that is on opposite of my tank lights. I also have a algae reactor going. Just had it for two weeks now. I thinking of doing the vodka dosing if my nitrite # s down.
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I agree I do the same thing
