Set up a refuge on 5/29. It is supplied low flow from my 16 watt UV sterilizer. Chateo was added at the same time. The fuge has a 60 watt grow light bulb that runs 12 hrs when the tank lights are off. I have had "O" growth in my Chateo but my Nitrate still tests in around 20 to 30 ppm. I also run cheap Pet$@ brand carbon in my little fishes reactor. Ideas, comments and opinions like always are welcomed and extremely encouraged! Thanks in advance, H
Nitrate question(s)
- Thread starter capthutch
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cj22009
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I don't think the uv would raise your nitrates that much. I am thinking its the api test kit giving you false readings. Considering you are doing water changes and have cheato. I would take a water sample to LFS and have it tested if possible.
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Ok, did yet another 10 gal change today. (10 gal on the 1st and 10 gal today) Added a 700 powerhead to the fuge (someone felt that the Chaeto needed higher flow) waited an hr and checked Nitrates 40 ppm, Nitrites 0, PH 8%, Ammonia 0%, i'm at a loss.
Have you checked the water your using for your water change? Are you making a big batch and storing them for later use or are you making them up as you use them? What's the TDS on your ro/di unit if you have one. If your doing all these water changes and your nitrates are climbing, then it could only be your water your using on your water change. Is there anything dead in your tank you don't know about? Also, I don't think cheap carbon will do any harm to your tank. Carbon is carbon, they all do pretty much the same thing. Some just have more dust then others and also the shape makes a difference but that's about it.
Tested close to same at FS. Batches are made the day of, circulated and heated for a min of 5 to 6 hrs. Salinity mix. I have a small (2 inch) fairy wrasse that's been missing in action since Sun but my ammonia is testing 0! New RODI filters and test water is "0"
Carbon (cheap or otherwise) won't lower nitrate. Cheap carbon can lead to higher phosphates though.
Unless you're dumping copious amounts of food into the tank, it's doubtful that with your water change schedule, that the nitrates should be that high. No growth in the Chaetomorpha despite the "presence of nitrate" tells me something as well.
Get your water tested with a better test kit and see if you're fretting over nothing.
Jenn
Unless you're dumping copious amounts of food into the tank, it's doubtful that with your water change schedule, that the nitrates should be that high. No growth in the Chaetomorpha despite the "presence of nitrate" tells me something as well.
Get your water tested with a better test kit and see if you're fretting over nothing.
Jenn
I am with Jenn. I think it is the test kit. I didn't listen all those times she told me to dump the API until I started getting false readings. I am not saying it is certain but I would sure rule out the test kit by having a sample tested before I dump lots of money and time in fixing a problem that isn't there. On top of that, fixing a non-existent problem may actually cause much bigger problems.
Having said all that, if the wrasse died and is decomposing it could be the cause. If you have a good colony of bacteria you may not see ammonia and nitrite spike but nitrates would climb. But I really don't think that is the case here.
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Having said all that, if the wrasse died and is decomposing it could be the cause. If you have a good colony of bacteria you may not see ammonia and nitrite spike but nitrates would climb. But I really don't think that is the case here.
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