Super high nitrates!

[Markclaster]

So when I checked my water the other day, my phosphates were really high. Like maybe 2. Hard to tell on the test if it was 1 or 2. My nitrates were well over 20. Maybe even 40. So I did a 15% WC. Phosphates were down to .25 but nitrates were spiked way up to 80! After the WC the corals started perking up some but I haven’t checked today yet as lights don’t come on till 1.
Ph 8
Kh 11
Cal 450
Mag 1350

Another 15% WC? I’m afraid to do a huge WC for fear of shocking anything.

Suggestions?

 

[hzheng33]

gfo. just be careful with it as it may strip too much nitrate. but when everything fails, gfo+wc will take care of you.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Firstly, I’d say to take a deep breath. Everything is going to be fine.

Yes, your nutrients are high, but you’ve already done the first and most important part which is identifying it. And you’ve already started taking steps to bring them down. And if it’s any consolation, I have seen a couple dozen tanks over the years with nitrates between 500-800ppm (mostly managed by the same people). I was brought in to help fix these, and doing some very large water changes definitely helps.

If you don’t want to add any chemicals, and I don’t think it’s necessary unless you want to, then I would recommend the following.

1) Do a couple of water changes that are 20-40% each. One big water change is much better than two smaller water changes of equal volume. Keep this in mind when you plan.
2) Wait 48 hours between these big water changes.
3) When you’re doing the water changes, try to siphon the sandbed as much as possible. If it’s dirty, all the water from the bottom of the tank will likely be dark brown or gray. It’s OK if you don’t get all of it on the first big water change. Any little bit you do get will be beneficial to removing nutrients.
4) Heat up the New saltwater prior to doing to water change.
5) Double and triple check the salinity and temperature of both the tank and the new saltwater.
6) and lastly, stop feeding so much! Lol, half-joking. But it is important to identify how they got that high to prevent this from all happening again.

And once again, you’ll be fine! Keep up the good work, and keep us informed of how everything is going! Like the story of the turtle and the hare, ‘slow and steady’ wins the race.

 

[civics14]

gfo. just be careful with it as it may strip too much nitrate. but when everything fails, gfo+wc will take care of you.

I assume Hui meant phosphates, not nitrates.

15% water changes aren't going to shock anything. I do 20% bi-weekly water changes with no issues. But like Andrew mentioned, slow and steady and wait 48 hours between changes. I agree also to increase it to at least 20% water changes.

 

[Adam]

@civics14 I was just going to point that out.

I agree, take a breath and slow down. Don't know if your first test on NO3 showing 20-40 was a good test. It was already likely much higher, unless the second test with an 80 result is wrong. The level isn't going to double by doing a water change so one of the two is faulty.

Which test kit are you using for NO3 and do you have the ability to take some water to a store or a reefer friends for testing and verification? Getting a true reading can either save you a lot of time & water changes or confirm that you need to do them.

Are you using any form of nutrient export? If not now would be a good time to get something started. Cheato in a fuge or reactor would have a good jump start with the levels that high. An Algae Turf Scrubber would also take off pretty quick with that much NO3 & PO4. The first step is still confirming your test results, then taking action.

 

[jcook54]

Yep. It's not too bad at all. I would also warn against trying anything drastic and trying to remove too much at once. Bigger water changes and identifying the issue(s) that caused the problem in the first place will lead to success. I've used denitrators and GFO in the past but only after a few months of larger, more frequent water changes didn't get me where I wanted to be. There is a place for all of the different things you can add to combat nutrients but less is so much more and if the problem can be corrected with a simple solution, that's always the avenue to take.

 

[Markclaster]

Thanks guys. That makes me feel better. Yes I heat my water prior to putting it in. I can take a sample to the LFS. I’m using API for my nitrates. I was going to do another WC today but I will wait until tomorrow. I appreciate all y’all’s advice.