Nitrate levels high - Page 2

JohnO · 10-25-2004, 09:48 PM

James,

There can only be 2 possibilities :-)

1. That the Nitrate levels in the water are very high

2. That you have a faulty test kit

To eliminate the test kit, get your tank water and also your freshwater supply tested at the LFS. Either that or just get a test kit of a different brand and compare.

If the test come back around the same levels then something mysterious is happening as I have never heard of Nitrate levels raising after a water change.

Out of interest, have you tested your freshwater for Ammonia and Nitrite? If not go through the process as you would normally do when doing a water change and test the water ( the water you are going to put into the tank ) for all three, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.

John

Mr._Bond · 10-26-2004, 05:05 AM

If it's not the test kit (which I'm not convinced that it's faulty), should I be doing a water change? I don't want to lose these fish (and shrimp and sea urchin etc). The test is just the dipping kind (you stick a strip into the water, the strip has several pads on it that you match up to a color). I've tested 3 times with those and shows that high each time - so unless the whole batch of strips is faulty... My LFS is a ways away, which is why I haven't taken in a sample yet. When tested in just plain water, nitrate levels show as almost non-existent, so it seems like the strips are measuring something...
Anyway, my biggest concern right now is keeping my livestock alive and well. Any thoughts on that?

Matt Rogers · 10-26-2004, 05:49 AM

A water change, 20 - 40%, will be a short term solution. It will help, but won't fix the problem. Not sure what that is yet. John's ideas are good. You can always order more accurate kits online. Salifert are supposed to be the best in most cases except the calcium kit which some people have had problems with. I like SeaChem for the money, especially calcium, but the iodine one is hard to read.

Maybe start by feeding a little less. Doing a water change and ordering better kits. The dip ones don't have a very good rep.

JohnO · 10-28-2004, 11:51 AM

James,

I have the feeling that the test kit is probably detecting Nitrate but overstating the levels. As Matt suggested a 20% water change at this stage would be a good idea.

To get an idea of whether the test kit is working, test the water again before the change, test the new saltwater, and test the tank again after adding the new water.

I would be interested in what the 3 readings are :-)

John

Mr._Bond · 10-29-2004, 07:00 AM

JohnO, I'm taking in a sample of the water to my LFS today. Will let you know the results of that as well as taking your advice. Will be trying to get the water change in this weekend.

Birdlady · 10-29-2004, 01:06 PM

If the nitrates were really that high...would the inverts still be alive? :huh:

reiple · 10-29-2004, 07:29 PM

Mr. Bond ---

James, how are your animals? Was it the test kit?

Scoffer · 10-30-2004, 04:37 AM

Hi all..

Also Good Luck Mr. Bond. My nitrates are also staying high. My tank is over 6 months old but my nitrates are still in the 30-40 ppm at least, which I now blame for the slow death of my Green Gonapora. Sad, awful death too...

I plan on doing about a 30% water change today. All kinds of goop on the sand bed and getting a green algea growing, I think from adding the Stress Zyme (comments please!!!) .

Just wanted to ask is there a special or sponsered place to order the SeaChem test from? I too need a better test kit. My dip test just don't convince my of the truth...

thanks all...

Scoffer

Matt Rogers · 10-30-2004, 05:53 AM

Which 'stress zyme' is this Scoffer?
I seem to recall this stuff doing this when a lot is used. Not sure though. Is your skimmer freaking out?

You can find SeaChem and Salifert test kits by hitting the 'visit sponsors' link at the top right of the page. Captive Reefs, Salty Critter, Arizona Coral Company all have kits.

SOrry for your loss!

Scoffer · 10-30-2004, 06:48 AM

dont know exactly I threw away the bottle!! sorry...

also, I'll check my skimmer now that you've said something... (update: doesn't look to crazy , maybe more little bubbles)

I got 20 new turbo snails today...and will do a water change this weekend...

I also got some SeaChem Prime Nitrite/Nitrate Detoxifier when I got the snails.. *Is this stuff good to use to help lower nitrate levels? of course the bottle says it is...

any advice on this stuff?

the guy at the LFS said its probably due to nitrogen bubbles in my sand bed and I needed to stir up my sand bed to help remove the nitrogen. I do see little bubbles floating up often.. good this be true??

thanks

Scoffer