Nitrate too high? - Page 2

blue_eyes53813 · 07-26-2006, 12:18 PM

Glad you figured it out... Run some carbon for a few days and it will come down...

Monacle · 07-30-2006, 04:43 PM

glad you found it before it was too late... would recommend getting the phosphates out asap. I run a phosphate sponge every once in a while even if the test shows 0. Good luck

Pro · 07-30-2006, 09:16 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about how the nitrate accumulated, it's always there as a byproduct of biological process and nutrient import. You greater concern is how to reduce it.

Water changes are the least effective method. You are limited to the percentage of the water change, ie. if you do a 15% water change your 20ppm value only drops to 17ppm. Not really worth the $5.00 in salt and hour of work.

Your current level of 20ppm isn't that bad. Many very successful tanks have values higher than that. As long as your invertebrates are healthy and growing, and you don't have an algae problem, I wouldn't worry about it.