Need help lowering my nitrate level

also grocery store clams can filter nitrates as well you can have one per 5 gallons i think i have about 10 in my 74 and they are doing a damn good job they live forever aswell!

 

For those of us totally in the dark.........what on Earth are you talking about?

 

+1

Where can I get these Nitrate Filters at a reasonable price?

 

i get mine from publics here in TN they run about 45 cent a clam they are the little neck clams they do a great job and live thru just about anything you might want to check your local grocery stores im sure they will have some in.

 

Do clams really do a good job? I got a asian market nearby that has a bunch of those top neck clams as well as the huge ones. I may introduce them if you guys thing they work. BTW, I went and got my water tested again by the LFS this time and they told me the nitrates are only in the 20's now. Of course I went home and retested twice with different kits and it still reads 80 to 100 with my home kits. What gives? I use API test kits. Well, got a whole bunch of cheato from a friendly hobbyist nearby so hopefully that helps.

 

Do yourself a favor and use Salifert tests. They are user friendly, and known for their accuracy.

As for grocery store clams, I think they come from colder water than our reef tanks, but if you want to try them, just have a bit of butter, parsley and oregano in case things don't work out.

 

Seriously I want to try that now, Throw like 5 in my fuge and let them go to get my nitrates down. Lol teach us ur ways people want to know

 

I will give salifert a shot. I think some lime juice and fish sauce will go better w/ the clams than parsley;D

 

I don't know if you are using the kit correctly. I was informed to read the directions exactly. Bottle #2 must be shaken for the full 30 sec. and the then when added to the vial the vial must be shaken for the full 1 min. to get an accurate reading. If you have been doing it correctly then either the kit is faulty or expired.

 

I've done exactly as instructed to with different test kits. Granted they are both API but still came out with almost identical colors. I will try my LFS again just in case they didn't shake their bottles too well. I was told that the nitrate levels will actually show lower if the bottles are well shaken. At least that's what one of the guys at that LFS told me.