80-120 Nitrate Level!!!!

[Donald Gilliss]

Did an all around parameter check and my nitrates are through the roof! It’s showing on the color chart between 80-120 ppm and I have no clue what to do!
Also what all effects will this have on my tank?

 

[JoshH]

Is this a reef tank or fish only?

Also what test kit are you using??

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Yes reef tank, just a couple small frags so far nothing major yet. And it’s API master test kit

 

[Alexreefer]

I would do a 25% water change. how big is the tank.

 

[JoshH]

Yes reef tank, just a couple small frags so far nothing major yet. And it’s API master test kit

Some water changes will drop the nitrate levels pretty significantly for a short term solution. How new is the tank? What size? How many fish?

Also it might be worth investing in a more accurate test kit for the long term. Now I don't think it's drastically off but investing in far more accurate test kits will probably help you out long term.

 

[Donald Gilliss]

The tank size is 90 gallons, it’s been up for about a year. There are 7 fish, along with some invertebrates. I’ll do a water change and retest! What’s a good brand for a full master test kit?

 

[JoshH]

The tank size is 90 gallons, it’s been up for about a year. There are 7 fish, along with some invertebrates. I’ll do a water change and retest! What’s a good brand for a full master test kit?

Honestly I think the best kit, is a mixed one, I have my Hanna checkers for ALK and ULR Posphate and Red Sea Pro kits for everything else. I think you will find most people have atleast a couple different companies tests kits in there testing cabinet.

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Thanks!

So do I have anything to worry about with my fish or corals? I also have a sebae anenome that’s been staying kinda shrunk up was wondering if this high level is causing it

 

[JoshH]

Thanks!

So do I have anything to worry about with my fish or corals? I also have a sebae anenome that’s been staying kinda shrunk up was wondering if this high level is causing it

Fish I wouldn't be too concerned about, but the corals and especially the nem is definately something to be concerned about, I would even spring for a 50% WC if you possibly can. Ultra high nitrates are no good atall for a nem...

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Quick question about my anenome, even tho I know this isn’t the right forum lol, but like I said I have a sebae and I know they like to be in the same but every time I try to put him down in the sand in a hole he comes out within a few minutes. Is there a certain way you’re supposed to do this?

 

[JoshH]

@Amoo #Reefsquad any thoughts here on this nem?

 

[goodefx]

Did an all around parameter check and my nitrates are through the roof! It’s showing on the color chart between 80-120 ppm and I have no clue what to do!
Also what all effects will this have on my tank?

WC for sure, but look at how much you are feeding your fish and pulling out... skimmer, refuge, carbon dosing, bacteria input and so on.

If your having a hard time ar getting nitrates down, start looking into carbon dosing or what is causing it(likely overfeeding).

If you do carbon dose, whatever path you choose, start slow!

 

[goodefx]

Also, nyos is my top choice on nitrate test kits, then red sea, think most would agree!

 

[Lasse]

Just in order to be sure. Did this come suddenly or had it slowly arise during this year? If it come suddenly - it could be that you of some reason get NO2 in the water. Free NO2 will give false reading of NO3 tests.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[SPR1968]

Quick question about my anenome, even tho I know this isn’t the right forum lol, but like I said I have a sebae and I know they like to be in the same but every time I try to put him down in the sand in a hole he comes out within a few minutes. Is there a certain way you’re supposed to do this?

If the anemone doesn’t like it in the sand in a hole he will always try and move to a spot we’re it’s more happy and often this isn’t were we want them.

On the Nitrate the easiest way to reduce the levels as already said, is just do a series of water changes, and continue with regular weekly changes to keep it under control. There are other methods involving biological filtration but the water change is the simple one

 

[Ron Reefman]

Most (but not all) nems would rather have their foot firmly attached to a solid surface and nut just sit in the sand. Now many will LOOK like they are in the sand, but 1-4" down under the sand there is a hard surface they are attached to. If anything bothers them, they can retract under the sand and disappear. So here is a suggestion. Take a small bowl of tank water that is deep enough to cover the nem. Then get a PVC end cap and set it in the bowl with the open side facing up. Get one big enough so the nems foot fits in but not so big that it has a lot of room to move (they come in 1/2" to 3" or more). Place the nem in the end cap. Now let it be and 2 or 3 times a day, like early morning and before you go to bed, dump most of the water in the bowl and fill it with more water from the tank. After 2 or 3 days the nem will very likely have settled down into the end cap and be attached. Then you can take the nem and the end cap and push the cap down into the sand where you want it. It's OK if sand goes in the end cap. If your nem is ever going to be 'comfortable' in the sand, this should do it. If it moves out and onto the rocks, then it doesn't want anything to do with being in the sand.

I've done this with RFAs, RBTAs, Curly-Qs, Condys and mini maxis and they all seem fine with it. Once in a great while one will move, but it's been very rare. Good luck. Ask questions if you have any.

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Thanks so much everyone!! Definitely do some water changes :)

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Most (but not all) nems would rather have their foot firmly attached to a solid surface and nut just sit in the sand. Now many will LOOK like they are in the sand, but 1-4" down under the sand there is a hard surface they are attached to. If anything bothers them, they can retract under the sand and disappear. So here is a suggestion. Take a small bowl of tank water that is deep enough to cover the nem. Then get a PVC end cap and set it in the bowl with the open side facing up. Get one big enough so the nems foot fits in but not so big that it has a lot of room to move (they come in 1/2" to 3" or more). Place the nem in the end cap. Now let it be and 2 or 3 times a day, like early morning and before you go to bed, dump most of the water in the bowl and fill it with more water from the tank. After 2 or 3 days the nem will very likely have settled down into the end cap and be attached. Then you can take the nem and the end cap and push the cap down into the sand where you want it. It's OK if sand goes in the end cap. If your nem is ever going to be 'comfortable' in the sand, this should do it. If it moves out and onto the rocks, then it doesn't want anything to do with being in the sand.

I've done this with RFAs, RBTAs, Curly-Qs, Condys and mini maxis and they all seem fine with it. Once in a great while one will move, but it's been very rare. Good luck. Ask questions if you have any.

Okay thanks so much!! I’m definitely gonna try this evening! I’ll let you know if I have any questions in the process!!

 

[Ron Reefman]

These rock flowers are all in pvc end caps (the mini-maxi is on a rock) and have been for several years... and they have even had babies while in this tank! Note the 4 tiny RFA between the bigger parents.

 

[Donald Gilliss]

These rock flowers are all in pvc end caps (the mini-maxi is on a rock) and have been for several years... and they have even had babies while in this tank! Note the 4 tiny RFA between the bigger parents.

Amazing, love this idea!!! I’ll post some afterwards pics once he’s settled

Now I know this doesn’t have anything to do with this post, but how do you know when/if your anenomes will have babies?