Can’t get nitrates down

[creef]

Hi,

Tank is about 2 months old, has 4 fish (regal tang, 2 clowns, cleaner wrasse & dottyback) plus clean up crew. Can’t seem to get the nitrates down at all and it’s never been where it should be. Ammonia & nitrates ok (0.05 & 15-20). Nitrites have always sat at around 0.5-0.8.

Question, if ammonia and nitrate are ok is there huge reason to worry about nitrite?

We originally had the skimmer running when we introduced the fish, started having a problem with cyano & were advised to turn the skimmer off for a week or so and so far it has massively improved cyano.

Live rock has been added to the sump & have been using pure reef balance.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

Tank is still young and maturing water changes can help lower nitrates as well as live phytoplankton and a refugium

 

[shakacuz]

what are you using the test the water? how big is the tank? the cyano is likely due to overfeeding and poor water flow. the skimmer should help pull out the organics which are free floating and causing the cyano. phyto and copepods will help. put the skimmer back online.

 

[creef]

Tank is 250L, we did buy an orbit 4 to help with flow so may have been that that’s helped. Will get the skimmer back on and see what happens.

 

[shakacuz]

Tank is 250L, we did buy an orbit 4 to help with flow so may have been that that’s helped. Will get the skimmer back on and see what happens.

also, try this: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/extreme-water-clarity-and-cyano-eradication-made-easy.916381/

 

[creef]

Thank you, also forgot to say using the JBL test kit but I’ve heard mixed reviews so looking into getting another

 

[shakacuz]

Thank you, also forgot to say using the JBL test kit but I’ve heard mixed reviews so looking into getting another

highly suggest the hanna instrument "egg" checkers(nitrate ULR, phosphorus ULR, ALK dkh) for ease of use, but also salifert kits are affordable and reliable. MAG doesn't really need testing, but i've had good readings with the aquaforest brand, and with CAL i'd also suggest aquaforest or salifert

 

[56longroof]

Your tanks still cycling. I wouldn't worry about it and let it progress naturally.

 

[56longroof]

Turn the skimmer back on too. It removes more than just precursors to nitrate and phosphate. Plus the extra O2 will help with the ph.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Question, if ammonia and nitrate are ok is there huge reason to worry about nitrite?

There is never any reason to worry about nitrite except when it interferes with nitrate testing. Nitrite is not toxic and no concern.

 

[creef]

There is never any reason to worry about nitrite except when it interferes with nitrate testing. Nitrite is not toxic and no concern.

Thanks for this. What do you mean by interfering with testing? Sorry I am still fairly new to all of this and learning as I go.

 

[JayM]

Thanks for this. What do you mean by interfering with testing? Sorry I am still fairly new to all of this and learning as I go.

High nitrite will skew nitrate results and make them artificially high.

 

[Dan_P]

Hi,

Tank is about 2 months old, has 4 fish (regal tang, 2 clowns, cleaner wrasse & dottyback) plus clean up crew. Can’t seem to get the nitrates down at all and it’s never been where it should be. Ammonia & nitrates ok (0.05 & 15-20). Nitrites have always sat at around 0.5-0.8.

Question, if ammonia and nitrate are ok is there huge reason to worry about nitrite?

We originally had the skimmer running when we introduced the fish, started having a problem with cyano & were advised to turn the skimmer off for a week or so and so far it has massively improved cyano.

Live rock has been added to the sump & have been using pure reef balance.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

The presence of nitrite is interfering with the nitrate test, making it appear that your aquarium water has more nitrate than it does. Until the nitrite is gone, don’t bother testing nitrate.

As for the nitrite, that level is not likely to be an issue for fish.