High nitrates during fallow period

[Sbristol49]

I don't understand, I'm only feeding a few flakes every 3-4 days to my shrimp.. my tank been fallow from fish since February 12th. I've done 2-3 water changes since then because of my high nitrates and there still 75ppm.. My phosphate are in check. Any advice on how to fix this?

 

[Miami Reef]

How large were the water changes?

 

[Sbristol49]

How large were the water changes?

It's a 20 gallon innovative marine, I do about 5 gallon water changes

 

[reefmaster70]

you sure your nitrates are that high, or could it be bad testing kit? If you are doing those large of water changes weekly, and using RO/DI water, and feeding that little, you shouldn't have Nitrates that high. I'd check with another test, or your LFS.

 

[Sbristol49]

you sure your nitrates are that high, or could it be bad testing kit? If you are doing those large of water changes weekly, and using RO/DI water, and feeding that little, you shouldn't have Nitrates that high. I'd check with another test, or your LFS.

Yeah the thing is, I do have diatoms in my tank.. so I'd assume the nitrates are bit high.

 

[Miami Reef]

Yeah the thing is, I do have diatoms in my tank.. so I'd assume the nitrates are bit high.

Can you test nitrate in the new saltwater?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is in the tank that would be using nitrate?