Nitrates Shut Up

Slick Willy 46 · Aug 19, 2023

Red Sea Nano Max 20 Gallon

My Normal Parameters:

Ammonia 0 / PH 8.2 / Nitrates 2 / Phos. .01 / Calcium 440 / Alk. 160 / Calcium 440-460

I did a water change last week and checked my water parameters this week. This is how I normally do things. I checked my Nitrates with my Red Sea Nitrate tester and it showed some where between 10-20. I then checked with my Hanna tester and it read 16.5.

I noticed a couple days ago it appeared my cleaner shrimp molted. After I saw how high my Nitrate was I did a double check. It was actually dead.

Could the dead shrimp really bump my Nitrates up that high in this tank??

Otherwise I have no idea what changed.

My tank is only 20 gallons??

Lavey29 · Aug 19, 2023

Your nitrates aren't high. When shrimp are molting they are very vulnerable so maybe someone in the tank got him.

Slick Willy 46 · Aug 19, 2023

Nitrates at 16.5 aren't high. They are usually 2. That seems like a huge jump in a week??

blaxsun · Aug 20, 2023

...You shut up. :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

Slick Willy 46 · Aug 20, 2023

blaxsun said:
...You shut up. :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

Is 16.5 Nitrate OK??

blaxsun · Aug 20, 2023

Slick Willy 46 said:
Is 16.5 Nitrate OK??

Sure - 10-15ppm is a decent range. I have 50ppm right now and everything is peachy.

biom · Aug 20, 2023

Slick Willy 46 said:
Red Sea Nano Max 20 Gallon

My Normal Parameters:

Ammonia 0 / PH 8.2 / Nitrates 2 / Phos. .01 / Calcium 440 / Alk. 160 / Calcium 440-460

I did a water change last week and checked my water parameters this week. This is how I normally do things. I checked my Nitrates with my Red Sea Nitrate tester and it showed some where between 10-20. I then checked with my Hanna tester and it read 16.5.

I noticed a couple days ago it appeared my cleaner shrimp molted. After I saw how high my Nitrate was I did a double check. It was actually dead.

Could the dead shrimp really bump my Nitrates up that high in this tank??

Otherwise I have no idea what changed.

My tank is only 20 gallons??

Yes, a dead shrimp can raise nitrates even higher in 20 gallons. 10-20 nitrates is generally ok but because your tank is not experienced such a level it could lead to some issues having in mind phosphate is very low too. Another water change 30-50% will help IMO

Slick Willy 46 · Sep 3, 2023

Well, I found out why my nitrates were jumping up every couple of days. I tested the RO water from my LFS and the Nitrates were almost 11. This is what my ATO was putting in my tank. I ordered an RO/DI water system, it will be here next weekend. I've been using distilled water for ATO, I hope that's OK until I get RO/DI system.