Nitrate problem

[Gza166]

I've been doing two 5g water changes for two weeks now and I can't drop my nitrate levels, Between 30-40. Is there anything else I could try

 

[Convict2161]

I've been doing two 5g water changes for two weeks now and I can't drop my nitrate levels, Between 30-40. Is there anything else I could try

What size tank? What's the stock? How often are you feeding? When you say 2 weeks do you mean everyday for 2 weeks and they won't drop?

 

[spiketooth]

Check your tap water

 

[Convict2161]

Check your tap water

^^^ how did I miss that. +1 test it and post results.

 

[Daniel Fishy]

What type of test kit? API does total nitrate 40 would be around 10.

 

[spiketooth]

^^^ how did I miss that. +1 test it and post results.

Your too busy with your new tank, all that cleaning, checking and soon to.be triming

 

[Convict2161]

Your too busy with your new tank, all that cleaning, checking and soon to.be triming

Haha very true

 

[Gza166]

It's a 40g, usually do a water changes on tues and sat. Stock- clarkii clown, sleep gold head goby, firefish and cleanup crew. I use an API water test kit

 

[Ingy]

Water changes won't control nitrates. If you take out 25% of the water, you take out ONLY 25% of the nitrates. The rest build up for your next water change. Reducing feeding won't fix the problem either. That will simply lower slightly the total nitrates.
You need something to REMOVE all your nitrates. Chaeto or filter media.

 

[Gza166]

Also feed them once a day a small amount of flakes

 

[jeffaquarius]

Test fresh water for nitrate to eliminate cause of problem. How old is your tank?

 

[jeffaquarius]

What type of test kit? API does total nitrate 40 would be around 10.

With 5x2 gal pwc a week which is 25% that means nitrate would just go down to 30 while it keeps on increasing by whatever causing it. That means your water change is not going to solve problem.

 

[Daniel Fishy]

Read the API directions for testing nitrates the dividing by 4.4 should be in there. Marco algae is best if you can't check out some purigen or the like.

 

[Gza166]

Tank is a little over a year old. I mix my own saltwater so before I did a water change I tested the new water and nitrates were at 0

 

[jeffaquarius]

Overfeeding and dead cuc in tank can increase nitrate level

 

[Gza166]

So feed every other day? And my cuc I sometimes can't help that my crabs will kill my snaisl and not see it

 

[Ingy]

You will still have nitrates until you get something other than water changes to take it out.

 

[bavass]

What filtration are you using?

 

[mr_X]

Crabs and snails will not lower nitrates.

 

[Gza166]

@bavass Im just using an hob skimmer. Also I wasn't saying that my cuc will lower my nitrates I was asking if when they die will they raise my nitrate levels