Lowering Nitrate?

[Boykin]

Hey,

My Nitrate it kinda high.... whats the best way to lower it? I was thinking a water change.... but if theres something I can go get from a LFS to do the job I would like to do that. ( I love shoping )

But I also what to do whats better for the tank.... everything in it is fine, no bad signs or anything. What would be the best way to lower it?

 

[tecwzrd]

What is the current ppm level?
How much/often do you feed?
What do you use for filtration and how often do you clean your tank/filters, perform pwc?
Is your water source no3 free?
Is your my info correct (20 gal with one 3" clown, 3 shrimp, and 3 hermits)

 

[Boykin]

yes and no we have...

-Black false clown fish ( 3")
-Pepperment Shrimp(1)
-Hermit Crabs (2)
-Yellow Tang (4")
-Scooter Blenny (3")
-Collector Crab
-Sand Star
-Red Footed Snail
And a very Special Crab

* This is a temp. tank until our 120 is ready*

I feed morning and night (as mush as they eat)

Yes, my RO water is no3 Free

PWC every 2-3 weeks, we have a fluval 205(40gl) w/skimmer attachment.

PPm is at 20


We just found a dead sopnge, what was very sicky and hard to remove...so I'm pretty sure thats whats causeing it.

 

[tecwzrd]

That's a heavy bio-load for a 20 gal. Feeding morning/night is ok but I'd really watch closely to see how quickly it's getting eaten up and reduce if not eaten quickly.

I have gone to a more frequent feeding schedule (3 times a day, morning, when I get home, and just before lights out) but feed so sparingly that it's gone in about 15-30 seconds with no waste and I still keep my no3 in check (0-5 ppm).

Cleaning the fluval weekly and doing pwc (3-5 gal) weekly should keep no3 under control even with the increased bio-load.

 

[MT79]

Well you have an enormous bioload for a 20 gal. That would be the primary cause most likely. Have you tested for ammo and nitrite? Large PWC's are best at lowering NO3. 25% or more at a time would be best. When doing larger PWC's, you need to be even more careful to match up SG, PH, etc. I would hurry and get the 120 up. That tang is not going to fare well for long in such a small environment, along w/ the water quality issues your seeing only getting worse.

 

[Boykin]

I know he was given to me and thats the best place for him as of now. the one twenty will be ready very soon. thanks for all the help.

 

[Marc118]

How long are we talkin? A few weeks?

JW...if tangs dont get enough room to swim it will lead to health problems.

 

[Boykin]

yeah... we are going to get the light kit next weekend, he/she seems fine but I know it will be happy to be in the larger tank.