nitrate level through the roof!!!!!!!!

[vsnsofadrgn]

can anyone help????? my nitrate level is SUPER high!!!!!! how do i lower it?? i have been using tap water to cap of the eveaporation and i think thats how it got that way... do i do a major water change??

this is my set up:
20gal, 17lbs [acronym:d08c731649="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:d08c731649], 18lbs [acronym:d08c731649="Live sand"]LS[/acronym:d08c731649], protein skimmer, 2 powerheads, a heater, 2 clowns, hermits, and a snail.

here are my test results:
nitrate - 80
nitrite - 0
ammonia - .25
[acronym:d08c731649="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:d08c731649] - 8

thanks in advance!!

[Royal Gramma]

How old is the system?

PWCs with [acronym:f8d96771f5="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:f8d96771f5]/[acronym:f8d96771f5="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:f8d96771f5] water are the best way [acronym:f8d96771f5="in my opinion"]imo[/acronym:f8d96771f5] to lower Nitrates.

Test your tap water for Nitrates to see if it is the culprit.

How often do you do water changes?

Best wishes!

Mark

[AndyH5512]

That is the tough issue with having a smaller tank. Small changes in population, feeding etc can equal huge fluctuations in water quality. You defintely need to do some water changes, but be careful how much you do at once. How much are you feeding? Over feeding can be a big cause of high nitrates.

[vsnsofadrgn]

its been up and running since feb 2005, i will test the tap water.......i do water changes about once a month...

[vsnsofadrgn]

i feed flake food once a day, ive tried the frozen, but they wont eat it . i havent changed anything in the tank, i moved in may, and ive been using different water to top off but thats the only change ive made. im goin to testt he tap water now....

[vsnsofadrgn]

ive heard that sponges acan be a nitrate problem, should i take the sponges off the powerheads???

[vsnsofadrgn]

the tap water test results are 10. ive been topping off with this since may, is that the culprit?? im sorry but can you tell me what a [acronym:d6273ba0b9="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d6273ba0b9]/[acronym:d6273ba0b9="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:d6273ba0b9] system consists of please??

[runway1]

Monthly water changes, flake food daily and tap water, YUP. That's your problem.

I can barely keep my [acronym:056e158739="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:056e158739]'s under 10 but this is what I do and it works for me anyhow:
*I feed every other day, sometimes every third day - frozen stuff. Try some garlic and let them go 2-3 days without feeding. That should get them to eat.
*Water changes are 15% weekly, [acronym:056e158739="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:056e158739]/[acronym:056e158739="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:056e158739] only.

For now, I would suggest a 1/3 water change and stop feeding for a couple days. Then, do another 10-15% water change and a light feeding of garlic soaked frozen food. Wait 5-7 days and do a 20% water change. USE [acronym:056e158739="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:056e158739]/[acronym:056e158739="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:056e158739]. It's cheap. Especially since you're only buying ~5-8 gallons at a time. GOOD LUCK

[Hara]

your sponges could be a source, how often do you take them off and clean them? I would try to do it weekly, as well as water changes weekly with the [acronym:3a117d5f18="Reverse osmosis"]ro[/acronym:3a117d5f18] water

[vsnsofadrgn]

what should i use for top off?