I just recently set up a high light 75g and my nitrates are not being used like I would expect.
Tank specs:
75gallon
220 Watts CF (3WPG) 12hr/day
Ecocomplete
Fully planted, including lots of fast growing stem-plants
15 fish (platies, guppies, cories)
Moved filter media over from previous tank
Dechlorinator: SeaChem Prime
I set up the tank just over a week ago and started with 15ppm of nitrate from Calcium Nitrate ( 5Ca(NO3)2.NH4NO3.10H2O ). In over week, my nitrates have only gone down to 10ppm.
Shouldn't my tank use a ton more nitrates? I have tons of plants, lots of growth and a small bio-load.
I'm guessing I am getting a false reading on my Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Would Prime or Calcium Nitrate or something else give me a false reading on my test kit?
I've been meaning to take a water sample to a LFS to verify my results, but I worry that they have the same test kit.
I am also getting staghorn algae which can be caused by a shortage of macros.
I am considering adding 5ppm of KNO3 everyday just because I think it needs it - (along with 50% weekly water changes).
What do you folks think?
Tank specs:
75gallon
220 Watts CF (3WPG) 12hr/day
Ecocomplete
Fully planted, including lots of fast growing stem-plants
15 fish (platies, guppies, cories)
Moved filter media over from previous tank
Dechlorinator: SeaChem Prime
I set up the tank just over a week ago and started with 15ppm of nitrate from Calcium Nitrate ( 5Ca(NO3)2.NH4NO3.10H2O ). In over week, my nitrates have only gone down to 10ppm.
Shouldn't my tank use a ton more nitrates? I have tons of plants, lots of growth and a small bio-load.
I'm guessing I am getting a false reading on my Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Would Prime or Calcium Nitrate or something else give me a false reading on my test kit?
I've been meaning to take a water sample to a LFS to verify my results, but I worry that they have the same test kit.
I am also getting staghorn algae which can be caused by a shortage of macros.
I am considering adding 5ppm of KNO3 everyday just because I think it needs it - (along with 50% weekly water changes).
What do you folks think?