How to get nitrates down in a saltwater tank?

[Nat_a126]

Any tips please? It's currently 20 ppm and I want to lower it.

[54seaweed]

water changes , lighten up on feedings

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by 54seaweed

water changes , lighten up on feedings

What percentage do I change?

[Bectan01]

You should be doing regular water changes, I do 10% weekly. How big is the tank and how long have you had it?

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by Bectan01

You should be doing regular water changes, I do 10% weekly. How big is the tank and how long have you had it?

It's 65 gallons and it's had fish in it since February 6

[Bectan01]

Do you do regular water changes? If so, how much and how often?

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by Bectan01

Do you do regular water changes? If so, how much and how often?

Yea, I used to do 50% once a month, but I'm trying to do it once every two weeks with a 20-30% change (the place where I get the natural saltwater is kinda far)

[dwint]

I have a 75 gal comm.and do 10 percent every two weeks and my water is always perfect.i only have 7 fish and a shrimp so its easy for me I guess

[Sniperhank]

How high are your nitrates? 10% water changes does a good job of keeping them down in a system not being overfed. No matter what, you have to export what you put in. If your nitrates are at 40, 10% is only going to take 4 out and you are left with 36. It'll go up again and then you'll only take 10% out.
I would do a large water change, like the 50% you say you already do, and then switch to 10% to keep them down >20-ish...but it all depends on how high your nitrates are to begin with.

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

How high are your nitrates? 10% water changes does a good job of keeping them down in a system not being overfed. No matter what, you have to export what you put in. If your nitrates are at 40, 10% is only going to take 4 out and you are left with 36. It'll go up again and then you'll only take 10% out.
I would do a large water change, like the 50% you say you already do, and then switch to 10% to keep them down >20-ish...but it all depends on how high your nitrates are to begin with.

My nitrates are at 20ppm. I just did a 20% water change since I just found an area near me that sells natural saltwater. I am also trying to feed less.
The bad news is that I think I have Aiptasia (glass) anemones so I'm planning to get a pepperment shrimp soon.

[Sniperhank]

Just nuke it with aiptasia-x and be done with it. Don't add livestock to solve an issue it might not be interested in anyway.

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

Just nuke it with aiptasia-x and be done with it. Don't add livestock to solve an issue it might not be interested in anyway.

I actually already wanted shrimp, so I'm just going to see if I can kill two birds with one stone. If not, no real loss

[54seaweed]

I've had better luck with feeder shrimps eating aiptasia than with peppermint shrimps and there cheaper

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by 54seaweed

I've had better luck with feeder shrimps eating aiptasia than with peppermint shrimps and there cheaper

How much do the feeder shrimp cost for you? Peppermints?

[54seaweed]

Originally Posted by Nat_a126

How much do the feeder shrimp cost for you? Peppermints?

about 40. cents apiece for feeders ,
peppermints about 5.99 each depending where you get them

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by 54seaweed

about 40. cents apiece for feeders ,
peppermints about 5.99 each depending where you get them

I have about 15 cents apiece for the feeders and 3 dollars apiece for the peppermints

[54seaweed]

those most likely are the fw glass shrimp your looking at

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by 54seaweed

those most likely are the fw glass shrimp your looking at

Yea probably. I've never even heard of the saltwater kind so I'm confused 😁

[bond300]

Originally Posted by Nat_a126

Any tips please? It's currently 20 ppm and I want to lower it.

How much live rock do you have? A good skimmer will help......

[Nat_a126]

Originally Posted by bond300

How much live rock do you have? A good skimmer will help......

I have 51 lbs of live rock and 60 lbs of sand. And yes, I'm looking some good skimmers.