My nitrates were fine until the last couple of weeks, but I noticed them at 30-40ppm recently. So, I did a 25% PWC today, and that's brought them down to a more acceptable (though not ideal) 15ppm.
I'm aiming for 5ppm or below (nano reef), but I've no idea why my nitrates are/were so high. I feed sparingly, often only once a day (max. twice), all the food is eaten within seconds, I do 25% PWC every 2 weeks, and use RO water. All other levels are within the acceptable ranges.
I also use 2 small internal filters for filtration, filled with PURA pads, and seachem matrix carbon (all recently replaced). I have 8kg LR.
I have also got a fairly bad algae boom at the moment (all different colours - red, green, black, brown), which backs up my high nitrates test.
Can anyone help?
One thing I did notice, was I tested my fresh SW (mixed for 24hours) today for nitrates, and it showed 2ppm. It's Seachem Marine salt (with RO water). Is this normal?
I'm aiming for 5ppm or below (nano reef), but I've no idea why my nitrates are/were so high. I feed sparingly, often only once a day (max. twice), all the food is eaten within seconds, I do 25% PWC every 2 weeks, and use RO water. All other levels are within the acceptable ranges.
I also use 2 small internal filters for filtration, filled with PURA pads, and seachem matrix carbon (all recently replaced). I have 8kg LR.
I have also got a fairly bad algae boom at the moment (all different colours - red, green, black, brown), which backs up my high nitrates test.
Can anyone help?
One thing I did notice, was I tested my fresh SW (mixed for 24hours) today for nitrates, and it showed 2ppm. It's Seachem Marine salt (with RO water). Is this normal?