nitrates

[stargazingmommy]

Is there a primer on nitrates, the good the bad and the ugly? Tested water today, ph 8, nitrite -0, ammonia- 0, nitrate 40.
Fish are 4 green chromis, 1 occilarus, 1 rather large foxface. Other inhabitants are . Snails and one anemone. And live rock and sand. No more macroalgae as the foxface are what little there was.
I know water changes will take the nitrate down, but more long term what can I do? What causes it to be high? Or is this number really nothing at all to worry about?

 

[1guydude]

Nitrate is the final stage for bacteria. Ammonia and nitrite become oxidized into nitrate.
Nitrate builds up if your skimmer can't keep with it or if ur beneficial bacteria is too small in #s.
Lots of medias like carbon and pellets aid in removing phosphate and nitrates.
Water changes are the most direct fastest and prob best thing to do.
Nitrates of 40 are ok in a fish only aquarium. Your anenome might not tolerate it forever.
Highs
D

 

[Scooterman]

I'd say snails also on that list, it takes constant husbandry to meet the reef level of requirements and have a happy tank for many years!

 

[Blue Lip]

I recommend a better protein skimmer. Pull the crap out of the water before it breaks down. I had already stated I think protein skimmers around $100 are usually junk. I was thinking of a sea clone. I think they are a waste of money.

 

[NanaReefer]

I recommend a better protein skimmer. Pull the crap out of the water before it breaks down. I had already stated I think protein skimmers around $100 are usually junk. I was thinking of a sea clone. I think they are a waste of money.

Sorry you feel this way. My $89 dollar SCA-301 pulls major skim consistently.

 

[Blue Lip]

I have never used a SCA skimmer. I have used a sea-clone & too many others that don't work well.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I would first ask how old the tank is, how many gallons, and how many pounds of rock and sand. Also a photo of the type rock would help. Sounds like your display is producing more pollutants than your system is removing. Yes to all suggestions. Water changes are easy, better skimmer is always good. Refugiums are astounding at mopping up nitrates.

 

[stargazingmommy]

We made some adjustments and got nitrates down to near zero. Then had to adjust more to treat for ick. Only one fish had it, and he's been moved to the hospital tank, but the kid wanted to treat them all to make sure the others didn't get it. We added more sand and rock. The protein skimmer is a sea clone but has been working excellent when someone doesn't turn it all the way down(brother and his wife and kids camped in the living room and someone turned out down because they didn't like the noise, and I didn't notice). We are adding a second skimmer to the other end of the tank.
Anyway, after the additions and turning the skimmer back where it should be. I have a couple pics but just one section, I'll post that later when I get on the laptop

 

[dnjan]

Nitrate builds up if your skimmer can't keep with it ...

I am not familiar with the mechanism by which a skimmer removes nitrates. Please elaborate.

 

[1guydude]

If u can get the ammonia and nitrite out of the water before it's oxidized into nitrate ,uve removed nitrates.... So to elaborate...ur actually mechanically filtering ammonia. I stand corrected.
D

 

[dnjan]

If u can get the ammonia and nitrite out of the water before it's oxidized into nitrate ,uve removed nitrates.... So to elaborate...ur actually mechanically filtering ammonia. I stand corrected.
D

I didn't realize that skimming could appreciably remove ammonia. I thought skimming primarily removed polar organics.

 

[1guydude]

amnonia and nitrites and nitrates are all protiens im pretty sure. Protein skimming....polar organic skimming...call it wat u will lol.
-d

 

[tike]

Skimming will reduce the organics that can turn into nitrates. More important is to get control of excess nutrients that can cause high nitrates. Using RO/DI water helps tremendously, controlling your feeding and regular water changes. Also, the seaclone (seaclown) isn't a very good skimmer but with some mods and a low volume of water (say under 50 gallons) they can work adequate.