Hi guys. Im new in the hobby. I need some guidance. I have a 70 gallons acuarium with skimmer, sump system, plenty of media in the sump, overflow system, CO2 reactor and a whisper hang on back filter. All parameters are good except for nitrates which has been a battle since I started the tank almost a year ago. I did a 35% water change about a week ago, but a week later nitrates when up to 80. Any guidance?
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@ChirpyIce20
26d
Hey Ruben try adding some chaeto or a refugium for extra nitrate pull. Also check if any detritus is hiding in the sump could spike nitrates. How
@Ruben362
26d
Will check. Thanks for the advise.
@Joan
26d
Do you feed a lot? I’d start with carbon dosing. What about phosphates?
@Ruben362
26d
Hi Joan. I feed then once a day, small portion, but phosphate is something I haven't check yet. Thanks for the advise.
@Joan
25d
You can also set up a refugium to help with that together with the carbon dosing if they are still high. Vinegar or vodka will also help but just make sure you reduce them slow so you don’t shock the corals
@Ruben362
25d
Awesome, thanks. So, it it true that vinegar or vodka will help. Thats crazy, isn't it.
@Joan
25d
100%, I’d start by choosing one option and testing nitrates & phosphates weekly. Ideal numbers so corals don’t starve are 10-20NO3 & 0.05-0.1 PO4, unless you have an acro dominated tank, then I’d probably aim for NO3 closer to 10
@Ruben362
25d
Thanks my friend.
@Reine
25d
There should be a spike in phosphate too, which is worrying more than the Nitrate itself. Try to use a NOPOx products and use it about 1/4 from the recommended dose at start.
@Ruben362
25d
Awesome. Thanks for the advise.
@javier813
25d
Have you tried Bio-pellets.? I have a 125 gallon tank. With a 40 gallon refugium with chaeto. Skimmer. I have all the bells and whistles. This is my second year with my tank. Have had lots of problems with Nitrates being over 20ppm and phosphate at .16.. I tried carbon dosing. Cleaning every 4 days. Results would be back up at the same level. Until recently I tried Bio-pellets. Nitrates are now 10ppm phosphate are .07.. I haven't done a water change since 2/9/26. I only clean my filter socks and skimmer cup and canister filter every Sunday. I'm enjoying my tank now. No more parameters issues.
@Ruben362
25d
Nice. Thanks for the advise my friend.
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Don’t really need the co2 reactor for saltwater it’s mainly for growing plants in freshwater
You think that could be the issue why my nitrates stay high?
Yes probably. I’m still new to the hobby but I did 3+ years of research before getting into it, never actually helped me brace myself for the rollercoaster ride