Catch Up Post 2: Nitrates, the bane of my fish keeping.

Fear not! All two of my fish are still alive.  Shortly after the shrimp’s death, I noticed a disturbing skyrocket in nitrate levels.  They shot up to 100 ppm.  FYI, that is not good.

The fastest way to reduce nitrate levels are water changes.  The first day I did a 60% water change and brought the levels down to 40 ppm.  The next day I decided to be proactive about my nitrate levels since I had been a little lax.  I did an 80% water change.  Still, the nitrates were and are holding at 40 ppm.  I really, really, really want them below 20.  I want the tanks I see on nano-reef so I need to have this under control.

Once again, I went to Nano-Reef to seek advice on this problem.  The members were helpful in their suggestions and I will list them here in case someone wants a list of things to eliminate in their nitrate problems:

1 Nitrates in the new water.

For me, I know this is not the case.  When I first started my tank, I had no nitrates.  I also checked my new water just in case.

2 Artificial Filter Media.

Artificial filter media, like sponges, can be a magnet for housing debris that in turn creates nitrates.  This can be a possible cause for me.  I am currently using a sponge in my AC70.  Within the next couple weeks, I am hoping to replace my artificial media with Chaeto algae which should drastically reduce nitrates since that is what it intakes to grow.

3  Faulty test kits.

API test kits, like the one I use, do not have the best reviews.  I have been advised to possible use Salifert for more accurate results.  This is another possible cause for me.  However, since I was planning on using Chaeto algae in my filter, I am going to try that first.