nitrite and nitrate question

[beam3er]

Hello everyone,
I have a question, how can my nitrites be 0 ppm (mg/L) and my nitrates be around 40 ppm (mg/L) Does that make any sense? I have had my tank for close to a month now. Is this normal or harmful? Thank you in advance for any input.

 

[Ted]

Thats normal for a month in. The only way for you to bring nitrates down is through water changes and/or a refugium. You should be on the last leg of your cycle. 40 is high for corals (you shouldnt have any a month in) fish are usually ok with it.

 

[beam3er]

Thank you for your quick reply Ted. I do not have any corals yet just a clown fish and he is doing fine.

 

[Bifferwine]

Different types of bacteria use up different compounds. In our tanks, we usually have enough of the bacteria that use up nitrite that those levels stay at zero. The bacteria that use up nitrates are anaerobic, and it's harder for them to find environments they can survive in in our tanks, so nitrates tend to naturally rise unless we take care of them.

 

[sen5241b]

You want nitrites at zero -they are deadly to fish. Beneficial bacteria will keep them in check assuming you do not have a cycle going on. Nitrates are more of a struggle. I got nitrates from 40ppm to 20 by improving water flow and adding LR. I got them from 20 to 10 by using a skimmer, not overstocking and doing water changes. I got them from 10 to zero by adding a modest refugium with plenty of chaeto and a strong Refugium light.

 

[KidJ57]

+1 all above

Very helpful and well put, Sen!

 

[project5k]

agreed, well put sen

 

[dcantucson]

What if he doesn't have a refugium? What should / could he do (other than waterchanges) to get the nitrates down?

 

[daugherty]

make a deep sand bed in the tank it would help

 

[yote]

What if he doesn't have a refugium? What should / could he do (other than waterchanges) to get the nitrates down?

make a deep sand bed in the tank it would help

Either that or carbon dosing.
But carbon dosing is not for everybody.If your not carefull,you can kill everything in the tank with one overdose,plus the tank can become dependant on it.