trying to raise my nitrates

[wampuscat]

My nitrates are only 2 ppm, tested with LaMotte test kit. I have taken out my skimmer for about two weeks now and have been feeding Roggers food three to five times a day. I just can't seem to get my nitrates up.....

 

[fenderguy1]

Ok ill bite... why do you want to raise them?

 

[_Alex_]

ya most people would be thrilled to be able to keep it that low why are u wanting to raise it so bad??

and if your not carefull it may jump up way faster than you expect here before long

 

[wampuscat]

I am running a bare bottom system and my corals look better when my nitrates are between 15 and 20 ppm.

 

[Reef Goddess]

Just kill a few things or toss some dead fish in there, works for me. ;p

 

[subdrive]

hahahahahahahahaha

 

[beaslbob]

Why raise nitrates?





To prevent cyano.


Try calcium nitrate or potassium nitrate. Calcium nitrate is sold as a fertilizer at feed and seed stores. Potassium nitrates is sold as "stump remover". I have heard the green light brand is 100% potassium nitrate.

my .02

 

[micromount]

My nitrates are up. I'll trade you some tank water for some of yours.

 

[soccerbag]

You may want to try some amino's. Or instead of feeding 4-5 times per day, you can feed oyster feast or DT's Phytoplankton after the lights go out. I'm curious to know what your fish load is and what the dimensions of your tank are. Also, are you vodka dosing? What size skimmer are you running. Just trying to get an better idea of your setup....

 

[subdrive]

Hahahahahahaha

 

[Reef Goddess]

Oh yeah, I could send you some water from my local wholesaler. I'm pretty sure their nitrates are like 300%. Last time I tested their water it turned solid, dark red. lol

 

[wampuscat]

The tank is a 150 72x18x27 and the skimmer is a euro-reef rs180 but I took it out of my sump about two weeks ago trying to get some nitrates in my tank. The fish load is seven yellow tangs, kole tang, chocolate tang, borbonis anthias, mystery wrasse and a starry blenny. Not dosing vodka or rb7 or anything like that.

And tank is bare bottom btw......

 

[soccerbag]

That's a good sized bioload - bet the shoal of yellow tangs are cool to watch. I wouldn't worry too much about raising your NO3. Just feed your fish heavy as you are and let nature take it's course. I would put the skimmer back in and just run it really dry so that it doesn't strip too much out. Some aminos may help - perhaps some DT's Phytoplankton as well. All corals (SPS, LPS, and clams) love it - it will not boost your nutrients though. Be thankful that you have low NO3 as some spend big $$$ trying to get them down! : )

 

[beaslbob]

Oh yeah, I could send you some water from my local wholesaler. I'm pretty sure their nitrates are like 300%. Last time I tested their water it turned solid, dark red. lol

hopefully that is ppm.

Kinda hard to have anything that is 300% of the tank. No even water. :bigsmile:

 

[beaslbob]

on my 55g a teaspoon of calcium nitrates resulted in nitrates of ~15-20ppm

 

[Genetics]

Two ppm nitrate seems like it would be ideal in keeping sps. If you need to have higher levels I would look first at feeding meatier foods. Adding amino acids would directly influence coral coloration and may be an easier way to get coral color.

 

[sowellj]

I agree with Genetics. Go with aminos. However, if you want to dose it, potassium or sodium nitrate should work just fine.

 

[cwegescheide]

I have been trying to do the same thing. I also have a bare bottom tank. The last two tanks I have had were both bare bottom and i have never had nitrates and i feed A LOT! Phosphates run about .03 hanna.

I agree with you on the trates. My buddy has nitrates in the 20's and his coloration is incredible. The problem with his tank is P04 is limiting his growth a bit.

 

[Troylee]

i think your test kit is bad or you are not using it correctly.... not fimiliar with that exact brand but with a bioload of that size your nitrates should be up.... try a different test kit and get that skimmer going again!!!!lol

 

[BlazinNano]

I maybe out of line but dude you are flirting with disaster. Put the skimmer back on. Just make it skim dry. It will sneak up on you and could be bad real quick.