I’ve done multiple water changes and have been using seachem prime. Neither are lower nitrate levels enough. What should I do?
Lowering Nitrates
- Thread starter carsonrm01
- Start date
Test kit out of date? Are u checking after using the dechlorinator? Tank size and stock? How much water changed and how often?
How high in PPM is the nitrate indicating. Is this the API master test kit?
Dumb question, but are you shaking the crap out of bottle #2 before you use it? Gotta follow the directions to a "T".
Dumb question, but are you shaking the crap out of bottle #2 before you use it? Gotta follow the directions to a "T".
Just curious, have you been doing regular water changes all along, or have you just stated doing them since you started noticing the nitrate are up?
Nitrates are cumulative, so unless you have been doing regular water changes all along, it may take a while to lower them.
Also, have you been cleaning filter media regularly? If you are using a canister that goes weeks without cleaning (or any filter) and not cleaning out gunk, that filter and the buildup of gunk becomes a constant spewer of nitrate.
Prime does nothing to lower nitrate..
I find I need to do 30-40% water changes every other day to keep nitrate at my target level, below 10ppm, and have been doing that regime for over 20 years.
And as others have said, unless you are rinsing test tubes thoroughly between tests, a residual film can build up in the tube, and give false results.
I rinse the tubes 3 times before, and 3 times after each test..
Nitrates are cumulative, so unless you have been doing regular water changes all along, it may take a while to lower them.
Also, have you been cleaning filter media regularly? If you are using a canister that goes weeks without cleaning (or any filter) and not cleaning out gunk, that filter and the buildup of gunk becomes a constant spewer of nitrate.
Prime does nothing to lower nitrate..
I find I need to do 30-40% water changes every other day to keep nitrate at my target level, below 10ppm, and have been doing that regime for over 20 years.
And as others have said, unless you are rinsing test tubes thoroughly between tests, a residual film can build up in the tube, and give false results.
I rinse the tubes 3 times before, and 3 times after each test..
I'm not an expert, but I've gathered a bit if info on water to deal with my own issues.
Have you tested your source water? Beside nitrates, there might be ammonia. There's not supposed to be ammonia, but sometimes it's there. Your tap water might have chloramine, as well which is chlorine + ammonia, and from my understanding Prime deals with this by neutralizing chlorine, and giving ammonia the extra ion to make it ammonium. This is harmless, but your bacteria might be converting this ammonium into nitrate.
Have you tested your source water? Beside nitrates, there might be ammonia. There's not supposed to be ammonia, but sometimes it's there. Your tap water might have chloramine, as well which is chlorine + ammonia, and from my understanding Prime deals with this by neutralizing chlorine, and giving ammonia the extra ion to make it ammonium. This is harmless, but your bacteria might be converting this ammonium into nitrate.
First thing on your checklist is to measure your tap water nitrate level. If it is 0ppm then your elevated nitrate level, i'm happy to report, is down to YOU, and can be remedied easily. Your stock levels, tank size, feeding and water change schedule may all need looking at in order to address the nitrate issue. Pretty basic stuff really.
If your tap water nitrate level is positive then that can be a little more tricky.
If your tap water nitrate level is positive then that can be a little more tricky.
There are some very good advice here. I would say start with checking if test kit is right then look at what's nitrate level in tap water.
You can use plants in HOB or sump to lower nitrates.
You can use plants in HOB or sump to lower nitrates.
Have you done a 90% water change? 25% weekly water changes isn't enough to lower nitrate levels when past orange (10-20ppm). Even daily 25% is not enough.