Help High Nitrates

[danny zubot]

I have been having difficulty controlling my NO3 levels lately. They have been 20ppm for about a month, and now are about 40 or 50 ppm after 2 water changes to the tune of 25%. Gone through the usual steps, regular water changes, skimmer maintenance and reduced feeding. I try to stay away from adding things like Cycle and other quick fix products, I like to get to the root of the problem. I'm wondering about the crushed coral I use in my sump, could this be a cause? I have heard of bad batches of salt which would co-inside with the NO3 problems but I haven't tested yet.

[Invigor]

gravel vac!

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

I have heard of bad batches of salt which would co-inside with the NO3 problems but I haven't tested yet.

then your first step would be to make up a gal of water and test it to rule the salt out. befor this is done anything we advise would be mute. also test your water you use to make the salt water first to rule out your make up water and the water you use to make the salt. if your water has a high nitrate the salt could be fine..

Steve

[danny zubot]

I'll let you know what my test results are tommorow!

[danny zubot]

Gravel vacuum? I was thinking of just taking the crushed coral out. I really don't know what the benifits are anyway.

[Chad]

the crushed coral adds a natural buffer to your system and also gives home to some of the little tiny life in your tank.

But then it also traps ditrious.. so .. it has its pro's and con's.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Chad

the crushed coral adds a natural buffer to your system and also gives home to some of the little tiny life in your tank.

But then it also traps ditrious.. so .. it has its pro's and con's.

if you need the bed to provide a natural buffer then you have more issues and it is to lait anyways. there is no overriding benifit other than looks. there is a slight benifit of the bacterial population but the rock will handle it.

Steve