Large water changes input

[monocus]

why not do 10 % water changes every day for the next few days or twice a day.as for nitrates build a nitrate reactor

[xenon]

Water changes are not the most cost effective solution for high nitrates unless you have a nano.

What size tank do you have?

I would consider carbon dosing to lower nitrates if you have a good size tank and skimmer that is oversized.

[sirruckus]

this is a 90 gallon tank

the problem with 10% water changes, it would take 22 consecutive days to get Nitrates from 160 down to 16 (theoretically) provided nothing else impacts the levels

[Parker]

Originally Posted by sirruckus

this is a 90 gallon tank

the problem with 10% water changes, it would take 22 consecutive days to get Nitrates from 160 down to 16 (theoretically) provided nothing else impacts the levels

That's assuming your nitrates don't continue to climb / increase along the way via heavy feeding etc.

The first course of action would be to find out what's causing your high nitrates and then come up with a solution and path forward. You don't necessarily want to drop your nitrates that far that fast, nothing good happens fast.

[subman]

As important as water changes are...they are not a great way to reduce nitrates. there are many ways to reduce nitrates as mentioned above but i think you also need to find the cause of the nitrates. perhaps the two dead fish caused the spike or maybe the deaths were caused by the high nitrates. change some water and look into one of the nitrate reducing methods.

[waynemah]

Originally Posted by Parker

You don't necessarily want to drop your nitrates that far that fast, nothing good happens fast.

Since it's to the point where there are casualties, it might be a good idea to try and reduce the nitrates fairly quick.

I would perform a 20% water change every 2 days until the nitrates are in check. During this time look for the cause of the nitrates and look into a long term solution for the nitrates.

If you want some solutions, it might be a good idea to post some details about your setup / husbandry.

[sirruckus]

90 gallon reef tank with one corner overflow & opposite side return, (2) 950 gph powerheads. Estimate 75lbs Live rock with fine sand bed.

-estimate 30 gallon multi chamber sump with:
-Marineland Pro 300 skimmer first chamber with return line - no filter sock
-one free chamber with heater and sensors
-Sedra 7000 return pump in last chamber with nano sized powerhead to keep circulation in sump & ehiem canister filter acting as a reactor filled with the red ceramic balls, introduced this when trying to seed zeobak

P.H. around 8.2
Temprature 80.5-81.5
Magnesium 1100ppm-1300ppm

I'll get my other readings when I'm at home tonight

[Parker]

Originally Posted by waynemah

Since it's to the point where there are casualties, it might be a good idea to try and reduce the nitrates fairly quick.

I would perform a 20% water change every 2 days until the nitrates are in check. During this time look for the cause of the nitrates and look into a long term solution for the nitrates.

Agreed, I only meant for a very large water change, 80% etc.

If the fish are already stressed from the high nitrates, adding in the stress of acclimation to a very large water change isn't the best option, unless you have no choice. In which case, you do what you have too.

[Aquattro]

I would have no concerns doing a 80% water change. Just be sure it's very close to the existing water in all parameters you can measure. Temp, pH, Ca, etc..And don't use a different salt

[ocean diver]

How often do you clean your canister filter?