red sea nitrate test

[jon evans]

hey reefers,

I've been using api test kits for a while and switched to red sea for better accuracy but I'm getting consistent readings of 50ppm...i had a quarter sized anemone get sucked up into a powerhead a couple days ago and done a 5gallon water change using purified sea water for the past 2 days and no change in nitrate still 50ppm

any help?

tank is 20g tall
20g sump
reef octopus protein skimmer
refugium
lighting ai prime and giesman t5 bulbs

other params
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 50ppm

 

[GoVols]

hey reefers,

I've been using api test kits for a while and switched to red sea for better accuracy but I'm getting consistent readings of 50ppm...i had a quarter sized anemone get sucked up into a powerhead a couple days ago and done a 5gallon water change using purified sea water for the past 2 days and no change in nitrate still 50ppm

any help?

tank is 20g tall
20g sump
reef octopus protein skimmer
refugium
lighting ai prime and giesman t5 bulbs

other params
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 50ppm

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef.

Personally I like the Salifert nitrate kit but never tried the Red Sea.
Are you using a pure RODI water unit with a TDS meter for your water that you mix new salt water with?
Have you tested your freshly mixed salt water with the Red Sea kit?

 

[jon evans]

hey so its just the tank water that is causing issues my ro and fresh mix is all good to go.. my sand bed is cm or 2 thick so idk why theres an issue

 

[GoVols]

hey so its just the tank water that is causing issues my ro and fresh mix is all good to go.. my sand bed is cm or 2 thick so idk why theres an issue

Many things could be the factor.
Maybe this article can help you out.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/8/chemistry

 

[jon evans]

many reasons including a rainbow bubble tip spitting out a filefish lol literally just watched a weird looking thing come out of its mouth... it was alive 2 days ago and now its all bones

 

[GoVols]

many reasons including a rainbow bubble tip spitting out a filefish lol literally just watched a weird looking thing come out of its mouth... it was alive 2 days ago and now its all bones

Welp,
(lol) That will do it.

 

[jon evans]

Welp,
(lol) That will do it.

it was at 50ppm when it was alive so I'm not sure if that did it but il have to test after this water change currently still 50ppm

 

[GoVols]

it was at 50ppm when it was alive so I'm not sure if that did it but il have to test after this water change currently still 50ppm

Can you post some pictures of your tank and sump showing all your fish / Bta Bio load in your 20 gallon tall?

 

[jon evans]

 

[GoVols]

Tank looks good to me.
Just an FYI don't over feed the BTA. I have not spot fed mine in two years. (What goes in a bta, will come out)
Is your skimmer doing good? Have you broke it down and cleaned the pinwheel / magnet shaft etc...?

Can you do a 50% water change and re-check the nitrates?

 

[jon evans]

Tank looks good to me.
Just an FYI don't over feed the BTA. I have not spot fed mine in two years. (What goes in a bta, will come out)
Is your skimmer doing good? Have you broke it down and cleaned the pinwheel / magnet shaft etc...?

Can you do a 50% water change and re-check the nitrates?

cleaning my mp 10 in white vinegar and do the same with skimmer once a month

just did 10g change hoping it helps

 

[GoVols]

just did 10g change hoping it helps

Tagging
Don't want to make your bta split.

 

[jon evans]

bta never split in my tank lol i had 10 at one point of different varieties never a split... so news.... 2 lfs test my water one came back at 15ppm and another at 30ppm my test still at 50ppm

 

[GoVols]

bta never split in my tank lol i had 10 at one point of different varieties never a split... so news.... 2 lfs test my water one came back at 15ppm and another at 30ppm my test still at 50ppm

What test kits brands did they use?
I like the Salifert for nitrates.

 

[jon evans]

What test kits brands did they use?
I like the Salifert for nitrates.

they used api and i didn't see the other one it was something they dipped in. both not accurate but still big difference for me I'm wondering if i have bad reagent

 

[GoVols]

they used api and i didn't see the other one it was something they dipped in. both not accurate but still big difference for me I'm wondering if i have bad reagent

I got a bad Red Sea Pro cal. refill kit at the first of the year. First time ever. It read 90ppm too low.

 

[Reef man 89]

Might sounds dumb but are you doing the test exactly how the manual says to? I have the same kit and if you don't do it to a T it will be off. If it says to add powder B and cap it and shake it for 60sec use a timer and shake for the full amount of time. Don't guess estimate

 

[GoVols]

Might sounds dumb but are you doing the test exactly how the manual says to? I have the same kit and if you don't do it to a T it will be off. If it says to add powder B and cap it and shake it for 60sec use a timer and shake for the full amount of time. Don't guess estimate

Good to know.

I trust the Salifert.

 

[jon evans]

Good to know.

I trust the Salifert.

done another test and I'm thinking closer to 2ppm.... my browned out christmas tree monti even has some colour in it coming back

so weird i don't know what happened no water change done

 

[GoVols]

done another test and I'm thinking closer to 2ppm.... my browned out christmas tree monti even has some colour in it coming back

so weird i don't know what happened no water change done

Is that a Xenia in your tank?