Nirate levels (how High)

[LuisA]

How high do you let your Nitrate levels get before a water change? I am finishing up my fuge and will have cheato in there to help. But at what point should i do the water change?
thanks

 

[bige11]

Some nitrates are good (ie around 5ppm), but I wouldn't change my water based on nitrates. I would develop a schedule and change my water based on that schedule. There are more things to consider than nitrates when you change your water! (ie trace elements, organics, etc.) I freshen my tank up weekly with a 10% change.

 

[LuisA]

I plan on a water change every 2weeks unless i find something out of wack.

 

[imcosmokramer]

Also, find the source for your high nitrates. are you overfeeding, underskimming, etc.

 

[subielover]

Some nitrates are good (ie around 5ppm), but I wouldn't change my water based on nitrates. I would develop a schedule and change my water based on that schedule. There are more things to consider than nitrates when you change your water! (ie trace elements, organics, etc.) I freshen my tank up weekly with a 10% change.

+1

10% weekly water changes seem to be better than 20% every 2 weeks in my experience.

 

[stunreefer]

Most coral begin to show signs of high NO3 around 20 PPM , some even at 10 PPM.

Fish can handle much, much higher levels, upwards of 200 PPM.

 

[jtl2]

10% water change per week. My nitrates have been at zero, or very near 0.5ppm, for a year and I still do regular water changes (credit the macro algae).

 

[THEMADREEFER]

What kind of coral do you plan to keep if any? That will determine where an acceptable nitrate level would be.

 

[tangdiver]

Keep it undetectable, unless you have a grow out tank for lagoonal types of corals. Mushrooms, some zoo's, and such.

But most like pristine waters.

 

[ReeferBill]

I usually keep my nitrates under 5, but I have had them higher than 40ppm, and the corals adapted to the change, if it was slow. I advise to take it slow reducing high nitrates to avoid any problems.