help w nitrates

i tested my water a few weeks ago and my nitrites were really high...my sailfin tang was swimming in flips about every other hour..but he was still eating. i did about a 40 % water change and everything was ok . but today i tested again and still they are high... and harlequin tusk looks like he has a little fin rot...


would about a 70-80 % water change be a good idea? or another smaller one?
any other idaes?

 

i have a 180 fowlr.

 

do a 20% now, then 2marow do another 20%...Smaller frequent water changes are better then one large water changes...after you do those 2 water changes, test the water again and see how it is, if it isnt down enough then do another 20% and so on.

 

ok thanks alot... and would dosing with vodka help? i have read it will but have no clue so i dont really wanna try it.

 

I wouldnt do it, water changes are best for getting rid of nitrates..

Just do that and see what it does.

 

ok thank you

 

How high are these nitrates? 20? 300?

 

300..haha! i would like to se a tank with 300ppm one day.

 

Not exactly. Water changes dilute nitrate by a slight removal. Water changes to "cure" imbalances or other issues are never a cure only a band-aid at best.

Don't dose Vodka if you are unfamiliar with the process. Trying to address the root cause(s) is the more prudent way of going at the problem. Macro in the display or sump/refugium and getting control over excess nutrients are the real "cure" for nitrates.

 

do you use ro/di water?