Nitrate Levels

Sooo just tested my levels after a recent tank move. I lost my sally light foot due to very high salinity. Right now pH is 8.4, nitrites are zero along with ammonia. Nitrate on the other hand, looks like 40 maybe even 80 on the API test kit.

What does this mean and how do I bring it down? This is the first time it's been above zero. I know most people will eat me alive on here but I do use tap water...

 

Water changes with RO/DI.

 

Vacuum whatever detrius out of your tank you can. If you have a sump, vacuum it out as well. Change your filters. Do water changes.

Your fish will probably ride it out with no problem and your shrimp too. If you have any corals, with that nitrate level, they will not be very happy.

Good luck.

 

Just do water changes, it will eventually go down to zero to close to it,

 

Just do water changes, thats the best advice really most people can tell you..That and to help keep it down, dont feed as much, dont target feed corals as much.

 

RO/DI mixed with the appropiate amount of salt;D

 

Moving a tank will stur up all sorts of crap, and if some of it moved with the water/rocks, it most likely decomposed, turning eventually into nitrates. When I moved my tank, nitrates went from <10 to >80! Drain your tank to 50%, then change out 25-30% of the remaining water two or three times, and then fill up. Your nitrates will be drastically lower.

 

Did you relocate the sand? i understand that can cause problems.

 

Keeping the old sand during a move never worked for me. You can try draining the tank to 40-50% fill back up to 75-80% and then drain to 40-50% and then fill back up. I did this once and it lowered them but not enough for me. I ended up upgrading to a 180 from a 55. That solved it.;D

 

Yeah I did keep my old sand. I didn't have a lot though and when I set it back up I added more sand. How long does it usually take? I literally moved three blocks and the move took an hour and a half...

Also how long before this becomes a problem for livestock?