few questions about nitrates

i have a 20g FOWLR, running for 3 months, 2 weeks with the livestock. only ever used tap water, i know the benefits and reason to use RO/DI water - can't now, one day. so here's my questions:

1) what actually consume nitrates in the SW/reef aquarium?

2) i guess my SW master test kit won't be any good for testing nitrate of my pure tap water?

3) with a total of at least a half dozen tests since i set up the tank, i have never got any readings other than 0 for nitrate, whether it be 10 days after a water change or like today just hours after changing 20%, 8 hrs later, 0 nitrate. can i assume that i don't have high levels of it in my tap water?

(livestock: 1 common clown, i green chromis, 1 cleaner shrimp, 3 hermits, i astraea snail)

:newbie:

scott b said:

"bacteria consumes nitrates".1. ammonia, 2.nitrites, 3.nitrates.it comes from coral line alage that on your live rock,sand bed. and all of that comes from waste, animals corals dying...I have 3-130 gallon tanks&a75 gallon.thats just salt watter. then raise fancey tal guppies. i have pic if u would like to see theem. hows the ammonia"&all the other chemicals

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ty, sure pics would be great.

i forgot to mention i always dechlorinate the tap water before use.

SG 1.023
temp 78
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0

just checked all of that in the last hour. my live rock have purple on them and some started growing on the glass, but i've since scraped that off

one day i'll get an RO unit, but i've already blown 700 on this 20, and thats not even with fancy lights, now the holidays are coming etc. i know people who have corals and such and they use straight tap water - no dechlor even for evap top ups lol, they've had their animals for years. but they buy pre-mixed SW for water changes. they NEVER check water parameters, don't even use a thermometer. :duh:

i haven't tested my tap water for anything as i figure i'd need a freshwater test kit - thats why i was asking if a saltwater one would work, i can't see how it would tho. i know i have to be extra meticulous with this small tank, but i figure with these beginner creatures, i should be ok with tap water in a simple FOWLR. i'm sure many are doing the same as me. ahhh. so much to learn, read in this branch of the hobby!

much appreciated :hi:

Cory Keeper said:

Nemo, I'm new to SW myself, and just in the planning stages, but the way I see it, if you want to keep a reef, best to get an RO/DI unit.

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absolutely, thats always been my plan, but this was never going to be anything but a FOWLR. i need experience before i get into a reef tank. that is the purpose of me setting up this 20g in the first place. and a refugium? wouldn't know where to begin, googling just makes me get lost with all the ideas and options and suggestions. i need more exposure - reading, shopping before i'd know what i need, how to set up, maintain etc. ty for the help everyone.


hey btw, how come nobody uses distilled water for water changes? i know some use it for top ups for evap....