Today we did a massive clean up of the sides of the tank. The previous owners had allowed a large build up of coral, salt, etc on all sides of the tank. We did the front when we first got it and we did a more thorough cleaning today, including the back. Now I'm wondering if that could cause a spike in nitrates with all the gunk we stirred up? I'm planning on a water change tomorrow, I was only going to do 10%, should I plan on more? Is there anything else that can be done when the nitrates spike, besides a water change or is it just a ride it out type of thing?
Does cleaning the tank cause a nitrate spike?
- Thread starter AngieW
- Start date
I wouldn't expect a nitrate spike. Just make any changes slowly, in small amounts and over time...including big cleanups and water changes.
there is a good possibility that it could cause a small rise in nitrates..Nothing that the usual 10% water change will not sort out though...No need to worry about that...
Niko
Niko
If you think about it all the stuff was in the tank already, it's not like you added anything to the tank. And the easy way to find out is just test the water a couple hours after you clean and before you clean and check the results.
Germanman
My fish are my babies
if u stir up a lot u can get a small spike but if care is taken and not much is stirred up u should be fine.
What is the confusing part??.."Yes", it can create a small nitrate spike as stated in the thread.
Niko
What is so obviously NOT confusing? What IS confusing is, "Yes, it can, no it can't, maybe it could". I'm talking about the varied opinions in our responses. What the heck is she supposed to do? By now, she's figured it out for herself.
there is nothing confusing about a slight ammount of nitrate being released from scrubbing inside the tank....if you search the internet, it documented.
Niko
Niko
What is so obviously NOT confusing? What IS confusing is, "Yes, it can, no it can't, maybe it could". I'm talking about the varied opinions in our responses. What the heck is she supposed to do? By now, she's figured it out for herself.
FWIW, the fact is that saltwater aquariums are confusing. There will almost always be differing opinions on various issues. That's just how it is, you may not like that, but it's something everyone has to deal with and learn to figure out wich is right and wrong.
If there was no other changes made, and there was a spike in nitrate after cleaning the tank, then this did cause a nitrate spike. However, in minor weekly cleanings (scraping algae, blasting detrius from rocks) usually doesn't cause a noticable difference in water quality.