High Nitrate Levels and Algae Growth

J

JesterAAK

AC Members
Aug 23, 2004
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0
Allenhurst, NJ
I tested the nitrate levels in my 55 the other day to find them rather high. I've also noticed a brown algal growth on my sand, rocks, and glass.

Is the algal growth a result of high Nitrate levels?

I have a deep sand bed but that doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I'd like to invest in some clean up critters to rid the algae, but fear the high nitrate levels would be bad for them (I believe I read about that somewhere). Any tips on reducing nitrate levels?
 
water changes :( thats the only way thats worked for me. although i havent tried any of the chemicals that supposidly reduce nitrates
 
I can't remember how long your tank has been set up, but it might just be the usual diatom bloom that happens in most newer tanks. The high nitrate doesn't help (and I bet your phosphate levels are also pretty high right now).

Others may have had different experiences, but I have never seen a hermit or snail suffer in a tank with high nitrate. I would get a clean up crew into the tank and let them get to work on the algae. The longer you let the algae get, the harder it will be to get under control. Astrea and turbo snails are excellent grazers. Ceriths and strombus are also good, but smaller and don't eat as much. For hermits, I really like scarlets, because they seem to spend more time on the rocks eating algae rather than scavenging, and seem to be more peaceful. I also use blue legs, but have seen them assault the occasional snail.

I agree with caz about the water changes. One thing that will probably help is time. When I first set up my tank, the nitrate went above 80, and then slowly crept down to about 15 over the course of about 6 months, even though I was doing 20% water changes weekly. It was probably because the live rock was still maturing.


You might also think about a refugium, filled with growing macroalgae that will consume the nitrate.
 
I have always followed the rule of thumb that brown algae and high nitrate was a sign of overfeeding. I don't know if it's true but when my nitrate rises I cut back on feeding and within a week it is back to normal. No AUCE for the fishies!
 
Hi! DO NOT USE CHEMICALS TO LOWER NITRATE. I USED AMQUEL PLUS FOR THE SAME CONDITIONS YOU MENTION. I USED IT ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIONS AND IT SAID SAFE FOR SALTWATER FISH... HOURS LATER, ALL MY FISH WERE DEAD... I'M STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY...

VAL
 
Same Problem

Hi. I have the same problem. My 46 gal is two months old, fish seem fine but crabs and snails are dying. They clean up good while alive. Nitrate is at 80+.
Maybe I am overfeeding, I'll cut back, and maybe tank is too new. But I checked my tap water and it is at about 20 at least. I did a 20% change last night and it didn't make any difference, still at 80.

Is time all I need? And what about a faucet filter (hopefully cheap) for water changes. Although thier descriptions don't mention nitrates.

Thanks,
Mark
 
Use a dechlorinator that removes nitrate and let the water sit for at least a day before you do water changes and topoffs. (Don't add the dechlorinator directly to the main tank.)
 
Print6196 to answer your question yes and no. That sounds like a diatom bloom to me. It will use the nitrates and other polutants but, it needs free silica in the water. After your tank ages for a while it should all be taken out of the water and the brown algae will be replaiced by green ;)
Chris
 
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