Nitrate levels

10-01-2012, 10:49 AM

Hi all,
Got a super noob question here. I was doing WC and realise that after a 20% water change, my nitrate level was still at 160ppm or more (Max that the api liquid tester would go) so i decided to do another 20% water change the next day. After the second WC, i did another test and found tat the nitrate level dropped to 20 or 40ppm (cant decide between the colors). Any ideas why this could be the case? In theory, if i changed 20% of the water, the 160ppm should drop by only 20% right? Or is it just a plain testing error? Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

Regards,
Brian

10-01-2012, 10:57 AM

It could be that your nitrate level was way above 160ppm. Liquid tester has its limitation.

Ircknight · 10-01-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianchu

Hi all,
Got a super noob question here. I was doing WC and realise that after a 20% water change, my nitrate level was still at 160ppm or more (Max that the api liquid tester would go) so i decided to do another 20% water change the next day. After the second WC, i did another test and found tat the nitrate level dropped to 20 or 40ppm (cant decide between the colors). Any ideas why this could be the case? In theory, if i changed 20% of the water, the 160ppm should drop by only 20% right? Or is it just a plain testing error? Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

Regards,
Brian

What fish and tank size you have?

10-01-2012, 11:24 AM

7x2.5x2ft with sump tank, 5 aros and 5 8-9inch rays!

Yea i think i went across the 160ppm limit lol, but after i did another water change it went down to 40ppm. which is very wierd becoz it was only a 20% water change. can it make such a big difference?

canopy · 10-01-2012, 11:27 AM

20% change will not drop the nitrate level from 140ppm to 20/40 ppm. Maybe you need another testkits (probably liquid type) and confirm the actual reading.

angelo · 10-01-2012, 11:32 AM

First of all, your tank bioload is solid!

Your reading on NO3 before and after water change is normal.

Calling experts to provide answer.

Ircknight · 10-01-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianchu

7x2.5x2ft with sump tank, 5 aros and 5 8-9inch rays!

Yea i think i went across the 160ppm limit lol, but after i did another water change it went down to 40ppm. which is very wierd becoz it was only a 20% water change. can it make such a big difference?

Bioload too high =)

Oneiromancer · 10-01-2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianchu

Hi all,
Got a super noob question here. I was doing WC and realise that after a 20% water change, my nitrate level was still at 160ppm or more (Max that the api liquid tester would go) so i decided to do another 20% water change the next day. After the second WC, i did another test and found tat the nitrate level dropped to 20 or 40ppm (cant decide between the colors). Any ideas why this could be the case? In theory, if i changed 20% of the water, the 160ppm should drop by only 20% right? Or is it just a plain testing error? Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

Regards,
Brian

Gut feel says testing error the first time round. If your nitriate was so high (above testing limit) , I think some of your lifestock might have died. Anyway, it sounds like you may need to up the frequency of your water changing regime.

kenneth_yong · 10-01-2012, 12:01 PM

hi bro, if you did the test right after wc; is it possible that the new water was not mix well into with your tank water yet? not so sure, was thinking this might be the cause as it shouldn't drop by that much for 20% wc providing the test kit is doing good

10-01-2012, 12:01 PM

I think something is not right somewhere.

One way to find out the accurate reading is to do another nitrate test.

Do keep us update results.

10-01-2012, 10:49 AM	#1
brianchu Guest Posts: n/a	Nitrate levels Hi all, Got a super noob question here. I was doing WC and realise that after a 20% water change, my nitrate level was still at 160ppm or more (Max that the api liquid tester would go) so i decided to do another 20% water change the next day. After the second WC, i did another test and found tat the nitrate level dropped to 20 or 40ppm (cant decide between the colors). Any ideas why this could be the case? In theory, if i changed 20% of the water, the 160ppm should drop by only 20% right? Or is it just a plain testing error? Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks! Regards, Brian

10-01-2012, 10:57 AM	#2
datseasy Guest Posts: n/a	It could be that your nitrate level was way above 160ppm. Liquid tester has its limitation.

10-01-2012, 11:24 AM	#4
brianchu Guest Posts: n/a	7x2.5x2ft with sump tank, 5 aros and 5 8-9inch rays! Yea i think i went across the 160ppm limit lol, but after i did another water change it went down to 40ppm. which is very wierd becoz it was only a 20% water change. can it make such a big difference?

10-01-2012, 11:27 AM	#5
canopy Dragon Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,451	20% change will not drop the nitrate level from 140ppm to 20/40 ppm. Maybe you need another testkits (probably liquid type) and confirm the actual reading.

10-01-2012, 11:32 AM	#6
angelo Senior Dragon Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,515	First of all, your tank bioload is solid! Your reading on NO3 before and after water change is normal. Calling experts to provide answer.

10-01-2012, 12:01 PM	#9
kenneth_yong Arofanatic Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 268	hi bro, if you did the test right after wc; is it possible that the new water was not mix well into with your tank water yet? not so sure, was thinking this might be the cause as it shouldn't drop by that much for 20% wc providing the test kit is doing good

10-01-2012, 12:01 PM	#10
spotted Guest Posts: n/a	I think something is not right somewhere. One way to find out the accurate reading is to do another nitrate test. Do keep us update results.

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