What is a safe nitrate level for clean up crew

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fmuakkassa

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Dec 6, 2002
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I have been battling high nitrate levels for a while (now in the 25-50 ppm Salifert test). I want to add a clean up crew and I read they are sensitive to high nitrates. How high is high for the critters (Cerith snails, Nassarius snails, Trouch snails, Scarlet Hermit crab, Peppermint shrimp).

Thanks
 
Nitrates

Unfortunatly, they dont do well under a small trace of nitrates. Inverts are more sensitive then fish could ever be.

I would suggest taking care of that nitrate problem first.

How oftrn do you feed? Water changes?? Have you recently found a mort that might have possiably raised your lvls?

Also when you do water chages and replacing water are you using tap water?? RO would be better since you wont have a constant battle with nitrates and phosphates.
 
I am trying to take care of the nitrate problem. No recent deaths though. I used to feed twice a day now I feed once and smaller amount. Was not doing regular water changes now plan on 30g change every week till nitrates are down. Plan to add more live rock and slowly get rid of the Bioballs from the initial wet/dry filtration system. I use RO only.
Thanks for the reply.
 
Good game play

Sounds like you had a game plan all along. You didnt need out help. Now your just being modest:p
 
Yes I have a game plan to lower my nitrates but still need the help of the members of this forum as I still don't know at which level of nitrate it is safe to add a clean up crew (my original post)
 
Nitrates should be kept as low as possible with regular water changes. Since nitrates are the end of the nitrogen cycle, have you checked your ammonia and nitrite levels recently to be sure they are within safe ranges? Ideally, they should both be at 0. If not, you may have found the root of your problem.

In a reef tank nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm, but closer to 0 ppm is ideal. Levels above 25 ppm can harm corals and inverts.

You should only do a 10% water change each month. Better yet, do a 2.5% water change weekly (your water volume X .025). Over-doing a water change only forces the tank to begin the nitrogen cycle all over again.
I hope this answers your question, good luck!:)
 
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Iv'e heard and seen people be successful doing weekly 10% water changes and other people almost never doing a water change. My point is that there is no set guideline that works for everyone. IMHO, I would do weekly 10% water changes until you get the nitrates down and then try to settle into a weekly or monthly routine to maintain nitrates at your desired level.
Brian
 
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If you remove a majority of the old water, doesn't it in effect become a "new tank" again? I know I've seen it posted many times on freshwater boards that people will do a massive water change in effort to remedy some water problem, then they wonder why they've got cloudy water (bacterial bloom), because the tank is cycling once again.

Anyway, if you'll do some reading in some of the popular reef tank books (such as Natural Reef Aquariums by Tullock) you'll see that they suggest doing smaller, more frequent water changes. Tullock states that 5% a week is reasonable. The idea is to keep fluctuations in water chemistry and quality to a minimum and that is best accomplished with small, frequent water changes. Marine fish and inverts are sensitive to changes in the water parameters, more so than freshwater fish.

Large, monthly water changes are the norm for freshwater aquarists and they can usually get away with it, but saltwater is totally different in it's make-up and there are many essential minor and trace elements that are only replenished by adding new saltwater to the tank.
I realize everyone has their opinions on water changes, I'm just stating exactly what many successful reefkeeping authors have stated many times over. Good luck.
 
The large majority of denitrating bacteria reside in your live rock and substrate (or filter media if you use it). Therefore, IMHO large water changes will not harn your tank's denitrating abilities.
That said, when performing water changes you should try to mimic your tanks current S.G. and tempature in your replacement water to reduce any stress to your inhabitants.
While many successful SW hobbiests have different approaches to water changes, I think most would agree that an aggressive, (10% or more weekly), water change strategy is a good method for combating many tank problems. JMHO
Brian
 
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