Nitrates in stores saltwater. How

[Yates273]

I just got a Hanna HR nitrates checker and it has been reading 75+ when I test my tank water. I know API not the best but when I test with that I get about 20ppm maybe a little higher Not sure what’s going on so I decided to test my storage water using both the Hanna and API. HANNA gave me a reading of 65 ppm and API gave me a reading of 0. What the heck is going on. How if the Hanna is right do I have nitrates in my storage water. I use Reef Crystals and usually make about 30 gallons and it sits in the Brute until I’m ready to use. Container is covered, with 2 pumps inside. I am puzzled. Could be why I’m having an algae issue as I am just dumping nitrate saltwater into my tank. Or can my Hanna tester be wrong?

 

[mwil79]

Did you test your ro water with a tds meter?

 

[Foxchase]

Personally, I trust my Hanna over api. But I do also have a red Sea and nyos nitrate that I have checked against the Hanna and they were all within range

 

[ericrodriguez]

Hanna it’s a better tester for sure! I would take the water to the local fish store and check though

 

[Yates273]

Did you test your ro water with a tds meter?

According to my meter coming out of RODI it’s 0 tds. What would cause nitrates in storage water?

 

[Yates273]

Personally, I trust my Hanna over api. But I do also have a red Sea and nyos nitrate that I have checked against the Hanna and they were all within range

All of my other Hanna testers are spot on. Not saying this one is not but I am confused. How can I have nitrates in storage water. Could that have anything to do with the fact I’m using Reef Crystals?

 

[diana a]

What container are you using? Is there a silicone hose in contact with the water?

 

[Yates273]

Using a Brute 30 gallon there are pvc pipes in container for the pumps and RODI tubing for the Dos AWC but that’s it and a float valve for my alarm

 

[mwil79]

Do you have a solenoid valve or a line break hooked up so water doesn't siphon back into your brute can?

 

[Yates273]

No solenoid I just have the line off of the DOS into the Brute to transfer the new water to the tank. I have not used it in a while though. Been doing 15 gallon water changes with buckets. The other pvc is hooked up to a mag pump and that fills up my bucket with the flip of a switch. The back siphon does makes sense but like I said haven’t used the AWC in a while and I just made water yesterday. Also is it possible to back siphon if hooked to a doser?

 

[Yates273]

So now I’m thinking here when I do the water changes with the buckets. After emptying water from tank into the bucket I just add salt and RODI to empty bucket dump in brute and let mix. I’m wondering if the residual that’s in the bucket could be my reason for nitrates, but 60 ppm seems pretty high. Will nitrates rise though. If anything it would be diluted to a minimum since I am adding fresh RODI.

 

[mwil79]

It would be minimal but nothing to remove it so I guess it's possible it could stay. It is possible to back siphon with a doser but the ends should not be under water to avoid that.

 

[Yates273]

It would be minimal but nothing to remove it so I guess it's possible it could stay. It is possible to back siphon with a doser but the ends should not be under water to avoid that.

The ends are not in water. I have it in sump above water line.