Can't get nitrates <10ppm

[NedFlounders]

The passed 2 weeks I've noticed my 2 torch corals not extending as far as they used to (if they extended 4 inches, now they extend 2") and my zoanthids not opening up as much either. The only parameter I can't seem to reduce is nitrates. They are consistently around 10ppm (based on Red Sea test kit).

Current params:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10ppm
Alkalinity = 7.5
Ph = 8.2
Salinity = 1.025 (I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt)

My first thought was over feeding, but I only feed once a day and the 5 fish I have so far devour what I drop in (brine shrimp and small piece of nori). The clean up crew seem to always be active and i do a 30% water change every 2 weeks.

One additional note: I've been noticing tiny pieces of white debris floating around the tank...maybe detritus or leftover organic matter? it's not a lot of it, but enough to notice when you put your face to the tank.

Here's a few pics if they help...
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/wesleySniper_2008/9362A1CE-7FFA-4E8F-9422-300B0F3027C6.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/wesleySniper_2008/5754C89F-DF16-4A79-B5CD-F29DB50581B5.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/wesleySniper_2008/219ECCF4-5041-42CE-ACD0-00A585BE96AB_2.jpg

 

[Jrambo88]

I don't think 10ppm nitrates would cause torches not to fully extend. 10 really isn't too high. My LPS tank is happy with around 5-10 and I get great extension. I noticed my corals are so much happier too especially my torches dosing KZ LPS amino acids and phols.

 

[Mark9]

if your kh is 7.5 and you are using red sea coral pro salt, something is not right.
That salt mixes at 12.2 kh @ 1.025.
Check your testing, especially your sg.
And what is your ca?

 

[CuzzA]

If you're going to keep stony corals you need to monitor calcium, alkalinity, phosphates (Hanna Checker) and magnesium too.

 

[homer1475]

Could the white things be pod exoskeletons? I have several floating around my tank at any given time, and it had me worried my pods were dying off, but was told on here that pods molt like any other invert and what I was seeing is their molt floating around.

FYI, my nitrates are at 5ppm and all my euphyllia are super happy and fully extended.

 

[NedFlounders]

if your kh is 7.5 and you are using red sea coral pro salt, something is not right.
That salt mixes at 12.2 kh @ 1.025.
Check your testing, especially your sg.
And what is your ca?

Hmm, I'll retest tonight and check the kh. I haven't done a calcium test before. I am going to grab a test kit at lunch for calcium, magnesium, and phosphates.

Homer1475, the white stuff I'm noticing is a bit larger and shaped differently than pod skeletons (i think). The stuff I'm seeing seems more "flaky".

 

[scooter31707]

Are you using any type of bioballs, filter socks, or any type of pads.

 

[NedFlounders]

I use a filter sock but I replace/wash it every 4 days.

 

[scooter31707]

ok. Do you have any dead spots maybe in the tank where food and fish poop possibly may could settle.

 

[CuzzA]

Taking a complete shot in the dark, without knowing your test results... I suspect your magnesium is too low, salinity is too high AND/OR improper mixing of saltwater and the result is you're precipitating calcium carbonate. That would explain the white flakes floating around the tank. Is your equipment covered in what looks like a white dust?

 

[NedFlounders]

ok. Do you have any dead spots maybe in the tank where food and fish poop possibly may could settle.

Yeah that is possible. There are 2 areas where I've noticed a "collection" (not sure what to call it) of darker colored STUFF on the sandbed:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/wesleySniper_2008/B5B91C66-4DA4-4BC3-9B6D-A64206E7EDE6.jpg

Is it possible that this is where the flow happens to deposit everything that isn't filtered and/or eaten?

Cuzza, nothing seems to be covered in white stuff...mostly diatoms I think.

 

[NedFlounders]

I uploaded a vid to show the white stuff flying around in the water column. Photobucket seems to automatically reduce the resolution but you can still see it...

any ideas??

http://vid299.photobucket.com/albums/mm319/wesleySniper_2008/38B0DAFA-6A91-4B2B-8754-54DA13113B7C.mp4

 

[CuzzA]

Is there a white haze like coating on your pumps? Did you ever get the rest of your test kits? If so what are the results?

If you're still experiencing your diatom bloom your tank may still be too young to support sensitive life like corals.

 

[NedFlounders]

Is there a white haze like coating on your pumps? Did you ever get the rest of your test kits? If so what are the results?

If you're still experiencing your diatom bloom your tank may still be too young to support sensitive life like corals.

morning Cuzza...na, no white stuff on the pumps either. I did get the test kit last night but I need to do it again because my results didn't make sense.

I did adjust the direction of the powerheads last night in an attempt to move any dead spots. I'll try the testing again tonight.

 

[Mark9]

FYI
If you click the word "direct" top right in photobucket, it will copy the picture url, then you click the "insert image" icon in your rc post, paste the url and then we can see the picture in stream.

 

[NedFlounders]

Ok, I went home at lunch and took measurements again. Here's what I think I have:

Calcium: 460ppm
Alkalinity: 8.4dKh
Magnesium: 1400mg/L

So here's where I need confirmation because I'm a little confused on how to read the results :\ I'm unclear exactly where "the bottom of the plunger" is according to the instructions.

Here is the final measure for calcium. Can someone please tell me what you would determine this reading as?

 

[ChuckNasty]

I can tell you that #1 is the bottom of the plunger.

 

[Mark9]

Yes, you read the plunger, #1.
If assuming you used the bottom of the plunger to fill with 1ml.
So you have roughly .28 left, used .72.
Watch the video below, explains plunger around 2:00
btw, .72 is only 360.

 

[NedFlounders]

Mark9, yeah that video helped. Thanks! So it looks my calcium IS what you said at about 360, meaning it's a bit low.

I was told by a friend that coralline algae is a great indicator for calcium. That being said, I've had an explosion of coralline growth lately. So maybe it's possible that the increase of coralline is the culprit here?

 

[m0nkie]

10ppm nitrate is not bad at all. I try to keep mine around 5-10ppm.. FYI, I had my tank run on 40-60ppm nitrate for half a year. corals were not effected by it. anemones were not so happy so I brought it down.

I believe your corals are responding to low alk/calc. coralline algae will drain both those #s