Clean up crew? Water changes ?
- Thread starter WendyCT
- Start date
JoshMO
New member
I'm not an expert by any means, but it seems like your tank might not have been properly cycled, or did not have enough time to cycle.
For the nitrogen cycle there are three important types of bacteria, one kind coverts the ammonia from fish waste and detritus into nitrite. Another kind converts that nitrite into nitrate. Both of these kinds of bacteria live on all the surfaces in your tank (sand, rock, decorations, etc) which is an oxygen rich location. The third kind of bacteria converts nitrate into N2 gas, but these bacteria only live in anoxic areas (areas mostly devoid of oxygen deeper in live rock or in deep sand beds usually).
That's a basic rundown of the nitrogen cycle, which you might have already known. The reason I bring it up is that if you are getting ammonia or nitrite readings, your bacteria population is probably not able to keep up with your bioload. From the test results you posted, it seems like your tank is cycling and I'd guess is almost done cycling (ammonia 0 and nitrites lower than before at .15). If this is the case, then the presence of high nitrates is on one hand a good thing; it's a sign that your ammonia and nitrite are being converted and your bacteria population is keeping up with the current bioload.
As for controlling nitrates, there are multiple ways of reducing them. One way is water changes, the nitrates in the water you take out are then gone, and you add water in that has zero nitrates lowering the overall nitrate concentration.
Another way is the use of macro algae. The macro algae uses the nitrates (and phosphates) in the water just like fertilizer for land plants. The nitrates are then bound in the algae, which you can prune when it gets overgrown; removing the nitrates that it has bound from your system. With high nitrates (and phosphates as well) you will generally get nuisance algae blooms for this same reason. Macro algae reduces the nitrates available to the nuisance algae helping control that as well.
Another way is the deep sand bed, which can take a long time to become effective (or so I read). This creates a home for that third type of bacteria I mentioned earlier that converts nitrate into N2 gas. The N2 gas will bubble out and be released into the air, removing the nitrogen from your system. However, deep sand beds after some time will "turn bad" apparently, eventually creating hydrogen sulfide. If the sand bed is disturbed and the hydrogen sulfide is released, it can cause your tank to "crash".
Yet another way is to use a nitrate reactor, which to be honest I know little about and have not read up on. However, I do not think they are very popular (I've rarely seen people mention one in their system set-ups etc).
Your skimmer also helps to reduce nitrates by removing dissolved organic compounds before they can be broken down. This is similar to removing uneaten food, you remove it before it has the chance to form ammonia.
You'll find many opinions of what works best and what doesn't. The best advice is to listen those who have been doing it for years like Rayjay and FishGrrl. I've noticed that often times it sounds as though experienced keepers seem overcautious because you will find Mr. John Doe who never changes his water or Ms. Susie Smith who has never used a skimmer and their tanks (seem to) work out great. You just can't rely on being one of the "lucky" ones when you are just starting out.
Despite going through at least somewhat of a cycle, it sounds like your horses are doing well. I'd keep a close eye on them though for a while to make sure they haven't suffered any damage. I'm sure Rayjay and FishGrrl have better advice for them though, as I'm very much still learning about keeping seahorses. Good luck!
I hope I was a little helpful and not just repeating things you already knew :deadhorse1:
For the nitrogen cycle there are three important types of bacteria, one kind coverts the ammonia from fish waste and detritus into nitrite. Another kind converts that nitrite into nitrate. Both of these kinds of bacteria live on all the surfaces in your tank (sand, rock, decorations, etc) which is an oxygen rich location. The third kind of bacteria converts nitrate into N2 gas, but these bacteria only live in anoxic areas (areas mostly devoid of oxygen deeper in live rock or in deep sand beds usually).
That's a basic rundown of the nitrogen cycle, which you might have already known. The reason I bring it up is that if you are getting ammonia or nitrite readings, your bacteria population is probably not able to keep up with your bioload. From the test results you posted, it seems like your tank is cycling and I'd guess is almost done cycling (ammonia 0 and nitrites lower than before at .15). If this is the case, then the presence of high nitrates is on one hand a good thing; it's a sign that your ammonia and nitrite are being converted and your bacteria population is keeping up with the current bioload.
As for controlling nitrates, there are multiple ways of reducing them. One way is water changes, the nitrates in the water you take out are then gone, and you add water in that has zero nitrates lowering the overall nitrate concentration.
Another way is the use of macro algae. The macro algae uses the nitrates (and phosphates) in the water just like fertilizer for land plants. The nitrates are then bound in the algae, which you can prune when it gets overgrown; removing the nitrates that it has bound from your system. With high nitrates (and phosphates as well) you will generally get nuisance algae blooms for this same reason. Macro algae reduces the nitrates available to the nuisance algae helping control that as well.
Another way is the deep sand bed, which can take a long time to become effective (or so I read). This creates a home for that third type of bacteria I mentioned earlier that converts nitrate into N2 gas. The N2 gas will bubble out and be released into the air, removing the nitrogen from your system. However, deep sand beds after some time will "turn bad" apparently, eventually creating hydrogen sulfide. If the sand bed is disturbed and the hydrogen sulfide is released, it can cause your tank to "crash".
Yet another way is to use a nitrate reactor, which to be honest I know little about and have not read up on. However, I do not think they are very popular (I've rarely seen people mention one in their system set-ups etc).
Your skimmer also helps to reduce nitrates by removing dissolved organic compounds before they can be broken down. This is similar to removing uneaten food, you remove it before it has the chance to form ammonia.
You'll find many opinions of what works best and what doesn't. The best advice is to listen those who have been doing it for years like Rayjay and FishGrrl. I've noticed that often times it sounds as though experienced keepers seem overcautious because you will find Mr. John Doe who never changes his water or Ms. Susie Smith who has never used a skimmer and their tanks (seem to) work out great. You just can't rely on being one of the "lucky" ones when you are just starting out.
Despite going through at least somewhat of a cycle, it sounds like your horses are doing well. I'd keep a close eye on them though for a while to make sure they haven't suffered any damage. I'm sure Rayjay and FishGrrl have better advice for them though, as I'm very much still learning about keeping seahorses. Good luck!
I hope I was a little helpful and not just repeating things you already knew :deadhorse1:
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I suggest macro plants for the extra nutrients. Some macro plants are very attractive and make a good post for the seahorses to latch on. I have a 34 gallon all in one tank and the skimmer is not very good. I have caulerpa prolifera and I keep it in the back of my tank and it helps.
