Ok my tank has been running now for about a month, it has cycled, had the ammonia spike, nitrite spike and was able to dose ammonia to 2 ppm and have it processed in under 18 hrs. about 2 weeks ago. My problem is Nitrates, they are very high like 80ppm using the red sea test kit. I have done about 8 (50) gallon water changes over the course of the last 2 weeks and nitrates are still 80ppm. My tank is empty. After it cycled about 2 weeks ago i did leave some pellets in a mesh bag to feed the bacteria but have now taken that out. This last week nothing has been in the tank and they still won't come down.
Problem is how expensive and time consuming these water changes are getting with little results. I'm afraid to put a CUC in there to help with my diatom bloom because i heard that high nitrates and inverts is not good. Any suggestions on how i can battle these high nitrates? It seems to me these water changes are having little or no effect.
Problem is how expensive and time consuming these water changes are getting with little results. I'm afraid to put a CUC in there to help with my diatom bloom because i heard that high nitrates and inverts is not good. Any suggestions on how i can battle these high nitrates? It seems to me these water changes are having little or no effect.