High nitrates

[mbauma]

Hi Richard, I still have nitrates around 50 or so. I only have one small yellow wrasse and 2 skunk shrimp, plus what you gave me. I have 1 hammer coral in there. I did 1 25 gallon change and it really didn't lower it much.

I only feed 1/2 cube mysis a day and between the fish, shrimp and stars it's gone quickly. Maybe higher nitrates are normal for this type of system. Everything seems healthy and ammonia is zero still.

I've read where some people had nitrates in the 80's for years and never had any problems. I just don't want to chase numbers if it's ok and stuff is doing well. I also just added a nice zoa from DD yesterday.

I have 3 lyretails from DD in QT that will go into this tank soon.

 

[J2T]

Maybe try double checking your test kit, could have a bad one. Seems like its kind of high for that small of a bioload in that size tank.

 

[mbauma]

yeah, it's a red sea and new, but you never know. The nitrate range is all purple/pink, so kind of hard to tell.

There are 70 snails and a bunch of small hermits, urchins etc that came with part 2, but only 1 fish, the mantis, 2 peppermint, cucs etc.

 

[mbauma]

I checked my new saltwater and nitates were zero, so the kit is ok. I will do another water change.

 

[liverock]

I checked my new saltwater and nitates were zero, so the kit is ok. I will do another water change.

that is the best idea...and slow down on the food.....it will drop slowly...

sea ya
Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

 

[mbauma]

I'm only feeding 1/2 cube of mysis a day, is that too much?

 

[liverock]

I'm only feeding 1/2 cube of mysis a day, is that too much?

Give it a few days rest...and see what happens...

 

[mbauma]

I did a 25 gallon change and it dropped, but still around 40, kind of hard to tell with this kit, too much purple.

I guess no feeding for a couple days?

 

[SloppyJ]

Yeah you don't have to feed so often.

 

[mbauma]

What would you recommend with 1 fish? I had 2, but 1 died and the LFS guy said 1/2 cube a day for 2 fish.

I have 3 lyretails anthias in QT that are almost done and ready to move.

 

[Scorpius]

I am currently lowering my nitrates. Two clownfish in a 25 gal. I went to a small once a day feeding since I tend to overfeed. When I feed my corals I skip feeding the fish that day since they pig out on the coral food. :lmao: Algae is slowly subsiding coupled with running gfo.

 

[mbauma]

Yeah, but I have a 140 gallon and the food is all eaten. I guess I don't understand the high nitrates?

 

[mbauma]

Got an API kit it is at 40 as well. Guess I will not feed and monitor, but there is not much in the tank and the skimmer is working fine.

 

[SloppyJ]

Right now I have 3 fish in a 30g I feed 3 times per week. Just a pinch of pellets or a small piece of LRS like the size of an eraser.

 

[mbauma]

My anthias are done with QT, is it safe to put them into my DT? I know they need to eat more often than other fish.

I also added some prime.

 

[liverock]

Yeah, but I have a 140 gallon and the food is all eaten. I guess I don't understand the high nitrates?

Remember....you only used 1/2 of the recommended amount of live rock with your Package as you used all the dry rock you had from your previous tank.

So your tank is catching up to the bacteria level it needs, your dry rock needs to populate......would be my guess...

sea ya
Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

 

[mbauma]

Ok, thanks Richard.

When can I expect coralline to start growing on my old base rock?

Any reason why I never got diatoms, or has it not happened yet?

 

[mbauma]

Should I add some more of your rock?

 

[liverock]

Should I add some more of your rock?

You could...but you have a pretty full tank....just wait it out...the dry rock will colonize over time....and you will be ok....in the meantime just make small water changes it the nitrates get over 40ppm...

sea ya
Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

 

[mbauma]

Thanks, thoughts about not getting any diatoms yet? Best guess for coralline algae to start growing?