Hyposalinity Nitrates on the rise...

[nuxx]

Hey guys...

Quick question...

I've been in hypo in my display for about 12 days now (1.0085) and noticed that after the first few days I had a little spike in ammonia (.02 - .05).

The ammonia has now dropped off and now I'm seeing a large increase in nitrates (35-40 ppm).

I'm curious what caused the rise in nitrates? Just bacteria working again?

What should I do to lower the nitrates? Water change??? Thought that just might raise the ammonia again...

Any thoughts or suggestions would really help

BTW: Also noticed a few spots on my Black Tang today. What's the possibility and is it likely given ich's life cycle to show up after 12 days being in hypo? Using two a refractometer and hydrometer to measure salinity.

 

[wooden_reefer]

Nitrification bacteria are not affected much by hypo if not sudden drop.

Likely many things died due to hypo and the nitrification bacteria is overloaded.

Is the DT a FO tank? If so, just allow the nitrate to level off.

 

[nuxx]

Nitrification bacteria are not affected much by hypo if not sudden drop.

Likely many things died due to hypo and the nitrification bacteria is overloaded.

Is the DT a FO tank? If so, just allow the nitrate to level off.

Right now it's FO, didn't get a chance to add coral before I noticed a few spots on my YB Blue Tang about 2 months ago.

It was one of the 3 fish I had for years that I didn't QT, the other new fish were QTed.

So just let it ride, when should I worry about nitrate PPM levels?
Will the nitrates go down? Or will they just level out at say 60ppm for example?

After hypo is over, just raise salinity by doing water changes... that way I can raise the salinity slowly and also take out the nitrates. Good idea?

 

[nuxx]

I guess the only real way to get the nitrates out will be to turn the skimmer up a bit?

Not sure about doing water changes during hypo...

Also... what levels of nitrates will really bother fish?

 

[Newsmyrna80]

My understanding is that 35-40 ppm in a FOWLR is nothing to panic over. Try reading some FAQs here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/NO3ProbSW14.htm

 

[nuxx]

Guessing the bacteria has woken up and turned my ammonia into nitrates. I guess with hundreds of pounds of rock and sand, a lot of stuff has died...

I've read skimmers don't work well in hypo, but mine's doing well. I just bumped it up a bit... going to try to skim as much out as possible.

Noticed the one little aiptasia is completely gone, so is a lot of the algae. Both good...

I guess if the nitrates stay below 100 ppm, it should be ok. Better nitrates than ammonia...