Nitrate issue

[Vadafallon]

I have a tank that was moved once to a new tank. In total the rock etc. have been in use since 2009. My Nitrates are 50ppm, zero phosphates and i have red slime issues. Mostly i am trying to figure out where my nitrates are coming from. I have completely replaced the crushed coral and it seems to have helped because the cyano is not coming back as fast. I am doing small 4 gallon water changes every 3-4 days and 4 days ago i added a beast of a skimmer. I hope that helps but i doubt it. The only other thing i can think of is the nitrates are in my rocks.

How to treat Nitrate in the live rock? Peroxide dip? Chemipure? My leathers are all mad at me and look very unhappy.

 

[mcgyvr]

Crushed coral is probably the issue there.. And just lack of maintenance in general..

Just do some larger water changes (50%) to cut nitrates in half each time..

Peroxide won't help.. Its really to oxidize algae to overpower its photo process..

You really just need to keep doing water changes to get it down. Then hope they stay down with regular smaller water changes.. If not then react then.. No need to do anything yet.. except for the water changes

 

[Vadafallon]

Ok thanks. I have yet to do a 50% change but i probably should. I was hoping the smaller ones would help but no good.

 

[Vadafallon]

Will the 50% water change affect my fish?

 

[AlSimmons]

When your doing these water changes you might want to get a small power head and blast your rocks with this. It's amazing what can accumulate in all the little nooks & crannies sometimes. Water changes are only going to dilute your Nitrates. You need to find the source and remove it. Nip it in the bud so to say.

Btw, as long as the parameters of your make up water are similar to that of your DT then everything should be ok.

 

[Vadafallon]

Yeah i have been trying to blast my main tank and refugium every day now to kick up everything so the skimmer will catch it.