nitrate question....
- Thread starter baldomero
- Start date
jason2459
Well-known member
6 fish, depending on the fish, will produce quite a bit of waste generating that nitrate.
I would suggest going slower to anyone starting out as 6 fish in the first couple months is quite fast. Give your system time to adjust to the bioload.
All in all though that's not a drastically high nitrate number. However, watch that ammonia level when stocking that quickly.
I would suggest going slower to anyone starting out as 6 fish in the first couple months is quite fast. Give your system time to adjust to the bioload.
All in all though that's not a drastically high nitrate number. However, watch that ammonia level when stocking that quickly.
FraggledRock
New member
sounds like you didn't give your tank enough time to cycle before introducing fish. you will be getting a lot of heat soon on here =P
ReefKeep66
New member
+1 lol
I'm confused why anyone would say this tank is not cycled?
First off, we don't know anything about HOW he cycled his tank. If he used pure ammonia to cycle it and didn't do a big water change, nitrates would be high FROM the cycle.
If the tank was cycled with a strong dose of ammonia, it wouldn't even be that unreasonable to stock 6 small fish right away.
Now that being said, if he stocked 6 adult fish right off the bat, could be a problem.
OP, are you seeing 0 ammonia and nitrites? How did you cycle your tank initially? Did you change a large portion of your water after the cycle? What fish and how big are the ones you added?
First off, we don't know anything about HOW he cycled his tank. If he used pure ammonia to cycle it and didn't do a big water change, nitrates would be high FROM the cycle.
If the tank was cycled with a strong dose of ammonia, it wouldn't even be that unreasonable to stock 6 small fish right away.
Now that being said, if he stocked 6 adult fish right off the bat, could be a problem.
OP, are you seeing 0 ammonia and nitrites? How did you cycle your tank initially? Did you change a large portion of your water after the cycle? What fish and how big are the ones you added?
Cycles; not cycle.
First, ammonia oxidation and nitrate oxidation to nitrate, this is the nitrification cycle. This is the most critcial as ammonia is toxic to fish and other organisms.Tpically a tank is safe for marine animals when ammonia is zero.
Then the denitrification ,ie, nitrate(NO3) is reduced to N as bacteria engaged in anerobic activity take the O in areas where free O is unavailable. The N then combines with N to form N2 nitrogen gas which bubbles out . This can take months to become fully established. Some tanks may never have enough anaerobic nitrogen reduction to keep up with nitrogen inputs from food, etc. Some, boost heterotrophic bacteria via organic carbon dosing to match high N inputs;some use macro algae ;some deep sand beds or extra live rock to provide more hypoxic (low oxygen ) areas.
First, ammonia oxidation and nitrate oxidation to nitrate, this is the nitrification cycle. This is the most critcial as ammonia is toxic to fish and other organisms.Tpically a tank is safe for marine animals when ammonia is zero.
Then the denitrification ,ie, nitrate(NO3) is reduced to N as bacteria engaged in anerobic activity take the O in areas where free O is unavailable. The N then combines with N to form N2 nitrogen gas which bubbles out . This can take months to become fully established. Some tanks may never have enough anaerobic nitrogen reduction to keep up with nitrogen inputs from food, etc. Some, boost heterotrophic bacteria via organic carbon dosing to match high N inputs;some use macro algae ;some deep sand beds or extra live rock to provide more hypoxic (low oxygen ) areas.
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Yes, I'd add it might be too soon to know if water changes to reduce nitrates or other methods are necessary since the anaerobic activity doesn't appear to be in full swing yet and needs some nitrate. 10 ppm isn't a big worry except for certain highly sensitive corals.
Ok i used sand i cillected offshore beacwater as well i used deadrock and put a few pieces of luverock ti seed i let it run for 45 days didnt do a waterchange but since parameters were good i stocked 2grammas,2jawfish,1rock beauty,1damsel and 1 atlantic blue tang ... I have a 75 gallon .did a waterchange today 25 gallons i tested and nitrates didnt go down ammonia and nitrites are at 0
whosurcaddie
New member
Your all good then stop worrying. 10ppm nitrates as stated earlier is fine. You will likely see a rise as the tank matures just keep up with regular maintenance and they will stay in an acceptable range.
I would assume that to be noticed on any nitrate test likely to be in use.
FraggledRock
New member
ouch. the sand may be leaching something.
and the water may be the culprit.
if you changed the water with the same water and no change. Its the water.
test the nitrates on the beach water not in the tank yet and see what u get...
I think i remember you posting about using beach water in an older post and were mentioned you to test the water first for any problems. sounds like you didnt.
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