On the verge of giving up

[Nu2SW]

Thanks guys,

Im going to johns to try and get some nitrate removal products from seachem.



Im gonna change food brands. I think im using SF brands right now. Gonna get PE mysis.

I use cyclopeeze once ina while as a treat, Thats the red package I couldnt remember the name of.

Im wondering , do phosphates and nitrates have any direct relation with eachother?

 

[Nu2SW]

From what I understand the Phyto doesnt leech any Nitrates into the tank. So that shouldnt be a issue.


Im thinking maybe food quality and Ill go to every other day.

I dont have much sand to vacuum , my Nassurias (sp?) snails do a good job in turning that sand and keeping it clean.

 

[mpoletti]

SF Brand is the worst out there for oils. Try AZNO-3 for nitrate reduction. I get it from Marine Depot.

 

[robertloop]

I did the nitrate battle for years in my 55. I had excessive bio load and feeding. The problem with high nitrates is that once they're high, all the LR and substrate become saturated. I would do a 50% water change and the nitrates would only come down a little. I attributed this to my theory of the LR and course sand bed saturation. Ironically the SPS did WAY better in my old 55 than my (newer) 120 that has zero nitrates. Your clam will suffer before the SPS in my experience.... Not really offering a solution here, only experience banter. The above posts are viable things to try. For me, increasing water volume (i.e. bigger tank with same bio load solved it).

Cheers

 

[Timmy03]

Have you tried a different brand test kit?

Just a thought.

 

[dots]

Edwin, if your frustrated to the point of trying "alternative" solutions, I would look into sugar dosing. I have had a lot of experience with this now and could work with you on it.

At the very least, trying it for a while could get you down to a zero level and allow you to adjust what you are doing to determine what is causing it. I got into using it after I added a bunch of rock and "forgot" about the spike that occured afterwards. I was up to 50ppm, after changing 50% and doing the math that changing another 50%, (with no accumulation), would only get me to 25%, I gave it a try. Necesisity brings about inovation, I find this a great tool. In fact, with my sparse feeding and bare bottom tank, I could not grow chaeto at the same time.....now thats low.

It works and can be used successfully to get you to a managable level, but needs to be done carefully and I can help you with that.

With reevaluating your husbandry and feeding inputs, along with this, I think we can get you back on the horse.

All summer I was bummed about my problems and got a "hair" to work on the tank today and get some new pieces to help the healing process along. I was at your point a few months ago and was not into it any longer. I took a step back, fixed the problem and am excited that I am still with it.

Problems like these only make us better aquarists.

Let me know if I can help!!!!

Doug

 

[matttaylor]

While i've never personally tried dosing sugar, i think in this case you may want to try it. And i will also offer any help i might be able to provide.

Matt