Suggest Improvements and Problems Please

[FutureBoyGenius]

This is a 90 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump and 2x65watt 1000k and 2x65watt actnics. I keep my temperature very stable at 79degrees. My pH is stable at about 8.3. I keep my specific gravity at about 1.025.

I have a nitrate problem right now, my nitrates are at 25 and slowly climb. I do water changes constantly. At least a 20 gallon change a week. What is the solution?

I also seem to have an "algea bloom" and I think that may be a side effect from the high nitrates?

Recently I realized that I did not have near enough flow. I have been running 2 mj1200s and other than the return pump that has been it. I ordered 2 koralia #4s this week and I have a koralia #1 coming in tomorrow.

I want to begin soft corals as soon as I can get my nitrates down and stable.

I am also unhappy with my aquascaping and plan to change it this weekend. Maybe I have too much rock?

What are your suggestions?

 

[abulgin]

A couple notes.

First, you're using bio-balls in your sump, which are nitrate factories. I suspect this is your main problem. You should slowly remove them. I can't tell how much live rock you have, but if you have 75lbs+, you should be fine. You could replace the bio-balls with live rock/rubble but not necessary.

Second, it looks lik you have a sandbed that's in the 2-3" depth. Substrate depths either need to be 1" or less or more than 3"--otherwise, they trap detritus and can produce nitrates.

You should consider adding a refugium with Chaetomorpha.

Your algae problem is very likely the result of your nitrates.

Flow is important, but it's not causing your nitrates.

 

[jherrin215]

There are many people on here that will help you more than I will, but first off are you using tap water or RO water?? Also is your tank getting any sunlight on it?? Personally I don't think you have too much rock at all, I just don't like how you have it just scattered along the back and sides. I would try to take what you have and build some caves, arches, islands. I don't like the rock to be laying on the tank either, I like them to be stacked in the center. Just my 2cents!!

 

[payyourtoll]

how long has the tank been up?

If using tap water then I would assume that is your problem

 

[nativecracker32]

bio balls are an issue along with the weak flow. I'd go with a fuge and come cheato. it will help keep you display clean. the water you use for top off would be my next guess.

 

[snorvich]

Well . . . bioballs are undesirables, your sand looks like it is collecting detritus, your aquascaping has dead zones with no flow. If you are using tap water, that is a problem. Adding a refugium with chaeto will definitely help.

 

[cdness]

One of the first lessons I learned with the hobby was:
Bio Balls = Bad
Cheato = Good...

I would move the rock around a bit but that is 100% personal preference...

 

[FutureBoyGenius]

First off thank you all for your responses, they have confirmed some of my suspicions, and of course taught me a couple lessons.

The tank has been running in the current location for about 4 months. Before that, a couple of years. The tank does not get any sunlight.

I do use an RO unit to filter my well water. I am also thinking about adding a DI unit to it. I wish i would have sprung for it in the beginning.

I honestly had never heard that bioballs were bad, so it is about time I learned that. I will begin to dispose of them. From what I know cheato is a macroalgea? I would not want to put that in the sump where the bioballs are, correct? Would I need a refugium for that? Or just a light source? Also, what are the other alternatives instead of chaeto?

As far as the aquascaping goes, I completely agree that it needs to be changed. I am thinking about doing two islands with maybe a bridge across?

It would be a bad idea to lay the rocks out of the tank in order to begin aquascaping, correct? Doesn't that cause dieoff and possibly a nitrite spike?

My sand bed is about 3inchs, it is more shallow in the front because of a jet, but it sounds like it wouldn't hurt to add some more?