water parameter question

[SaltSolutions1]

I checked water parameters; parameters are as follows:
ammonia - 0ppm
nitrite - 0.2ppm
nitrate - 10ppm
ph - 8.0
alkalinity - 4meq/l
Specific Density - 1.025
Calcium - 350ppm
Phosphate - 1.0ppm

LFS sold me buffer and said do a 10g water change and add a dose of calcium and buffer

Any other recommendations?

I have a brown algae growing in the refugium (obviously because of the high phosphates)

I have a duncan polyp closed for a couple days.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

It's a 45g tank w/ a 10g fuge

 

[IslandCrow]

I don't see any reason to add calcium or buffer at this point. You don't have much of anything in your tank that's going to consume calcium or alkalinity. Otherwise, it looks like your tank is in the middle of its cycle and doing fine. The next thing you should see happen is your nitrites will drop to undetectable levels. You'll probably still have some nitrates, they may even go up a little, but I wouldn't be too concerned there. That brown algae is probably diatoms, and it will more than likely get worse before it gets better. Most tanks go through it. When it happens, just keep up on your water changes, reduce your lighting and ride it out.

That duncan may be in trouble. You really shouldn't be adding any livestock while there is still ammonia and/or nitrite present. How long has your tank been up and running? I always suggest waiting at least a month before adding anything. And some tanks take even longer than that to cycle.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13291046#post13291046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
I don't see any reason to add calcium or buffer at this point. You don't have much of anything in your tank that's going to consume calcium or alkalinity. Otherwise, it looks like your tank is in the middle of its cycle and doing fine. The next thing you should see happen is your nitrites will drop to undetectable levels. You'll probably still have some nitrates, they may even go up a little, but I wouldn't be too concerned there. That brown algae is probably diatoms, and it will more than likely get worse before it gets better. Most tanks go through it. When it happens, just keep up on your water changes, reduce your lighting and ride it out.

That duncan may be in trouble. You really shouldn't be adding any livestock while there is still ammonia and/or nitrite present. How long has your tank been up and running? I always suggest waiting at least a month before adding anything. And some tanks take even longer than that to cycle.

+1 esp if this is a cycling tank

 

[Flipper62]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13291133#post13291133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
+1 esp if this is a cycling tank

Capn...+ 2...........How are you ?... Seems no one does research before starting a tank...........I know there are always people starting tanks & need to learn things ( ricky ????.....you know who I'm talking about )......BUT never take the advise....

To me, before starting a tank... I feel people should get on Reef Central & ask all their questions....Then see what works best for them. Remember the OLD....Tap water is just fine for a tank...

Everyone here... is here because we love this hobby ( JOB )...And also want to help others.

I really wish people would ask 1000 questions to get answers before they start.

To me...There is no STUPID question....if YOU dont know the answer..

However..... Please DONT.....post the same question 5 times a day...7 days a week....( Again..we know who )

 

[SaltSolutions1]

The tank is not cycling. Tank has been up and running for over 2 years. I added a fuge to it a month ago and I think the fuge is what is causing the cycle.

 

[kzickovich]

maybe try some prime and do acouple water changes that will lower your nitrites. What kind of salt mix are you using? I run a 50/50 mix of oceanic and Instant Ocean my readings are all good and I don't remember the last time I had to dose calcium.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

I use this stuff for water changes:

http://www.nutriseawater.com/

 

[bbyatv]

I would say new fuge caused the new cycle for sure. Have you added macro to the fuge. If so give it time and lots of light. The macro if farmed will reduce the phosphate and nitrate to levels where the algae will starve.

Bruce

 

[Michael]

if the tank has been running 2 years and you have 2 months of experience then i assume its someone elses tank is it, and the original owner gave it to you?

 

[SaltSolutions1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13295847#post13295847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
if the tank has been running 2 years and you have 2 months of experience then i assume its someone elses tank is it, and the original owner gave it to you?

That is absolutely right. I was given the tank. It was a FOWLR with one anemone. Since I've owned the tank I've added coral, fish, a fuge, and a skimmer, along with some additional live rock.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13295831#post13295831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bbyatv
I would say new fuge caused the new cycle for sure. Have you added macro to the fuge. If so give it time and lots of light. The macro if farmed will reduce the phosphate and nitrate to levels where the algae will starve.

Bruce

I put a handful of chaeto in, 3 cups of live sand from my DT, a container of refugium mud (bringing the substrate up to about 3") and a piece of live rock(about a pound). I recently added 10 cerith snails and 2 blue-legged hermits.

 

[Michael]

well done salt solutions thats great then, its good you added the sump, ive had 2 so far and have now decided to add a new 1 third edition, specially made to fit under my tank, seems as though the new sump is the cause of the mini cycle, it should sort its self out

 

[IslandCrow]

That pre-made saltwater really sounds like snake oil to me. A tank shouldn't need new bacteria constantly added to it, so that part is a waste. All salt mixes add trace elements (especially those formulated for reef tanks), so I doubt this product does anything special there either.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13293641#post13293641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flipper62
Capn...+ 2...........How are you ?... Seems no one does research before starting a tank...........I know there are always people starting tanks & need to learn things ( ricky ????.....you know who I'm talking about )......BUT never take the advise....

To me, before starting a tank... I feel people should get on Reef Central & ask all their questions....Then see what works best for them. Remember the OLD....Tap water is just fine for a tank...

Everyone here... is here because we love this hobby ( JOB )...And also want to help others.

I really wish people would ask 1000 questions to get answers before they start.

To me...There is no STUPID question....if YOU dont know the answer..

However..... Please DONT.....post the same question 5 times a day...7 days a week....( Again..we know who )

I'm doing great--thanks for asking--how have you been

Have you checked out the Capn's Log book --just press the red house icon

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13295247#post13295247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SaltSolutions1
The tank is not cycling. Tank has been up and running for over 2 years. I added a fuge to it a month ago and I think the fuge is what is causing the cycle.

IMO the fuge is not causing a cycle--rather it is not established long enough to be effective in reducing nitrates.

If you tank has been established for awhile then probably in the move you disturbed the sand bed--which after a couple of years has probably built up nitrates and phosphates in it.
It is probably a good idea to change the sand bed if nitrate level continue to be detected

That said 10 for nitrates won't bother much --esp fish--ammonia is the real killer here and you are getting a zero reading.

 

[jbc123]

With a nitrite reading of 0.2ppm isn't it probable there was a mini-cycle? Adding that many fish and LR within 2 months probably threw the balance out of whack.