getting nervous

[newbesalt]

I ve had several questions before with great feedback so thank you for the help.

Now a new issue. I thougt my cycle was done or almost done ,I had a brown alge bloom.and now its starting to fade..(which I heard is good and normal) I test my water every other day. the problem is my nitrates keep going up and has never peaked. their getting really high(I think)..should I do a partial water change or no...

8/27/07
Phosphate 0.0-0.25 ppm
Nitrate 10ppm
Calcium 620ppm
KH 214 ppm
8/29/07
Phosphate 0.25ppm
Nitrate 10-20ppm
Calcium 680ppm
KH 214ppm
9/1/07
Phosphate 0.25ppm
Nitrate 30ppm
Calcium 560ppm
KH 161.1ppm

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by newbesalt
I ve had several questions before with great feedback so thank you for the help.

Now a new issue. I thougt my cycle was done or almost done ,I had a brown alge bloom.and now its starting to fade..(which I heard is good and normal) I test my water every other day. the problem is my nitrates keep going up and has never peaked. their getting really high(I think)..should I do a partial water change or no...

8/27/07
Phosphate 0.0-0.25 ppm
Nitrate 10ppm
Calcium 620ppm
KH 214 ppm
8/29/07
Phosphate 0.25ppm
Nitrate 10-20ppm
Calcium 680ppm
KH 214ppm
9/1/07
Phosphate 0.25ppm
Nitrate 30ppm
Calcium 560ppm
KH 161.1ppm
Whats in the tank? and what do you have for filtration? what test kit are you using?

 

[newbesalt]

Its a 50 gal bow front, I have live sand(only about 15 lbs of live rock) a rena xps2 canister,sea clone 150 skimmer. 270gph wavemaker.aquaclear 50 heater.and a 50/50 bulb

 

[miaheatlvr]

OK,, what do you have as far as livestock? are you using RO/DI for your top-offs? how did you cycle the tank? with what? have you leaned out your filter floss? Do you have a protein skimmer yet? Nitrate at 30ppm is not horrible yet but we would like to get them down,, no need to panic yet though..

 

[newbesalt]

It has 2 emeral crabs 5 cleaner hermits 6 snails 5 small starter damsels...My lr came with lots of extras like 3 mussels or clams and some kind of pricklly worm.0ne of the rocks have a coral on it but i think its dying.

 

[miaheatlvr]

New,, please answer all my questions one by one so I can better assist you..

Your bio load is quite small though,, those damsels might present a problem for you in the future due to their agressive nature..

 

[newbesalt]

only have tap water but going to start to buy r/o water.I cycled with the damsels thats what the store said to use.Not shur what is filter floss and how do I lean it out. my skimmer just started working pretty good last week, Its a seaclone 150.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by newbesalt
only have tap water but going to start to buy r/o water.I cycled with the damsels thats what the store said to use.Not shur what is filter floss and how do I lean it out. my skimmer just started working pretty good last week, Its a seaclone 150.
OK,, i know it can be hard but you need to switch to the RO/DI water this is problably a major source of your nitrates, in the long run try to get a home add on sink one, it pays for itself in the long run. try to get some more live rock in the near future,, I know its $$$, Im glad you got your skimmer working this will help alot, CHECK THE filter cartridges in your hob filter, they should just pop out, those should be replaced every month but i do mine like every 3 weeks.. PLEASE just feed a little every other day! What are you feeding them?

 

[newbesalt]

Do i want to wash and clean out the canister when i chang these pads or just change them. the second baskit has ceramic rings , should those be replaced , cleaned. or should i use bioballs

 

[newbesalt]

Im feeding them once a day. 1 frozen cube of marin cuisine. some times the flak

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by newbesalt
Do i want to wash and clean out the canister when i chang these pads or just change them. the second baskit has ceramic rings , should those be replaced , cleaned. or should i use bioballs
No just replace the filter,, these are haven for nitrates, DONT switch to BIO BALLS, these if not maintained well can be nitrate factory's as well im not sure about the rings,, but if they are dirty with gunk I would definately clean them as well..

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by newbesalt
Im feeding them once a day. 1 frozen cube of marin cuisine. some times the flak
Cut it in half and use a half a cube,, those marine cuisine cubes have alot in them and feed every other day, that will help out your phosphate issue as well.. At least use the SPECTRA pellets if YOU MUST feed dry food.

 

[newbesalt]

the canister filter has several pads of differet desity. replace them all , can they be cleaned or are the cheap and better replaced.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by newbesalt
the canister filter has several pads of differet desity. replace them all , can they be cleaned or are the cheap and better replaced.
, the one with the carbon can be replaced all together,, any other pads should be cleaned thoroughly in a bucket of your tank water only.