helppp

[mustang 50]

hey, i just tested my tank and my nit ates are at 80ppm

i have a 75gal tank with about 50lb of LR ( i know i need more) i have a backpack filter with activated carbon and the blue filter that goes with it. i also have a refugium with a nitrite pad and cheato algae and 5lb of LR. i do bi-weekly water changes i do 7-8gal changes. everything else is good any advice ?

 

[gemmy]

What test kit are you using? Tank inhabitants? Tank age? Feeding habits?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Is this a reef tank?
1. Change the bulbs out on your refugium for some higher powered 3k or 2,700k light bulbs. Even then, change them out every 3 months to keep them strong. Get that chaeto growing!
2. Water changes are only effective when you do them correctly. Use a turkey baste all of your rocks off and then siphon out the waste. Clean your sand bed with a very slow siphon gravel vac to remove as much built up waste as possible.
3. Get a highly efficient skimmer. Skimmers pull gunk out of the water that mechanical filtration can't.
4. You could use chemical medias to limit nitrates and phosphates, however, with proper lighting in the refugium and adequate harvesting of macroalgae, proper water changes and an efficient skimmer, you shouldn't need them.

 

[geoj]

What test kit and is it a new. Have you confirmed the number by some other means like adding Prime or having a LFS test with a different kit?
What are you keeping in the tank now?

 

[snakeblitz33]

If that doesn't work, you could decrease the amount of food that you feed by half and if that still doesnt help, remove a couple of fish.

 

[mustang 50]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/391634/helppp#post_3474442
What test kit are you using? Tank inhabitants? Tank age? Feeding habits?
the API saltwater master/ (lost)) dragon wrasse, Lunare wrasse ( i no too many wrasses), banned moray, clown, and damsel/ about 3 1/2 months/ everyother day a full mysis shrimp cub and every 2-3 days a piece or squid for eel

 

[mustang 50]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/391634/helppp#post_3474444
What test kit and is it a new. Have you confirmed the number by some other means like adding Prime or having a LFS test with a different kit?
What are you keeping in the tank now?
The API saltwater master kit it is new/ the colors match so its pretty close to 80/ (lost)) dragon wrasse, Lunare wrasse ( i no too many wrasses), banned moray, clown, and damsel

 

[geoj]

Have you been tracking the number and has the water changes been big enough to bring it down to where you want it? What is the goal, your expectations?

 

[mustang 50]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/391634/helppp#post_3474454
Have you been tracking the number and has the water changes been big enough to bring it down to where you want it? What is the goal, your expectations?
no i have not been tracking i recently got the test kit tank went about week and half without test :/ my goal is to get it as low as possible id like 0 but lower is the goal atm.

 

[geoj]

I would start by doing larger water changes say 15-20 gallons and do more testing to see how that works. Cut back on feeding if you can without starving the fish. Then start thinking about how you will add more filtration like Snake was recommending.

 

[geoj]

When you test use all the tests in the kit
The Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate have relationships that can help confirm the test readings. The trending of this over time is very helpful in determining what changes work for your tank.

 

[mustang 50]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/391634/helppp#post_3474463
I would start by doing larger water changes say 15-20 gallons and do more testing to see how that works. Cut back on feeding if you can without starving the fish. Then start thinking about how you will add more filtration like Snake was recommending
i will def try ty for advice and i will def get a skimmer unfortunately funds are tight what skimmer would u recommend for the least amount of $

 

[geoj]

I completely under stand, Bring the number down with water changes for now and confirm the test result at a local fish store.

 

[mustang 50]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/391634/helppp#post_3474478
I completely under stand, Bring the number down with water changes for now and confirm the test result at a local fish store.
ok tyvm

 

[danyel patrick]

Hello,
If you need any informations about fish or aquarium, you should go on this website:
http://themarinecentre.co.uk/
I every time go on it when I have a problem with my fish or with my tank. Hope it's gonna help you!