Nitrate levels
- Thread starter gammabill
- Start date
clarkiiclo
Active Member
How old is your tank?
clarkiiclo
Active Member
Water changes can help. RO/DI water. What type of filtration do you have?
gammabill
New Member
Originally posted by ClarkiiClo
Water changes can help. RO/DI water. What type of filtration do you have?
I use only RO/DI water and my filtration system is tank under cabinet. Main chamber has skimmer and water flows over charcoal in to next tank which has bio balls and then into next chamber for recirculation to main tank........sorry, don't know the name of system. Was set up my local LF business. Skimmer isn't working well and have to take apart and clean it again....water spins, but doesn't seem to be making foam well.
clarkiiclo
Active Member
It may be the bioballs. I have heard that after time they can be a source of nitrate buildup.
Do you have sand or CC in the display?
Do you have sand or CC in the display?
clarkiiclo
Active Member
That is good. Do you have any macro aglae?
gammabill
New Member
Originally posted by ClarkiiClo
That is good. Do you have any macro aglae?
I believe I do........but not sure just what macro algae is. If you are refering to the rose colored algae on LR and some on glass, I guess I do. Sorry, really a beginner here and learning each and every day.
lion_crazz
Active Member
How many pounds of live rock do you have? If you have 1 - 1.5 lbs in the tank, the bio balls could be putting some die off into the water column, thus causing your nitrates to rise a little.
The macroalgae that he was referring to is things like caulerpa, chaeto, etc. It's a plant that grows in saltwater that could help control your nitrates by absorbing them.
The macroalgae that he was referring to is things like caulerpa, chaeto, etc. It's a plant that grows in saltwater that could help control your nitrates by absorbing them.
clarkiiclo
Active Member
She but thats ok.
clarkiiclo
Active Member
Your rose colored algae may be cynobacteria.
clarkiiclo
Active Member
does it look like this?
lion_crazz
Active Member
Yeah, that is the bad type of algae/bacteria. You either are feeding it the nutrients it wants (nitrates/phosphates) or else you leave your lights on too long.
clarkiiclo
Active Member
Yeah cyno is bad. It can really harm your corals. Poor oxygen exchange can cause it. Trates or phostphates as lion_crazz said.
And leaving your lights on too long.
Red Slime remover works well too. I had it once when my tank cycled. Hasnt come back.
And leaving your lights on too long.
Red Slime remover works well too. I had it once when my tank cycled. Hasnt come back.