Nitrate levels

[jeriabc]

I have 29g tank that has been running for 6 years. I haven't been keeping up with it and the nitrate levels are sky high. I want to turn it into a reef tank. I had an UGF which I removed last weekend. I have replaced 12-15 gals of water. How often can I continue to vacumn the gravel and change the water, trying to get the nitrates down. I have 1 damsel and 10lbs of live rock. I had a bio-wheel and HOB canister with carbon. I just replaced the bio-wheel with a bak pak skimmer. Should I just be patient and stick to 5% change per week?

 

[airforceb2]

What type of substrate are you running? You said something about vacuuming gravel. Sand is a good way to get nitrates down.

 

[jeriabc]

I have crushed gravel substrate. I didn't know if I should remove the gravel and replace with sand now. Would I have to empty the tank in order to do that? Can I get my nitrates down WITH the gravel?

 

[airforceb2]

Not too sure about using crushed gravel. There were a couple threads earlier this week about changing from CC to Sand. You might want to run a search right quick and see what others had to say. It isn't too hard at all from what I took from the threads...especially since you only have one fish. The only problem you might have is if you stir up enough ammonia in your gravel that will cause you to cycle again.

 

[jeriabc]

Sorry. I mis-typed. I meant crushed coral. I wa also worried about doing too many woater changes too quickly. Will the tank start to cycle again?

 

[airforceb2]

I have never heard anything about your tank cycling from changing water too often. I think you will be alright at 5 to 10% a week.