Nitrate problem??

[nikkoli110]

Hello. I have a problem with the first coral I bought. It is a rock with about 10 mushrooms on it. I have a 29 gallon tank. I purchased it about 2 weeks ago, and for the first 4 days it looked great, but now it looks like its scrunching up, and there was some bubble like foam coming out of some of them. I did the 3 tests that I had, and the Ammonia was at 0, Nitrite was at 0, ph was 8.3, salinity 1.023, but the nitrates were at 40. How can I lower these? I just added 130 watt aqualights before the coral. I have about 20 lbs live rock, and 20 lbs live sand. I have a protein skimmer, and 2 filters, a Penguin 125 and a Penguin 170, both with the Bio-Wheel. I have 3 fish, a small green chromis, a tomato clown, and a 2 inch Kole tang. I have 9 blue legged hermit crabs. I have been doing water changes ever week and a half, about 5 gallons at a time. I really dont know what I am doing wrong. I have looked up other forums, and saw that Bio-Wheels can contribute to nitrate problems. Should I also add live rock? And has anyone used those nitrate sponges by Kent? I also use regular tap water(which has nitrates at 10), but my RO unit is on the way. Please help me! Thanks and sorry its long!

 

[robvia]

Are you cleaning the bio-wheels? If not, clean them now! The nitrate sponges typically don't work untill your nitrates are below about 10. Your RO filter is definitely needed. If you add water before you get it, go buy a little water. IMO you need some nitrate export. I had the same problem and have added a fuge and things are looking much better. I don't know your setup, but they make HOB fuges. Sump/fuge is a good option.

 

[nikkoli110]

OOOh thanks! I will def go home and clean them out! (Duh I'm not too good at this yet) and I was looking at some fuge's. I dont have a sump right now, but those fuge's that hang on the back look nice. Would that help alot? Would more rock help or does that not have to do with this? Thanks!

 

[big911dog]

with the current set up you have, water changes are all that will work to reduce nitrates. i would move to a more aggressive change out schedule IMO. that will address the current problem, but you also need to address what is causing the heavy nitrates. i would agree the filter media is the best place to start.

 

[nikkoli110]

What are some changes to my current set up that I could change? I was thinking of a sump, but the stand I bought, has one side open with a shelf, and the other closed behind a door, so I guess its around 12 inches by 12 inches. So I dont really know what I could fit in there, but do you think that would help? And would a hang on refuguim help? Also I curently change the carbon cartridges every 2-3 weeks as it says to do, but would every week be better? Or would putting a different filter material in one work better? Thanks!

 

[robvia]

Your best bet is some kind of refugium. HOB or sump depends on where it fits. Plant life is the only thing that will remove nitrates. Water changes will help keep the level down, but will never get it to zero. Given what you have right now, I agree more frequent water changes will help. Carbon doesn't remove nitrates. It make the water clearer. Keeping the filters clean will help reduce nitrate production. Good skimming will help remove waste before it becomes nitrate. Their are lots of things to consider. That is why you are reading on this page.

 

[jon.316]

I saw a hang on fuge for $50 on ---- earlier today if you were interested.....i'd suggest cleaning out your filter and doing a 40% water change to drop your trates...then contiinuing 5-10 gal water changes.

 

[nikkoli110]

Ok well I took out my filters one at a time and scrubbed them out, cleaned the bio-wheels, and did a 8 gallon water change. I also changed the filters, but no nitrate change. I know I need to get a RO unit, but I need to wait another week or two to buy one. I would love to find one used, but no luck yet. I do use ---- alot, and I have seen some of those hob fuge's, i love the ones that are like 24 inches, with lights, pumps, and all. What are some good plants to put in there? Thanks!

 

[robvia]

My levels wouldn't change until I put in a fuge. I changed water like crazy and it didn't help. I think the test strips are not that accurate. Buy RO water for now if you can't get a filter yet. It's about 40 cents a gallon. Doubt you'll find a used RO filter. I got one from aqua safe canada off ---- and I like it. Most people put macro algae from the LFS in their fuge. Many like cheato. I want to get some tang heaven and start growing food.

 

[nikkoli110]

Thanks alot! Well I kind of did a little cheapie thing, because I have spent so much money in the past few months on this tank! So I bought a net breeder on ---- for $3.00, and then I was going to get some of that macro algae and put that in there, just for now at least. I know I read that if you put in directly in the tank, that it could spread everywhere, and might not look that great. So hopefully this will work a little for now. Then in a few weeks I am planning on getting a hob fuge, and setting that up with some lights and stuff. What do I need for those? I know I saw some that were for $50, so then do I need to get two pumps for it? I really havent had any experience with sumps or fuge's or anything, so I dont know how they work. I also bought a powerhead to help out. Also, will a better protein skimmer help out with that or does that not have to do with it? I hate the one I have now, its one of those visi-jet ones. It sucks. I was thinking about getting a seaclone one, they seemed pretty good for my price range.

 

[robvia]

I grew some plants in the display while getting the fuge running. Didn't do much for me, but didn't hurt.
I think the HOB kits come with everything you need. At least all the dry stuff. You will probably have to get some macro from the LFS.
I tweak my seaclone all the time and have been working on some mods for it. It's not a good skimmer, but for a small tank it might work for you. If you're going to replace something I wouldn't recommend it because I doubt you will be thrilled with it either.

 

[nikkoli110]

Ok Thank you so much for all your help!!!