Nitrates and Green Algea

[vikki7]

Well, I am back.
12 gal Nano Cube Tank Questions.
Last time I wrote, my Nitrates were peeked at the tip of the chart.
Today, they are down to the next level (down).
I dont have the strip in front of me but they see to be getting better. Still, they seem high to me.
History of my tank.
Got it at Christmas.
All fish died, NItrate spiked....etc.
Right after that, I began seeing litte bitty millipeed bugs
they miltiplied everwhere but stayed in the green algea on the back on my tank. Not the LR.
Did water changes. (been doing them for 6 weeks now - waiting for my tank to cycle).
Two weeks ago added snails and crabs.
The snails immediately began to eat all the algea growing on the back wall of my tank and today it is gone.
Still I had the bugs... thousands lol of them.
Two days ago I bought two clown fish... I thought it was time to introduce fish, and see if the tank would complete the cycle.
To my surprise, I have NO bugs.. the Clowns ate them all.
my tank is clean except for all the Green Algea on the LR
Oh yes, about Three weeks ago I changed out my gravel for LS.
Now, my main question.
HOW do I get the Nitrate completely down?
How do I get rid of the Green Algea on my LR.
I need to change my bulbs and possibly pump and heater,
it was bought new and given to me as a give.
I have no instructions.
It is a 12 gal Nano Cube Tank.
I know I have more questions, but will wait for some replys.
BTW- during all this time, since Christmas my Feather duster and anemonie has lived......seems to be doing ok, but the Anemonie seems to be fading in color.
What is up with that>
he is a pink one with tenicles with bright pink on the tips

 

[rbaby]

Assuming you have a nano cube with stock lighting, that anemone will most likely die...especially if you are asking about nitrates. It's an inhabitant that really shouldn't be added to the tank that is less than 6 months old (recommended) and with a little more experience...that lighting is insufficient for an anemone. I have 126 watts in my nano cube and I still won't try an anemone on it. I know that we always want to see our clowns host...but there are other hosting possibilities for clowns that people overlook...and it could certainly thrive in your tank.
The only way to rid yourself of nitrates is to do water changes...but make sure you're not confusing this with nitrITES. Anyway...to help reduce some of my nitrates I have some Macro Algae in the back of my nano cube with a 24w lighting fixture in the rear area to give it light...Chaeto...but the only real way to get rid of it is with water changes.

 

[vikki7]

"I have 126 watts in my nano cube "
I have a stock Nano Cube tank..... how did you get 126 Watts of light for your tank...is is stock and what size is it?
Yes, I am talking about Nitrates.....
Can you help.
Different people talk about water changes ....
What do you consider a "water" change to be, to get rid of your Nitrates?
How would you start this proceedure, how often, what do you change, salt, RO etc....
I really need some specifics, because It has been 6 weeks and it wont come all the way down.
HEL{P

 

[scubanoah]

I have the same tank. You should change at least 10-15% of the water every week. By change, I mean removing old water and adding new RO salt water. That should get your trates down.

 

[dory36]

Vikki, the nitrates in my nano cube have been consistently running about 40ppm for the past 2 months. I've done the water changes, cut down on my feedings, used the medicine that "supposedly"

lowers them, etc. The only thing I haven't tried is removing the bio balls from the back. I've read on here that some people have taken theirs out and replaced them with rubble and their nitrates went back down. I was going to try that next, but we're getting rid of our nano, so there's really no point! Good luck!

 

[rbaby]

10-15% water change...and on the cube, get rid of the sponges (keep one but clean it weekly)...rid of the ceramic rings and bio balls. Use live rock and sand back there instead and if you want...do what I do and once a week I stick my HOT Magnum in...pour water in it, let it rip for a couple of minutes...about 30 minutes...clears out all the debris and makes my water crystal clear then pour out all the water from the magnum into the sink and replace with new water. That's how I do my water changes now.
As far as the algae is concerned...hairy green algae feeds on 3 things: phosphates, nitrates and lights. There are many hairy algae eaters out there, but most are a gamble as I've gotten them and have had no luck. What I do is jus lessen my light cycle, buy a phosphate chemical media like Rowaphos or Phosban and be dutiful with water changes...BEST way to rid yourself of algae is to give it nothing to feed on.
P.S. My nano cube is not stock, it is modified...

 

[vikki7]

Ok. If I get rid of the sponges.... which one is best to keep.
or should I say, where should I put it, top or on the bottom.
I would think it should be up where the water filters in?
HOT Magnum
rid of the ceramic rings and bio balls. Use live rock and sand back there (WHAT DO YOU PUT THE LR AND LS IN) when you put it back in place of the ceramic rings and bio balls?
Ie do you wrap them in something pours?

 

[scubanoah]

yea get rid of the balls and rings. dont wrap LR in anything, just drop it in. I keep 2 sponges and charcoal in the first chamber and just rinse them weekly. That is just my preference.

 

[vikki7]

OK, keep both sponges and
get rid of the rings and the bio balls?
Do I rid them both at the same time?
rings and bio balls?
I noticed when I try to take the sponges out and I picked up the bio balls... alot of junk filtered into my tank.
It is very gritty... and nasty down deep inside there.....
YUK

 

[rbaby]

I'd probably say to stick with 1 sponge but that's just me. I keep mind right under the intake teeth and because whenever I try to take it out to clean it, it usually drips a whole lot of debris back into the tank so I usually take it out while I'm running my HOT Magnum. Also get some charcoal and rowaphos.
And yes...get rid of both the rings and balls immediately.

 

[vikki7]

I will post again in a little bit....
But I wanted you to know that my tank was 6 months old
at Christmas.
These problems have occured since I brought it home
and added LR and did my first huge mistake with a fresh water change..
All that water should be gone now...
I really think my tank started the cycling process all over.
POssible?
But now I am left with Nitrates

 

[scubanoah]

You are using RO water and not tap water right?

 

[vikki7]

Am now :happyfish

 

[tpakula]

I am also a newbie at all of this..I bought a 12 gal JBJ nano delux and bought the insides of an established 16 gal. nano...During the move there was a lot of die off and after it was all set up 2 days later everything died off......I finally gave up on the water changes as the tank just had to recycle......ONLY after all my levels were down did I add a clean=up crew.....After 3 weeks...a fish and pistol shrimp.....Now a few small coral pieces....My algea grows a lot because I put in zooplankton once a week for the coral and worm rock.....I also use distilled water & bottled reef water NOT water thru a tap filter......hence more algea.......If it were me I would let it cycle through and not add anything till the numbers go down.......
Terri

 

[vikki7]

Well for me, something was in my tank.. and after 6 weeks
my Nitrates were still sky high.
I too finally gave up, but not on the water changes, as I
feel they are now starting to go down a bit, but not like they
need to be.
Finally after 6 weeks, my snails ate all the algea that was on the back on my tank and it is now nice and clean again.
They continue to clean my rock...
but the nitrate it high.
I dont over feed, but I am going to try what
rbaby said and try the
ceramic rings and bio balls. Use live rock and sand back there instead and if you want...
Anything is better than what I have, it is a muck of a mess back there.
I know bacteria is there,, and I dont need to get rid of it,
but I think I got handed a realy dirty tank at the Store.
Everything in the filter area feels gritty.
I wil be back online tonight,