nitrates out of control-help please!~

[edward]

I just purchased a 90 gallon reef tank with live rock, corals, inverts, fish, ++++++++ from someone who wished to retire it due to time constraints. The tank had been set up for 3 years. I broke it down on Sunday and moved it. I kept as much water as I could (probably half). After setting it back up, I checked the water parameters. Everything was in check except the nitrates. The nitrate levels are off the charts 180ppm+!!! I did a 20% water change and the nitrate levels are still off the charts. I really can't believe anenomes, soft corals, etc are even living in it. I need suggestions how to safely lower these levels without destroying the tank. Please help!!!:help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: :help:

 

[nudibranch]

build a nice big refugium w/ macro algae couple that with more water changes also check for areas of build up that are a haven for nitrates. Is there filter media that needs to be changed? What kind of substrat is it? if its CC that is a nitrate haven.

 

[edward]

It had about an inch of sand as the substrate. I added 70lbs to make it about 3-4". I also added about a pound of carbon to the sump. It is using a sump with mud-filter with bio balls and macros. I filled with RO water. Nitrates had to have been present in extremes before I got to it. Need a way to reduce safely without disrupting tank too much. I used two different test kits to verify.

 

[nudibranch]

Get the bio balls out of there, they are a BIG source of nitrates. The LR should be the only biological filtration that you need on top of the DSB. I don't know much about the "mud-filter" that might be a problem as well.
Why did you add the carbon? What are you trying to remove w/ it?

 

[edward]

Wanted carbon to remove nitrates. As far as I've read, bio balls will add to nitrate levels but only through process of oxidizing ammonia and nitrite??? I do not have a protein skimmer as of now on this tank so DOC need to break down somehow.

 

[nudibranch]

Your LR serves the same purpose as your bio balls with added benefits. The bio balls are probably a large contributing factor to your extremly high nitrates.
Carbon wont remove nitrates either. It only removes chemicals and DOC. After running the carbon for a few days you've taken the majority of the DOC and any chemicals in the water. IMO I would remove the carbon as well.

 

[broomer5]

It had about an inch of sand as the substrate. I added 70lbs to make it about 3-4".
Did you use that existing 1" of old sand that was already in the 3 year old tank ? Or did you throw it away and just add 3-4" of new sand only ?
Were you able to test the nitrate level of the tankwater before you moved it ?

 

[msd2]

This may sound like a stupid answer but have you had a buddy or the lfs test the water to see if your water is that full of nits? Its worth a check.

 

[edward]

I did not test the water before I moved the tank. I assumed all was well since these people were "experienced" reef and marine fish keepers. I did use the existing sand on top of the added sand.

 

[edward]

Also, there are no signs of cycling. The tank has 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites.

 

[msd2]

Originally posted by edward
I did not test the water before I moved the tank. I assumed all was well since these people were "experienced" reef and marine fish keepers. I did use the existing sand on top of the added sand.
That might of been helpful information too, but I was aiming more at the idea that maybe ur test kit is containated. I know when I am running an experiment and it all looks good except for one reading I start looking at whats giving me that reading as much as the reading itself.

 

[jlem]

Originally posted by Nudibranch
Get the bio balls out of there, they are a BIG source of nitrates.
bioballs are plastic and can't possibly be a source of nitrates. The gunk that can build up around the bioballs can lead to high nitrates , but that is more of a maintenance issue and is easily corrcected by the occasional saltwater rinse.
I would get the water tested with another kit to eliminate the test kit as a problem.

 

[buzz]

If the sandbed was removed, and re-added, it makes perfect sense that you had a nitrate spike. Churning an established sandbed will almost always result in this.

 

[nudibranch]

Originally posted by jlem
bioballs are plastic and can't possibly be a source of nitrates. The gunk that can build up around the bioballs can lead to high nitrates , but that is more of a maintenance issue and is easily corrcected by the occasional saltwater rinse.
Making the bio balls the source of nitrates. I'm not saying the bio balls themselves are the cause (obviously, they are not organic) but they house bacteria/gunk that cause nitrate making the bio balls possibly part of the problem. With enough LR the bio balls shouldn't be needed anyways. Less things to worry about if you remove them (as long as your LR is adequate).

 

[edward]

Concluding remarks. I believe I probably had some die off in the tank during the moving process leading to more DOC's. Aquarium recovered quickly and resulted in high nitrate concentration. The churning of the sand bed probably also released waste products trapped in the sand. I will not remove the bio-balls until a protein skimmer can be added. They are free of debris and therefore shouldn't release any "gunk" adding to poor water quality. Water changes will be conducted every other day until nitrate levels are in check. Thanks to those who added their insight. I don't believe both water test kits are inaccurate b/c I use them frequently on other tanks. The last concern I currently have is that the mud filter is contributing to this disaster. Thanks again.
-Ed