nitrates

[justlooking]

I got a reading of 50 ppm, its FO, no LR, no LS. Blenny,jawfish,two coral catfish,firefish,dottyback and three hermit crabs.
Is that too high> It stays about there. I put some of the nitrate reducing media in today, dont know how much that will help?

 

[@knight]

whens the last time you did a water change?

 

[justlooking]

last week. Too high? anything else I can do besides another water change, they tend to stress my fish out

 

[q]

What are you using for a filter system?
It could be the source so you eather need to get some LS in or get a nitrate reduser. The coil type only costs like 100 bucks tops.

 

[twoods71]

That nitrate reducing stuff takes a while and people will tell you its only a band aid and that you will need to fix the problem.
I agree it is better to find the problem and fix it.
What kind of substrate do you have if any?
As far as the nitrate level I've read many different opinions about different acceptable levels. Everyone seems to agree though that the lower the better.
As far as the water changes go I found it better to add the new water as slow as possible and this helps reduce the stress on your animals.

 

[justlooking]

Whats the coil type thing? Inside tank? Outside? Noisy?
Will LS significantly help with nitrates? Was thinking about putting some LS in, having a mix of CC and LS. Right now just CC.

 

[tanker newbie]

a dsp(deep sand bed) (at least 4 inches) will defintally help lower your nitrates, might take some time to kick in though, also do you have a protein skimmer, or a tank with just macroalgae, macroalgae feeds on nitrates hence makeing ur tank more healthy
nitrate absorbers do help, but not much, it takes time and lowers it a little, and if its not replaced in a certin amount of time, the nitrates can be reintroduced into the tank

 

[tanker newbie]

p.s. 50 ppm is tolorable, meaning its posible that the fish can live, however its best if its as low as posible(preferably 0) if you want to get it lower, a sand bed would help, a skimmer(if you dont already have one) would also help, and macro algea if you really want your tank in great condition(you might not even need it if you invest in a good protein skimmer)

 

[q]

Justlooking
There are coil type nitrate reducers which are basically a cylinder with bio balls in it. The key is reduced water flow. The reason for reduced water flow is that the oxygen is used up at the top of the coil by the aerobic bacteria which then provides a place for the anerobic nitrate reducing bacteria to thrive and thus finish the nitrogen cycle. It is located outside of the tank and I have no knowledge about if they are noisey. I would think not.
Twoods71
I sugested the coil system because Justlooking has no LR or LS. Since there is no place for anerobic bacteria to grow this is a main problem.
I would suggest a DSB. It is natural and would probably add to the decore. No matter what you do to establish the anerobic bacteria colonies it will take time. Until then keep up on the water changes. I would examine what you are doing with your water changes as it shouldn't stress your fish.
[ June 23, 2001: Message edited by: Plato ]

 

[jimi]

Yes, 50 is too high. Water changes are pretty much the only thing you can do until you get a good skimmer, dsb, r/o unit or all of them. A shallow cc bed is a great nitrate producer which is why many aquarist choose no substrate at all.

 

[justlooking]

Any particular type of sand I should look to buy, how much is it? I just want to put in a little area of LS, like 10% of the substrate, the other 90% would still be CC, but i think it would still help. Plus my jawfish might like it and if I get that yellow head goby.

 

[jimi]

I used Southdown tropical playsand from Home Depot it was $3.86 a bag. It may or may not be available depending on where you live.

 

[justlooking]

Southdown tropical from home depot? Is that livesand or just sand?

 

[jacrmill]

its not live sand, just regular fine grade sand. if you put some live sand with it though it will eventually all become live sand. and even with not live sand youll get the good bacteria and everything growing on it.

 

[mr . salty]

Southdown is just reef sand.Not live sand.They sell Natures Ocean live sand on this site.It is a very good product.Many,Many people on this BB have used it,including me,and all love it.It has all the needed bacteria already living in it so a recycle will not occur.You should however remove ALL the CC before you add this live sand. The CC will eventually mix with the sand,and believe me,,,,IT IS UGLY.