Nitrates

[tsdid]

i have a question, I have had my tank running for 8 months, for the past 5 since i started using RODI water and have had some caulerpa in the tank my nitrates have been at zero. I have a 40 gallon with 40lbs of live sand. 3 weeks ago i added a scooter blenny, when i did i had only 30 lbs of LR, I know that was low thats why i added another 25 the weekend after. Since i have done this my nitrates have climbed from 0 to 5-10. What do you think the reason is, is it the added bioload of the scooter or is it the extra denitrification from the rocks. My tank levels are all perfect with ammonia being at 0 and nitrites at 0. currently i have
2 clowns
2 pajamas Cards
5 hermits
1 serpent star
1 BTA
2 mexican turbos
1 astrea snail
1 margarita snail
1 tiny about the size of a dime black urchin, came with the rock
my filtration is a wet-dry

 

[michaeltx]

more than likely a combo of both the new fish and the new rock. it will level out though and the macros will start to take care of it.
Mike

 

[bigarn]

With a nitrate reading of 5-10 I wouldn't worry at all ... many people never get nitrates that low and still have very successful systems.

 

[tsdid]

Thanks, I was thinking that might be the case, im going to do a waterchange this weekend so that will help also.

 

[bonebrake]

Probably a little bit of die off from the new rock.