Truth or not....

[jaspian]

I went out and bought a Filter to make DI water for my water changes.. while I was at the LFS, the guy was trying to get me to use Acquamarine Nitrate Reducer. He said I wouldnt have to do water changes if I used this. Well I dont know anyone who doesnt just do the water changes but it would be nice to use it and save on salt and time changing water. Let me know if you all have any info on this. Id like to know if it could be an option maybe to last longer between water changes or keep my nitrates super low. I cant seem to get them any lower than between 10-20 ppm even after water change.
Also... my Live rock is dull.... it used to have dark purple color to it that died during the cycle... how do I get that back. Im thinking of buying some new to replace it... how do I prep it to put in my now established tank??...buying already cured but sure some die off will occur in transport. Thanks...
Heres some pics(camera suks sorry).... only running for 8weeks now so give me time to get it looking better.
My specs... 54 corner bowfront, 55 lbs Fiji live rock, 3 inches live sand/subst., 250 MH Pendant, 65 watt 50/50, Fluval Filtration (has been wonderful, if anyone needs a cheap Wet/Dry 75 let me know), Visi-jet Protein skimmer (Ive been only running this at night cause it makes lots of little bubble throughout the tank... is this ok to do??), and alternating powerheads.
Livestock... 2 yellow damsels, 1 blue yellowtail damsel, 2 yellow clown gobies, 6 blue leg hermits, 1 emerald crab, 2 hawaiian feather dusters, some kinda algae plants, 3 sponges (I think the red one is a strawberry turnicate...not sure)

 

[karajay]

LOTS of differing views on water changes around here. I'm not in favor of using additives to reduce nitrates. Personally, I believe in frequent small water changes for several reasons. I believe your salt mix contains lots of things that need to be replaced. It's a good idea in my opinion to pull out some of the old stale water and replace with new, clean water. I believe it's like a good breath of fresh air would be for us. Lots of members have macro algae in a fuge for nitrate and excess nutrient export.
Regarding your new LR -
Leave it in a bucket of saltwater with a heater and a powerhead until your bucket water no longer shows ammonia or nitrites. You may want to change the water frequently to keep the smell down (curing LR won't exactly smell like roses).

 

[huggett]

If its only been 8 weeks I would not trash the rock you have and go get new stuff. LR is kind of expensive to be doing that! Maintain your calcium and alk and give the rock time. The coraline, etc. will develop/spread with time. I too think that there is no "magic" filter/additives that can replace partial water changes. Anything that helps reduce nitrates is a good thing, but I would still do water changes even if nitrates were maintained at 0. JMO

 

[jaspian]

Ok... I figured that.... but i did a 25% water change and my Nitrates were still over 10 the day after... i actually havent had them below 10. So I might use that stuff also.

 

[ejensen]

Have you tested your water before you added to your tank? It might contain nitrates. I'm not sure why your LR lost Its color. I've had mine for about 2 monhts and its starting to get more color. I would get rid of it maybe add some more but it should come along. Check your calcium and look into keeping you levels high. It promotes coraline growth.And for the additive, I think they just might do the trick of fooling your your test. But I did read a thread where a guy never changes his water and doesn't have any problems. Personally I would do a water change, It problem feels like a stuffy room that need a window open. Good luck.

 

[jaspian]

My live rock lost its color during the cycle.... also I used DI water which I also put AmQuel in to make sure... but no I didnt test it. I just did the water change 2 days ago and my Nitrates are 30 again... but everything else is great... alkalinity is slightly high... will the water change correct this???

 

[ejensen]

AmQuel is not going to get the nitrates out. If I had a probem with my nitrates after the water change then I would test the water before I used it. You could have a filter flowing the wrong way. You said "DI Water". Is this a small unit. Not RO/DI. That could be your problem. how many stages is your filter? If it is that cheep system that need a new filter every 25gals then that is your problem. Many people have had problem with that unit. If that isnt the problem then all I can think of you have something decaying in your tank or you are overfeeding them.

 

[ejensen]

How long has it been since you cycled your tank? Did you cure your own rocks?

 

[jaspian]

Actually the last water change was with bottled DI water.... and i only feed everyother day right now.... and it was Amquel + nitrate, nitrite, chlorine, etc... It has been about 8 weeks..... I bought cured rock but it took 2 days in shipping then i just put it in the tank and cycled.

 

[stapler]

You can also buy some additives that will help speed up the coralline growth process. Their is something called.....Aragmilk(I dont think thats what its called, but its something like that), that has had great success growing coraline.
Maybe someone else can add some input, clear things up.

 

[ejensen]

The only thing I can think of is the water contains nitrates. Try a different water method. I live by a water store that does RO/DI. So look for one. Or you can buy your own system. The only last thing could be wrong is your test kit. Try taking your water to a LFS and see what they say about your water.
When you cured your rocks you most likely had alt of die off and that would lead to alot of nitrates. I had alot but I did half of my curing in a bucket in my garage and was able to get rid of all the die off. If you did in your tank then it could be just rotting in your tank. Did you put in your sand before or after you cured your rock? You probley need a clean up crew but you need to get your level down before adding more to your tank.

 

[jaspian]

Hmmmm..... the live sand was in first... but i did have an issue with that.... some of the water drained out of the bag overnight (hole in it somehow) and i put it in the tank in the morning (store told me since it wasnt dry it would be ok)... but during my cycle my nitrates were always low (under 10). And everything checked out perfect when i added my first inhabitants.... I bet you are right... and it might actually be the something dying... i tested the DI water and its seems fine... Nitrates slightly over 0 (between 0 and 5)..... So how do I fix this?????? I cant clear out the tank and start over.
:nope:

 

[ejensen]

Can you see if there is alot of die off settling on your sand. If you have a good canister or power filter you can stir up the water and hope your filter sucks it up.

 

[jaspian]

My sand looks clean... but when i was siphoning out water the other day i bumped a rock and some "dusty stuff" flew off... my rocks actually do have marroon color on them but they are covered by brown dusty stuff..... i will try to stir things up and siphon out the sand... maybe use my powerheads to dust off the rocks.... any other suggestions??? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[ejensen]

You can vaccum it out but you will have to move all your rocks and control the water with your finger and try not to suck out too much sand.

 

[ejensen]

The power head thing would be great but remember to clean out your filters. Good luck and hopefull that is your problem

 

[jaspian]

Ill do that.... hopefully it works. ill let you know.

thanks

 

[jaspian]

Originally posted by jaspian
I just did the water change 2 days ago and my Nitrates are 30 again... but everything else is great... alkalinity is slightly high... will the water change correct this???

OOPS..... I meant Nitrates are 20 ppm not 30.... my error.... I am still doing the siphoning and water change... and cleaning my filter.... so is this more normal than you thought thinking it was 30ppm....??

 

[jaspian]

Today i did two test tube test for my nitrates (at the same time).... test kit isnt that accurate cause one was reading 10ppm and the other more like 15ppm. What is an accurate test kit for nitrates?? I had some dip strips but they suk... said my nitrates were 80ppm!!! insane

 

[birdy]

10ppm for nitrates is an acceptable level. I am wondering if you are feeding your tank anything, that can contribute to nitrate (I don't think anything is rotting in your tank, then you would show ammonia and nitrites). My first guess at your nitrate level would be your fluval, What type of media is in the filter? the filter media needs to be rinsed out at least once a week in saltwater maybe twice a week, I don't really even like cannister filters (unless I need to push some carbon through the tank or some type of polisher), or hob or wet/dry's, I prefer, LR, skimmer and refugium, I always run minimal to 0 nitrates on a system set up that way.