Worms?
- Thread starter downunder
- Start date
downunder
Member
TIMO, yes I do have a elivated nitrate level. I have been trying to do water changes as often as possible, but can't seem to get it down below 80! Everything else is in good shape, just the trates are high. Any suggestions on lowering the trates other than the water changes? I read where plants are good for lowering trates, but can't find much of anything other than calupra.
timo
Member
These levels are a product of what goes in, stays there. Some routes are: feeding, water added, additives, or other environmental things, and others I can't think of ...
As these critters need food, you are obviously feeding too much, hence the nitrate.
While it is true that these creatures play a major role in the symbiosis of the reef tank, it is assumed that a balanced ecosystem has an excess of nothing. When an elevated population of any creature appears, that is a system out of balance, and as the balance is restored naturally, as these worms will eventually multiply and eat themselves out of food, they will starve and die, thus leaving crews of decaying bristleworm carcasses, a system once again out of balance, to then be populated by some other organism that eats these, until extinguised, and on ad infinitum.
So there, yes, nuisance leves.
HTH
Tim
As these critters need food, you are obviously feeding too much, hence the nitrate.
While it is true that these creatures play a major role in the symbiosis of the reef tank, it is assumed that a balanced ecosystem has an excess of nothing. When an elevated population of any creature appears, that is a system out of balance, and as the balance is restored naturally, as these worms will eventually multiply and eat themselves out of food, they will starve and die, thus leaving crews of decaying bristleworm carcasses, a system once again out of balance, to then be populated by some other organism that eats these, until extinguised, and on ad infinitum.
So there, yes, nuisance leves.
HTH
Tim
downunder
Member
Thanks for the info TimO! You are right with overfeeding being the main issue. I have an auto feeder that goes off twice a day. I guess I need to still tweek the amount of food it is dropping. Once that has been adjusted correctly, maybe that and the water changes will help get the trates back down. What you said about the BW dieing off then leaves another issue of their bodies decaying. Sally-lightfoot crabs I read are pretty good for cleaning up. I had one several months ago die on me, before then, didn't really notice the BW's as much. Maybe I should pick up another one.
Thanks again for your input!
Thanks again for your input!
timo
Member
You're welcome. It is my pleasue to help.
Remember, even if your crabs enjoy BW carnage, it still, overall, adds to the biomass and would be as if you yourself were adding them as a foodstuff.
Anyway, you can avoid a crash by cutting down slowly and feed the fish yourself. Do you vacation often or travel for work? By feeding in person, you can see what the fish eat then apply that to the auto feeder.
Remember, even if your crabs enjoy BW carnage, it still, overall, adds to the biomass and would be as if you yourself were adding them as a foodstuff.
Anyway, you can avoid a crash by cutting down slowly and feed the fish yourself. Do you vacation often or travel for work? By feeding in person, you can see what the fish eat then apply that to the auto feeder.
downunder
Member
Thanks again everyone for the responses. I think I'll take your advice TimO and hand feed once a day. We travel alot, but not that much that I need to auto feed everyday. It was mainly because I was told to feed twice a day, once in morning, once at night. Mornings are real rushed around this house, and just didn't have the extra time or mental capabilities for the morning feedings!
Thanks again!!
Thanks again!!