nitrate levels

[michael grady]

<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hi Guys,</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I need a little advice on start up. I am building a 120 gal reef with a 30 gal sump. About 3 weeks ago, I added 110 lbs of DRY Marcos rock and few lbs of live rock.</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I spoke with and the people who sell Turbo 900 and ordered 8 oz of this. Since my ammonia levels were still at zero, I added enough ammonium hydroxide to bring the ammonia up to 4ppm before adding the culture.</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I took two days for the ammonia to come to zero, but my Nitrates are still pegging the needle – 5 days later.</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I anxious to add coral and was wondering what you thoughts were about adding it with the nitrates still so high. I’m ok with waiting a while before adding fish, but wanted to add the coral if it is ok.</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, I’m no starting to see a small bloom of hair algae. How should I handle this? I have a phos reactor that I have not yet added to the system. Time to do so?</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for your help!</span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael</span></span>

 

[schwaggs]

Do you mean your nitrites are still high or your nitrates? If you really mean your nitrates are high, this is to be expected as that is the end of the nitrogen cycle. You need a long term plan to export them (refugium with macro algae, water changes, etc.).

If you are seeing algae growth, keep your lights off!

 

[michael grady]

I don't yet have a test for Nitrites...I'll get one tomorrow and report back. Is there someplace you can direct me so I read up on refugiums with macro algae?

Thanks!

 

[dawgface]

Nitrites are toxic to everything, nitrates are toxic to corals at low levels and fish at moderate. Unfortunately you need to wait a bit before you add anything, let alone corals.

 

[schwaggs]

michael grady;717634 wrote: I don't yet have a test for Nitrites...I'll get one tomorrow and report back. Is there someplace you can direct me so I read up on refugiums with macro algae?

Thanks!

Don't bother getting a nitrite kit, not really needed. What level are your nitrates? Is the ammonia reading 0?

 

[michael grady]

So, I was able tp pick up a test kit this PM.

readings as follows:

Amonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate &gt;160 ppm

pH 8.10

Should I plan on a water change -if so, what percent - and they wait how long to retest?

If I go with the macro algae in a refugium, how long should I expect the fall in nitrates to take?

Should I do both?

Thanks guys..

Michael

 

[ralph atl]

both, and you'll need some huge water changes, unless you are using an API kit, that doesn't work well....

 

[michael grady]

wow..interesting. I did use an API kit that I got at petsmart this PM. For Nitrate testing I had been using the Redsea kits. What's the issue with API?

 

[ralph atl]

They suck!

Edit: Get salifert or even better, IMHO Elos. Tropic Marin makes a good nitrate kit, too.

 

[michael grady]

Thanks for the advice...

 

[irahmatulla]

In my experience (never a tank that large) my cycles finish up just after a month. If you are anxious, add more rock, the more cured the better! You did not mention sand. Did you use dry sand? Live sand? Little o this little o that? I would advise doing about 20% per week for three weeks. This should get you to trace levels. Even then, being anxious is a large cause in crashes. Slow and steady wins the race. If you do not have a clean up crew, and you want. Pick up a few turbo snails. They will help knock out some of that algae, and help build a tiny bioload. Strengthening the cycle.

 

[tbrennan]

I would personally wait until all your stuff is at 0. Some coral is expensive and are you really willing to risk it?

 

[schwaggs]

I think your best bet for now is to bring you nitrates down by doing water changes. I would start with the biggest one you can muster (40-50%) and do 20% weekly after that until you are less than 10. Zero is better but hard to hit unless you have a large refugium or tons of live rock or both. setting up a fuge is a long term solution and won't get you anywhere quickly.

I agree on the suggestion to get cleanup crew. Since you are getting algae growth, you can add them now.

 

[markg]

Just remmeber that the secret to pollution is dilution. Try large dilutions followed by small dilutions. There is such thing as a multiple water change reduction methodand since you have no fish or coral this could work.

I have attached a link below:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/nitratecontrol/ss/sbsnitratereduction.htm">http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/nitratecontrol/ss/sbsnitratereduction.htm</a>

be warmed you are looking at about $100 worth of water

 

[rtirado]

markg;717892 wrote: be warned you are looking at about $100 worth of water

With a setup that size I would seriously hope he has an RO/DI unit in his house, lol.