Nitrates

[Imanz0]

Well, I've started a 14 gallon nano cube! I got 20 pounds of live sand, and 23 pounds of live rock. (Wanted good biofilter) -This is my first, and am up to any new suggestions. My main question is about my nitrates. Right now, in the back of it, I got bio balls. I have heard from many people that i should take them out, and put live rock in there. I want to know if i should do that, and the reason if any of you guys know. Second, I want to know about protein skimmer, i have bought one for it, but i have heard that i should wait 1 month before putting it in, and i want to know if i should put it in now. (2 weeks). And the main reason of this is that my nitrates have gone to 20. Im not sure what im doing wrong, but im almost posotive that it is because of my butterfly fish, because i got to feed it algea strips, and sometimes it just goes in the rocks and gets lost. And im sure that its bringing, it down, So, im guessing that i should do a water change right now? Im planning on doing it every week for 2 gallons starting this saturday. So any suggestions? I have had my other fish tank for 7 months or so now, but i want this one to be perfect, anyone know whats wrong? Any help will do.

[demonsp]

Your main question is nitrates?
Your tank is 7 months old?
Is the butterfly the only stock you have?
Whats used for water flow?

[Imanz0]

No this is my new one, i upgraded it from fresh water, to a new tank. I got a clown, butterfly, and a bicolor angel, My main questtion is how to get those nitrates down. Iv had this for about 3 weeks now, put in fish last week since it cycled. And wich better to use, and when , the filter cartrege, or the protein skimmer.

[Imanz0]

And the flow comes out the back, its really powerfull and nice, what i got is a oceanic 14 gallon tank (nano), and do i take bio balls out, or keep them there? Or replace with live rock?

[Ehaze]

nitrates are alright for fish, for coral and inverts do your best to get it to 0

[demonsp]

There are a few ways.
Water changes?
Flow?
Water source?
Feeding amount and scedule?
Amount of LR and SB and there condition ?
Type of CUC?
Tanks age?
And the bio balls are nitrate collectors.
Without your tanks specs then you will only get guessing.

[Imanz0]

I feed just once a day.
Amount of LR and SB and there condition ? - what that?
Type of CUC?- what that?
Tanks age?- 3 weeks, and cycled

[demonsp]

3 weeks i dought its cyced and the fact your adding stock only slows the cycle down. ( http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bio...a/aa073199.htm ).
CUC is a cleanup crew like snails and crabs.
LR is live rock and SB is sandbed or substrate.

Do you have any powerheads?

[Ehaze]

Get a sulphur denitrator, or coil, or http://www.aquaripure.com/?gclid=CK3...FR3JYAodGmwlQg

i have a aquaripure, now I don't do water changes. (i do but only 1 time a month!)

[demonsp]

This is a 3 week old tank.It needs to cycle and readings need to stay stable before adding any tool. Get an understanding of the basics before you add any uneeded tools that will only confuse you more.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/sta...opmistakes.htm

[Imanz0]

CUC - none, im planning on the following and im getting tomarow.

Nassorius snail -3
bionch snail -1
scarlet reef hermit - 5
Live rock, 23 pounds, live sand, 2 inch (20 pounds).

I think my tank was cycled though, they went up, then i waited, and they came down in a week, maybe since i got so much live sand and so much live rock in my tank, it easily did it. So hypothetically speaking, lets say it didnt cycle, and i got fish in there, not planning on corals, wats the bad thing that might happen?

[demonsp]

The CUC help control algea and fish waste.You should start with a few CUC then wait and add fish then wait and add more CUC.Keep a balance. After 3 weeks if it looks cycled then wait a few more just to be sure.Your beneficial bacteria are youg and need time to grow and support the bio load.Adding to much load up front means they need longer to mature.

Then whats used for water movement?

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bio...a/aa073199.htm

[Imanz0]

Ok, my water movement is like this, the filter takes water in through one side, and on the other side, there is this opening, amd underwater, like a power head the water is blown out.

[demonsp]

A pic would be great.
If all you use for water movement is some hang on back filter or skimmer then your lacking. Low flow allowes uneatin food ,fish waste and other debris to collect on the bottom in the sand and the rock and around the rock and becomes a nitrate factor.Then if you have bio balls your adding to this.

[Imanz0]

So you want me to point the filter thing towards the sand?, and i can email you a pic if you want.

[demonsp]

Open a www.photobucket.com account for easier pic sharing.

I want to know all the equipment u use for water movement?

[Imanz0]

ok so i upload it to the site?

[demonsp]

Yes and you dont have to adjust the pic to fit.

[Imanz0]

I uploaded, how i show to you now?

[demonsp]

If you have a pic in there then the bottom link works great.Just left clivk your mouse and it will say copied the come back and right click and paste in your repley. You will see link and after it loads in you will see the pic.

[Imanz0]

Ok, go to photobucket.com, then type in Imanz1 in the search bar, then it sais do you mean user Imanz1, click on it, then click on the pic to make it bigger, the thing on the top left is like a powerhead hitting the water, with power out of it 24/7

[Imanz0]

It wont let me paste it. Go to this. http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSC00764.jpg

[Imanz0]

See that thing near top left? That is what im talking about.

[demonsp]

You dont need to click on the pick.Below the pick are 4 links.The bottom is a IMG link.Left click that to copy then right click on your RC repley to copy it.

[Imanz0]