phosphate levels dropped nitrates didn't

ryanpal · 06/19/2007, 07:27 PM

hey guys. my tanks levels were a bit off after the move. i did as some suggested on here and didn't feed the fish. i actually did it in intervals. 2 days not feeding..then fed them. 2 days w/out again then fed them. i tested the water today and it seems the phosphates are pretty much at 0 but the nitrates are still at 40 if not more. any reason for this? anything i should try next?

thanks in advance!

davidryder · 06/19/2007, 08:24 PM

how long has it been since a water change?

ryanpal · 06/19/2007, 08:34 PM

ive had the tank less than a month. during the move we lost about 30 or more gallons of water that were made. i add about 2.5 gallons every two days due to evaporation.

i have not done an official water change just yet

drummereef · 06/19/2007, 09:16 PM

I would start doing weekly water changes. 15-20%. Are you using any mechanical media? Also, what substrate are you using?

ryanpal · 06/20/2007, 08:25 AM

the only mechanical media im using is the thermometer. the test kit is used by colored drops and matching against the color chart.

the previous owner seems to think it's not accurate and that the fish would be doing poorly (which they are not).

i have live sand, not substrate.

hope this clarifies.

ghostrida3 · 06/20/2007, 10:34 AM

when he says mechanical media he means like bio balls or some sort of filter element.

the live sand should help keep the nitrates down considering how deep ur sand bed is.

i would do a water change. ur nitrates sound about right considering u havent done a water change in so long. just adding back the evap water doesnt help.

when i first got in this hobby i never changed the water but over the years ive found its one of the most important things u can do as far as keeping a healthy tank. nitrates will keep rising just part of the cycle. and water changes is one of the only and best ways to remove them.

Travis L. Stevens · 06/20/2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

hey guys. my tanks levels were a bit off after the move. i did as some suggested on here and didn't feed the fish. i actually did it in intervals. 2 days not feeding..then fed them. 2 days w/out again then fed them. i tested the water today and it seems the phosphates are pretty much at 0 but the nitrates are still at 40 if not more. any reason for this? anything i should try next?

Well, that's good news. But if the tank is young, there will still be things producing ammonia to eventually add to the nitrate buildup. You just won't be able to detect it with standard test kits. Also, remember that livestock creates waste that will break down into nitrates. It's inevitable. On the other hand, if you have enough live rock, there should eventually be enough bacteria to take care of the problem. Since the rock can't seem to handle this, you might need more rock, and water changes are always great.

Quote:

ive had the tank less than a month.

It's still settling out, and will do so for the next few months, so don't do anything too drastic.

Quote:

during the move we lost about 30 or more gallons of water that were made. i add about 2.5 gallons every two days due to evaporation.

I'm sure you know, but it never hurts to check. You are topping off with freshwater and not saltwater, right?

Quote:

i have not done an official water change just yet

It wouldn't hurt to do a 10-20% water change. Find a schedule and amount that suits you, but you should establish a routine. Something to the effects of 10% biweekly is good.

Quote:

the only mechanical media im using is the thermometer. the test kit is used by colored drops and matching against the color chart.

By Mechanical Media, we're talking about methods to physically remove debris. Things like HOB Power Filters and Skimmers can do this. Thermometers and titration test kits are just things to test with.

Quote:

the previous owner seems to think it's not accurate and that the fish would be doing poorly (which they are not).

What's not accurate?

Quote:

i have live sand, not substrate.

Substrate is actually just the term to ask about what you have on the bottom of your tank. You can have no substrate or substrate. You chose sand to be your substrate.

hope this clarifies.

danch · 06/20/2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryanpal

the previous owner seems to think it's not accurate and that the fish would be doing poorly (which they are not).

40ppm wouldn't bother most fish much anyway, especially if they're used to it.

ryanpal · 06/20/2007, 11:43 AM

looks like i misunderstood some terminology

--
here are some answers to the questions:

-i'm using a protein skimmer
-the tank is new for me, but is actually 6 years old total
-i'm not using bioballs
-the previous owner seens to think the "test kit" isn't active. since the levels haven't come down
-there's over 100lbs of live rock in this 150gal tank. i think we are "ok" in that department
-and i have been toping it off with salt water (not fresh water) because the salinity was a little low.

i should be toping this off with fresh water only????

Travis L. Stevens · 06/20/2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryanpal
looks like i misunderstood some terminology

It happens to the best of us

Quote:

i'm using a protein skimmer

That's great. What type?

Quote:

the tank is new for me, but is actually 6 years old total

After moving it and resetting it up to your likings, you might as well consider it one month old.

Quote:

i'm not using bioballs

Good. You'll be glad that you aren't.

Quote:

the previous owner seens to think the "test kit" isn't active. since the levels haven't come down

While this isn't a clear indicator of a bad test kit, it wouldn't hurt to buy a new one unless you know how old the one you are using is.

Quote:

there's over 100lbs of live rock in this 150gal tank. i think we are "ok" in that department

Actually, that isn't very much. And depending on the density of the rock, it might do very little for biological filtration. Technically, it could be sufficient if it is good rock. Couple this with some water changes to get it all under control again, and you should be good.

Quote:

and i have been toping it off with salt water (not fresh water) because the salinity was a little low.

i should be toping this off with fresh water only????

Yes and no. Yes, you should only use freshwater on a normal basis. No, since you said you are trying to raise the salinity. Once you reach your target salinity, start using only freshwater. Remember, water evaporates, but salt doesn't.

ryanpal · 06/22/2007, 08:02 AM

hi again. i'm not sure what kind of skimmer it is...i'll drop the old owner an email to find out.

the test kit is brand new, purchased it the next day i setup the tank.

thanks for your replies ;]

ryanpal · 07/12/2007, 11:09 AM

hello again guys.

i've tried the following:

1. didn't feed the fish for a few days
2. did a water change of about 15% (would have done more but i ran out of buckets)

the tank itself looks like its doing well. the mushroom, corals etc. look like they are growing and thriving nicely.

the problem is i checked the nitrates again and they seem around 60 or more. this doesn't make sense to me. wouldn't i be seeing a negative effect on the tank and fish if this was the case?

what can i do to get these nitrates to drop...i figured they would have decreased more than this already.

06/19/2007, 07:27 PM	#1
ryanpal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 756	phosphate levels dropped nitrates didn't hey guys. my tanks levels were a bit off after the move. i did as some suggested on here and didn't feed the fish. i actually did it in intervals. 2 days not feeding..then fed them. 2 days w/out again then fed them. i tested the water today and it seems the phosphates are pretty much at 0 but the nitrates are still at 40 if not more. any reason for this? anything i should try next? thanks in advance!

06/19/2007, 08:24 PM	#2
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	how long has it been since a water change? __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

06/19/2007, 09:16 PM	#4
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I would start doing weekly water changes. 15-20%. Are you using any mechanical media? Also, what substrate are you using? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

06/19/2007, 08:34 PM	#3
ryanpal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 756	ive had the tank less than a month. during the move we lost about 30 or more gallons of water that were made. i add about 2.5 gallons every two days due to evaporation. i have not done an official water change just yet

06/20/2007, 08:25 AM	#5
ryanpal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 756	the only mechanical media im using is the thermometer. the test kit is used by colored drops and matching against the color chart. the previous owner seems to think it's not accurate and that the fish would be doing poorly (which they are not). i have live sand, not substrate. hope this clarifies.

06/20/2007, 10:34 AM	#6
ghostrida3 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: marietta, ga Posts: 477	when he says mechanical media he means like bio balls or some sort of filter element. the live sand should help keep the nitrates down considering how deep ur sand bed is. i would do a water change. ur nitrates sound about right considering u havent done a water change in so long. just adding back the evap water doesnt help. when i first got in this hobby i never changed the water but over the years ive found its one of the most important things u can do as far as keeping a healthy tank. nitrates will keep rising just part of the cycle. and water changes is one of the only and best ways to remove them.

06/20/2007, 11:43 AM	#9
ryanpal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 756	looks like i misunderstood some terminology -- here are some answers to the questions: -i'm using a protein skimmer -the tank is new for me, but is actually 6 years old total -i'm not using bioballs -the previous owner seens to think the "test kit" isn't active. since the levels haven't come down -there's over 100lbs of live rock in this 150gal tank. i think we are "ok" in that department -and i have been toping it off with salt water (not fresh water) because the salinity was a little low. i should be toping this off with fresh water only????

06/22/2007, 08:02 AM	#11
ryanpal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 756	hi again. i'm not sure what kind of skimmer it is...i'll drop the old owner an email to find out. the test kit is brand new, purchased it the next day i setup the tank. thanks for your replies ;]

07/12/2007, 11:09 AM	#12
ryanpal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 756	hello again guys. i've tried the following: 1. didn't feed the fish for a few days 2. did a water change of about 15% (would have done more but i ran out of buckets) the tank itself looks like its doing well. the mushroom, corals etc. look like they are growing and thriving nicely. the problem is i checked the nitrates again and they seem around 60 or more. this doesn't make sense to me. wouldn't i be seeing a negative effect on the tank and fish if this was the case? what can i do to get these nitrates to drop...i figured they would have decreased more than this already.