Nitrates finally at 0 - YAY

Mavrk · 10/04/2007, 05:40 PM

Well after 2 months, my nitrates finally test at 0 using an API test kit.

All my saltwater tanks have been FOWLR, so getting nitrates to 0 was never really a goal. I have always tried to keep it below 40 or 50ppm because of algae, but this is totally new to me (other than advising others how to do it).

I know some of it is still caught up in the algae in the tank, but my phosban reactor will be here in a week and that should get rid of the algae (plus manual removal continues).

I have also ordered Calcium, Alkalinity, and Phosphate tests. I don't expect much from the phosphate test except to tell me if my phosban (actually PhosPure) needs replacement. I think my alkalinity is low from using Oceanic salt, but am in the middle of switching to Reef Crystals. I will test for this before buffering of course.

Piscator · 10/04/2007, 05:43 PM

Congrats. Were they high before and you got them down to zero? Or is this just the end of your initial cycle? If they were previously higher...what things did you do to get them down?

Mavrk · 10/04/2007, 06:27 PM

This is from the initial cycle, and I can't say it was every really high, but it was still a process.
During my cycle, my nitrates went up to 20ppm. A couple water changes got them down to 15. They sat at 15 for a few weeks. In the mean time I put in a ball of chaeto, ran my skimmer wet, and removed algae by hand (none of my CUC wanted to touch the cyano and brown hair algae).
The number dropped to 10, and was there for a couple more weeks. Two weeks ago it was in between 5 and 10, and I added some nassarius snails (and some more trochus snails). I did a water change last week using half Reef Crystal and half Oceanic (figured I would change slowly). Then it was at 5. I did a water change yesterday (again half RC, half Oceanic), and when I tested today it was 0.

I did one 20% water change toward the beginning, then two 10% changes during the next week. Then 10% changes weekly from there on out.

I lost two fish to aggression (between my chromis), and my nitrates did not change. My skimmer went crazy with the second one because I could not find the body and the critters in the tank took care of it.

DrBegalke · 10/04/2007, 06:45 PM

I use 50/50 Oceanic/Instant Ocean for water changes... comes out just right.

Stay tuned for results from the lab analysis of salt mixes:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1216536

specopsteam · 10/04/2007, 06:58 PM

you guys are talking about reef crystal salt, I just changed from from oceanic and ive seen a big increase in brown algea is this the reason?

USC-fan · 10/04/2007, 07:23 PM

Are you using RO/DI? Oceanic is not a balance salt so that might be the problem.

I like reef crystals and that is what i use.

specopsteam · 10/04/2007, 07:27 PM

Im using straight tap water and then using chems to make it pure.
Although i have been looking into a RO/DI

CruzinKim · 10/04/2007, 07:43 PM

Cheekymonkey · 10/04/2007, 07:43 PM

congrats man I know how that goes i'm going through the same process at the end of my cycle I was over 60, now i'm down to 5, still working my way down, chaeto going in this coming week

jcpatella · 10/04/2007, 08:01 PM

I'm jealous! I still can't get below 20, but I just removed most of my mechanical filtration (sponges) and am getting chaeto this weekend. Hopefully that will help put me down to 0.

Mavrk · 10/04/2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jcpatella
I'm jealous! I still can't get below 20, but I just removed most of my mechanical filtration (sponges) and am getting chaeto this weekend. Hopefully that will help put me down to 0.

Yeah, to help clear the water a bit, I ran a sock for a little bit. But now I only do that after I stir up the water, and take it out the next day. I also have no prefilter on my return pump. I don't think the DSB is converting nitrate to nitrogen gas yet, but I hope it will eventually (I think this takes about 6 months).

Believe it or not, my chaeto never really exploded like I see from others. It did become a tight ball and has definately grown. However, It is nowhere near as big as others I have seen here after 2 months.

10/04/2007, 05:40 PM	#1
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Nitrates finally at 0 - YAY Well after 2 months, my nitrates finally test at 0 using an API test kit. All my saltwater tanks have been FOWLR, so getting nitrates to 0 was never really a goal. I have always tried to keep it below 40 or 50ppm because of algae, but this is totally new to me (other than advising others how to do it). I know some of it is still caught up in the algae in the tank, but my phosban reactor will be here in a week and that should get rid of the algae (plus manual removal continues). I have also ordered Calcium, Alkalinity, and Phosphate tests. I don't expect much from the phosphate test except to tell me if my phosban (actually PhosPure) needs replacement. I think my alkalinity is low from using Oceanic salt, but am in the middle of switching to Reef Crystals. I will test for this before buffering of course.

10/04/2007, 05:43 PM	#2
Piscator Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Whitinsville MA Posts: 264	Congrats. Were they high before and you got them down to zero? Or is this just the end of your initial cycle? If they were previously higher...what things did you do to get them down? __________________ -Jason Prayer is Protein Skimming for the Soul Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. + 30 Gal sump, PC lights, LR, Skimmer, fuge; 30 gal. livebearer tank; 55 gal. SA Cichlid tank in progress...

10/04/2007, 06:45 PM	#4
DrBegalke Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix area, AZ Posts: 2,599	I use 50/50 Oceanic/Instant Ocean for water changes... comes out just right. Stay tuned for results from the lab analysis of salt mixes: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1216536 __________________ ~Jason Begalke Current Tank Info: Latest project: JBJ Cubey

10/04/2007, 06:58 PM	#5
specopsteam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 156	you guys are talking about reef crystal salt, I just changed from from oceanic and ive seen a big increase in brown algea is this the reason? __________________ There is no such thing as death only change RIP Duke I LOVE WILD TURKEY RARE BREED!!!!! Current Tank Info: 55 gal tank, Starting my 75 soon

10/04/2007, 07:27 PM	#7
specopsteam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 156	Im using straight tap water and then using chems to make it pure. Although i have been looking into a RO/DI __________________ There is no such thing as death only change RIP Duke I LOVE WILD TURKEY RARE BREED!!!!! Current Tank Info: 55 gal tank, Starting my 75 soon

10/04/2007, 06:27 PM	#3
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	This is from the initial cycle, and I can't say it was every really high, but it was still a process. During my cycle, my nitrates went up to 20ppm. A couple water changes got them down to 15. They sat at 15 for a few weeks. In the mean time I put in a ball of chaeto, ran my skimmer wet, and removed algae by hand (none of my CUC wanted to touch the cyano and brown hair algae). The number dropped to 10, and was there for a couple more weeks. Two weeks ago it was in between 5 and 10, and I added some nassarius snails (and some more trochus snails). I did a water change last week using half Reef Crystal and half Oceanic (figured I would change slowly). Then it was at 5. I did a water change yesterday (again half RC, half Oceanic), and when I tested today it was 0. I did one 20% water change toward the beginning, then two 10% changes during the next week. Then 10% changes weekly from there on out. I lost two fish to aggression (between my chromis), and my nitrates did not change. My skimmer went crazy with the second one because I could not find the body and the critters in the tank took care of it.

10/04/2007, 07:23 PM	#6
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	Are you using RO/DI? Oceanic is not a balance salt so that might be the problem. I like reef crystals and that is what i use.

10/04/2007, 07:43 PM	#8
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	Re: Nitrates finally at 0 - YAY

10/04/2007, 07:43 PM	#9
Cheekymonkey Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,211	congrats man I know how that goes i'm going through the same process at the end of my cycle I was over 60, now i'm down to 5, still working my way down, chaeto going in this coming week __________________ Joshua Solomon ORCA President 2010 Click my red house and help me with my 300G build. Current Tank Info: 300G in progress, 120G SPS/LPS Reef, 40G Mushroom/Zoa, 50G Zeroedge Clam/Gorgonian Tank

10/04/2007, 08:01 PM	#10
jcpatella Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 814	I'm jealous! I still can't get below 20, but I just removed most of my mechanical filtration (sponges) and am getting chaeto this weekend. Hopefully that will help put me down to 0. __________________ Dogs - Man's best friend; entropy's greatest catalyst. Current Tank Info: Biocube 8 on the way!