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06/19/2007, 07:27 PM | #1 |
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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 |
Claris or Elliot?
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how long has it been since a water change?
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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, 08:34 PM | #3 |
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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 |
06/19/2007, 09:16 PM | #4 |
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I would start doing weekly water changes. 15-20%. Are you using any mechanical media? Also, what substrate are you using?
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06/20/2007, 08:25 AM | #5 |
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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 |
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Location: marietta, ga
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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, 10:51 AM | #7 | |||||||
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hope this clarifies.
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Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront |
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06/20/2007, 11:00 AM | #8 | |
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Asking dumb questions since '06! Or, a dumby asking questions since '06! Current Tank Info: 29G FW, 75G LPSing |
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06/20/2007, 11:43 AM | #9 |
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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???? |
06/20/2007, 11:59 AM | #10 | |||||||
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Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront |
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06/22/2007, 08:02 AM | #11 |
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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 |
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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. |
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