Live rock growth and nitrates

sanclementereef · 11/01/2007, 11:11 AM

My nitrates have been running about 20 for over a week. I made sure to watch feeding and did a 15% water exchange but nothing seems to bring it down. The level doesn't seem to be bothering the fish or inverts. Also on my live rock there is a growth of what I assume is algae but it is mossy looking , about an inch high and my wife noticed what looks like some kind of bug living in it. Most parasites are microscopic aren't they. Wondering whether I should take out the live rock and try clean this off. What do you think?

ksouers · 11/01/2007, 10:14 PM

The nitrates are fine if you only have fish, no corals. Sounds like algae so you probably have phosphates, as well. The bug is most likely an amphipod. Bugs is good! They help keep the tank clean. Keep everything in place. You can pull the algae out by hand if possible.

Get some cleanup crew if you don't have any, snails and hermit crabs. They can help tame the algae. Consider using GFO to control the phosphates. Phosban is a good one to use. Small, frequent water changes will help.

Check the source of your water. Tap water can contain quite a bit of nitrates and phospates, my water here runs at around 10ppm nitrates. Water conditioners won't remove them, only an RO/DI filter will. If you have nitrates in your tap water and aren't using RO/DI filters to remove it, you will never get nitrates below your source level no matter how often you change it. If you are using tap water consider buying an RO filter unit or buying water from your LFS.

Get the phosphates and nitrates under control and the algae will disappear (eventually).

If it's any consolation, everyone has algae at some point. Don't give up. I let my phophates get out of hand for about a month and I've been battling the algae it caused for the past six months, but I'm winning. My tank no longer looks like a lawn and is really looking quite nice at the moment.

Patience isn't just a virtue, it's a requirement.

sanclementereef · 11/02/2007, 10:58 AM

Thanks for the encouragement Kevin. I did check the phospates and they are zero. Checked the nitrates again today and they are the same. Yeah, my rocks look like that long grass that grows!! I will get some crabs and snails to help. I do use RO/DI water and have checked that for nitrates and that is zero also.

Scuba_Steve · 11/02/2007, 12:08 PM

Your "parasites" living in your algae are probably just amphipods, which are a healthy sign and a good thing. Without a pic we cant be for certain though.

ksouers · 11/02/2007, 05:45 PM

Scuba_Steve: Thank you for your service! It's appreciated back here at home, my wife lost a long-time friend on 9/11 in the towers.

sanclementereef: Even though your test kit won't measure it you probably still have phosphates. It's bound up in the rock or in the algae, or both. The major source of phosphates it food, you can't avoid it. Generally the best way to deal with it is with GFO (granular ferric oxide) in a reactor.

JetCat had an excellent thread on
GFO performance.

Another site full of information is Melev's Reef (Marc Levenson).

sanclementereef · 11/03/2007, 09:28 AM

Kevin, Thanks for the references, I'll check them out.

11/01/2007, 11:11 AM	#1
sanclementereef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 13	Live rock growth and nitrates My nitrates have been running about 20 for over a week. I made sure to watch feeding and did a 15% water exchange but nothing seems to bring it down. The level doesn't seem to be bothering the fish or inverts. Also on my live rock there is a growth of what I assume is algae but it is mossy looking , about an inch high and my wife noticed what looks like some kind of bug living in it. Most parasites are microscopic aren't they. Wondering whether I should take out the live rock and try clean this off. What do you think?

11/01/2007, 10:14 PM	#2
ksouers Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 153	The nitrates are fine if you only have fish, no corals. Sounds like algae so you probably have phosphates, as well. The bug is most likely an amphipod. Bugs is good! They help keep the tank clean. Keep everything in place. You can pull the algae out by hand if possible. Get some cleanup crew if you don't have any, snails and hermit crabs. They can help tame the algae. Consider using GFO to control the phosphates. Phosban is a good one to use. Small, frequent water changes will help. Check the source of your water. Tap water can contain quite a bit of nitrates and phospates, my water here runs at around 10ppm nitrates. Water conditioners won't remove them, only an RO/DI filter will. If you have nitrates in your tap water and aren't using RO/DI filters to remove it, you will never get nitrates below your source level no matter how often you change it. If you are using tap water consider buying an RO filter unit or buying water from your LFS. Get the phosphates and nitrates under control and the algae will disappear (eventually). If it's any consolation, everyone has algae at some point. Don't give up. I let my phophates get out of hand for about a month and I've been battling the algae it caused for the past six months, but I'm winning. My tank no longer looks like a lawn and is really looking quite nice at the moment. Patience isn't just a virtue, it's a requirement. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef, 20g sump, GEO 612 Ca reactor, AC Jr., 1x150w, 2x250w mh

11/02/2007, 12:08 PM	#4
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Your "parasites" living in your algae are probably just amphipods, which are a healthy sign and a good thing. Without a pic we cant be for certain though. __________________ 40g DIY AIO. DT Size is 27"x18"x17" SCA-301 skimmer, DIY ATS 4"x4" 1 cube setup, Ocean Revive 120w LED, Quiet One 3000, Jager 150w TBS Rock

11/02/2007, 05:45 PM	#5
ksouers Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 153	Scuba_Steve: Thank you for your service! It's appreciated back here at home, my wife lost a long-time friend on 9/11 in the towers. sanclementereef: Even though your test kit won't measure it you probably still have phosphates. It's bound up in the rock or in the algae, or both. The major source of phosphates it food, you can't avoid it. Generally the best way to deal with it is with GFO (granular ferric oxide) in a reactor. JetCat had an excellent thread on GFO performance. Another site full of information is Melev's Reef (Marc Levenson). __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef, 20g sump, GEO 612 Ca reactor, AC Jr., 1x150w, 2x250w mh

11/02/2007, 10:58 AM	#3
sanclementereef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 13	Thanks for the encouragement Kevin. I did check the phospates and they are zero. Checked the nitrates again today and they are the same. Yeah, my rocks look like that long grass that grows!! I will get some crabs and snails to help. I do use RO/DI water and have checked that for nitrates and that is zero also.

11/03/2007, 09:28 AM	#6
sanclementereef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 13	Kevin, Thanks for the references, I'll check them out.