High Nitrates in Biocube 29

sgiordano · 01/24/2010, 07:48 PM

I just got a used Biocube 29 about two weeks ago, it was running well with some live rock and sand as well as two damsels and a few hermit crabs and snails. To move it I had to remove about half of the water, I filled it back up with tap and and got my SG to 1.024. I recently got two new bulbs, a 10K and Actinic, each 36 watts, 15 lbs of live rock and about 15 of dry. All in all it has about fourty pounds of rock and a 3 inch sand bed. I also purchased some GSP and Green Encrusting Montipora, as well as a blood shrimp and a green haed sleeper goby. My question is this, my ammonia levels have read zero since I got it, my nitrites went from 1ppm to zero in the first week, and Ive kept the pH around 8.2 with some Seachem buffer I got at the fish store, however my nitrates have constantly increaced from 5ppm to around 60ppm this afternoon. My friend gave me about 7 gallons of ro/di and I changed the water yesterday, but when I tested the water today the nitarates were still the same as before the change! What should I do? Too many organisms in the tank too soon? Should I get a skimmer and try vodka? I have always wanted a tannk, and I dont want to see my first one die in two weeks. Please HELP. Thanks yall.

ReefKeeper2009 · 01/24/2010, 08:08 PM

If I had to guess it seems like you started a mini cycle by moving the tank around. How long was the tank set up before you got it? Also you may have too many organisms in the tank a little bit early. Give your tank sometime to settle down before adding anything else. A skimmer would help with the bio load that you have. As for the vodka I can't comment on it because I have never used it. But like I said give your tank a little time to settle down before adding anything else. Maybe buy a quality skimmer and most importantly try not to use tap due to all the impurities associated with it. Hope this helps Tony

spleify · 01/24/2010, 08:28 PM

To Reef Central

I agree, sounds like you have a little cycle going on there. If it has a deep sand bed in it and you moved you you surely disturbed a lot of stuff there. I would do a series of 20% water changes every other day for a week or so. Get a good skimmer, and set up a sump/refugium if you have the space for it.

IMO I would remove a 1/2 of sand a week until you get down to a shallow sand bed and leave it shallow, but that is a discussion for another time.

HTH

Good luck

firebirdude · 01/24/2010, 08:30 PM

Hey! A fellow Gator in Gainesville!! AND another fellow BC29 owner to boot!!!!

I'm sure ReefKeeper is correct. You likely stirred up a lot of garbage when you moved the tank. You need to ensure you get all three zeros before you continue with your tank. Do water changes at least once a week until you get your parameters in check. Then try to do them once every other week. You still have the Bioballs in the back 2nd chamber? If so, ditch em. They're garbage traps in a reef system.

Here's my build if you wanna take a look. PM me. I live right near Archer and 13th.

sgiordano · 01/24/2010, 08:31 PM

Thanks, Tony. I know oceanic makes a skimmer for the biocube, if anyone has comments on that model or a more desireable one, please let me know.

firebirdude · 01/24/2010, 08:32 PM

The Oceanic Biocube skimmer shouldn't even be called a skimmer. lol I ran the Sapphire for a little while, I wouldn't buy it again either. Lots of people have great luck with the Tunze 9002. It fits in the second chamber.

sgiordano · 01/24/2010, 08:52 PM

Thanks firebirdude, Ill get on that. In responce to spliffys post, what size sump should I get and where can I find directions on how to put it in, regarding the stock hood and pump. Also I was looking at a halide retrofit on nanotuners, any knowlege out there about that mod kit?

01/24/2010, 07:48 PM	#1
sgiordano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 53	High Nitrates in Biocube 29 I just got a used Biocube 29 about two weeks ago, it was running well with some live rock and sand as well as two damsels and a few hermit crabs and snails. To move it I had to remove about half of the water, I filled it back up with tap and and got my SG to 1.024. I recently got two new bulbs, a 10K and Actinic, each 36 watts, 15 lbs of live rock and about 15 of dry. All in all it has about fourty pounds of rock and a 3 inch sand bed. I also purchased some GSP and Green Encrusting Montipora, as well as a blood shrimp and a green haed sleeper goby. My question is this, my ammonia levels have read zero since I got it, my nitrites went from 1ppm to zero in the first week, and Ive kept the pH around 8.2 with some Seachem buffer I got at the fish store, however my nitrates have constantly increaced from 5ppm to around 60ppm this afternoon. My friend gave me about 7 gallons of ro/di and I changed the water yesterday, but when I tested the water today the nitarates were still the same as before the change! What should I do? Too many organisms in the tank too soon? Should I get a skimmer and try vodka? I have always wanted a tannk, and I dont want to see my first one die in two weeks. Please HELP. Thanks yall.

01/24/2010, 08:28 PM	#3
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	*To Reef Central* I agree, sounds like you have a little cycle going on there. If it has a deep sand bed in it and you moved you you surely disturbed a lot of stuff there. I would do a series of 20% water changes every other day for a week or so. Get a good skimmer, and set up a sump/refugium if you have the space for it. IMO I would remove a 1/2 of sand a week until you get down to a shallow sand bed and leave it shallow, but that is a discussion for another time. HTH Good luck __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

01/24/2010, 08:08 PM	#2
ReefKeeper2009 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Anchorage Posts: 142	If I had to guess it seems like you started a mini cycle by moving the tank around. How long was the tank set up before you got it? Also you may have too many organisms in the tank a little bit early. Give your tank sometime to settle down before adding anything else. A skimmer would help with the bio load that you have. As for the vodka I can't comment on it because I have never used it. But like I said give your tank a little time to settle down before adding anything else. Maybe buy a quality skimmer and most importantly try not to use tap due to all the impurities associated with it. Hope this helps Tony

01/24/2010, 08:30 PM	#4
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	Hey! A fellow Gator in Gainesville!! AND another fellow BC29 owner to boot!!!! I'm sure ReefKeeper is correct. You likely stirred up a lot of garbage when you moved the tank. You need to ensure you get all three zeros before you continue with your tank. Do water changes at least once a week until you get your parameters in check. Then try to do them once every other week. You still have the Bioballs in the back 2nd chamber? If so, ditch em. They're garbage traps in a reef system. Here's my build if you wanna take a look. PM me. I live right near Archer and 13th.

01/24/2010, 08:31 PM	#5
sgiordano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 53	Thanks, Tony. I know oceanic makes a skimmer for the biocube, if anyone has comments on that model or a more desireable one, please let me know.

01/24/2010, 08:32 PM	#6
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	The Oceanic Biocube skimmer shouldn't even be called a skimmer. lol I ran the Sapphire for a little while, I wouldn't buy it again either. Lots of people have great luck with the Tunze 9002. It fits in the second chamber.

01/24/2010, 08:52 PM	#7
sgiordano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gainesville, Fl Posts: 53	Thanks firebirdude, Ill get on that. In responce to spliffys post, what size sump should I get and where can I find directions on how to put it in, regarding the stock hood and pump. Also I was looking at a halide retrofit on nanotuners, any knowlege out there about that mod kit?