8g Biocube nitrates up

Shelley · #1 03-11-2013, 09:43 PM

Hi all,

I have a two month old 8g biocube with a few zoas, hermit crabs, coral banded shrimp, blue neon goby and six line wrasse. Within the last couple of weeks my nitrates have risen a bit (from 0 to around 10 ppm). Regular once per week water changes with r/o - all other parameters good. Last week when nitrates up I did a full 20% change a couple of days early and now four days later they are up again so did a partial 1g change only. If I use a nitrate destroyer without a protein skimmer (not made small enough for an 8g) will I always have to use it?

Proteus · #2 03-11-2013, 10:24 PM

How long ago did you add livestock.
What do you have for nutrient exportation

Shelley · #3 03-12-2013, 04:01 AM

Hi Titus 99,

Thanks for responding. The two fish have been in two and a half weeks at least I think. I don't have a protein skimmer as they don't make them for the 8g. I think I may be overfeeding so will cut down or go to a little bit twice per day. The livestock eat washed mysis voraciously and gobble it all up within about a minute. My friend has been doing this for years and just called to chat about it and he's bringing me some cheato later in the week. I'm not going to use the nitrate destroyer after all and will take it back unopened.

I should clarify that I do a 25% water change weekly and the nitrates started rising in relation to the fish addition obviously. They had been zero with just the soft corals in there. I have started a larger tank with a protein skimmer and it's just settling in.

Any other suggestions would be helpful and thanks again.

Proteus · #4 03-12-2013, 11:58 AM

I would think that new fish and over feeding are the issue
For the cheato from your friend I would use a hob style filter with a reading lamp over it. Just replace the filter media with cheato
There are skimmers or dyi that could suit your needs but are unnessecsary in your case.
Spot feed your fish so you don't have organics going to waste in your tank and keep up with water changes

You could also look into dosing a carbon source but it would have to be very percise with a small water volume

Dearth · #5 03-12-2013, 03:01 PM

Have you considered a hang on filter like Aquaclear? While its not a protein skimmer it would help in getting rid of some of the larger floaters out

Borderjumper · #6 03-12-2013, 03:32 PM

I too would be really careful dosing in a tank that small.. Try just upping your water changes and it should resolve itself.

pinkreef · #7 03-12-2013, 03:41 PM

hi shelly,
i would stick to really small fish like your neon goby
the 6 line needs to swim a lot, i would trade him in for something tiny
(besides they are on the aggresive side imo)
barb

i love smilies

jacamarorchids · #8 03-13-2013, 02:17 AM

Oh Pinkreef, I have already tried to warn her of your sixline problems....

pinkreef · #9 03-13-2013, 03:06 PM

JUST AN

YOU PROBABLY WANT A PEACEFUL TANK WITH BEAUTIFUL FRIENDLY
CREATURES

Skimmerking · #10 03-13-2013, 03:15 PM

with a 8 g tank there isnt any reason to have Nitrates. if you have a 5 gal empty pail of salt. do a water change with that 5 gal will really take the nitrates away doing small water changes will not take care of the Nitrates.
I would doing like 75% and then check your nitrates in 1 day to see if you are having it rise again. if it is then start looking at what you have in there for live stock and how much you are feeding.