Just about had it now!!!

[findingnemo1]

Okay i need some advice before i just pack it in.

I have a 90 gallon that is the downgrade of the 120. I have always had a nitrate problem. So in order to fix that i have sone weekly water changes. Cut down on the food. Downgraded my fish load. But i still frickin have them. I have a Montipora confusa that is sadly pretty much toast. All the flesh is receding from the top. And a birdsnest that is showing skeleton. And have lost a few more in the last month.
Oddly enough the acroporas are all healthy and thriving.

Here is my system in a nut shell:
90 Gallon
40Gallon Sump
Euro reef rs250 skimmer
2-400 watt halides.
2 of the biggest seio pumps
1 of the medium seio( sorry can't remember there size numbers right now)
Ball of cheato in the sump
2 phosban reactors running carbon and phosban
window fan keeping temp at 80 with halides on
Tests are as follows

Calcium 400
Alk 9
Ntrite 0
ph 8.2
Nitrate 60

So here were my thoughts. Before i just give up in general by flushing my money away

Either
A: a diy denitrator
B: Zeovite
C: A refugium tank set up beside the tank somehow feeding water back and forth
D: Reefresh
E: All or a combination of the above or
F: GIve up and sell it all..lol

Suggestions?

Thanks Craig

[Jason McK]

Is the Cheato in the sump have a light on it? is it growing and if so are you triming it?
Have you tested your source water for Nitrates?

what is your current fish load?

Sorry for all the questions but it will help everyone help you

J

[Reefer Rob]

You don't say how old your system is or what your bioload is. With a system like your's your shouldn't have nitrates. Are your rocks arranged nice and loose so water can flow around them well? Do you have sand that isn't vacuumed regularly? Areas of detritus collection? Lots of flow around your Chaeto?

[Delphinus]

How many lbs of rock do you have?

Are you using RO/DI or tap water?

[Scavenger]

Have you checked your source water for nitrates? Also checking your mixed water before adding might be an idea. Perhaps you have a contaminated bucket of salt. At the very least it would remove any doubt about what's going into the tank water wise.

[danny zubot]

What kind of test kit are you using?

[findingnemo1]

Okay will try and get all the questions answered:

There is a light on the cheato. The current fish load is 1 small regal angel,1 potters,1 flagfin and no none of them nip i have watched them regularily. 1 6line,1 royal gramma and a a 6line.
I have tested the water and nitrates in the source.

System is 4months old in this tank and was 18months old in the other. Everything was moved including water to the new tank.

I wouldn't say the rocks are tight. There are lots of little swim throughs so no i wouldn't say tight.I wonder about the sand. Don't see anything visible on it but maybe it is there and i am just not seeing it.

There is about 130 pounds of rock and yep i use ro/di. Although i think it could use to be changed now.

Never thought about the salt being contaminated though. I will test that when i get home from work.

I use salifert. They are all good for expiry wise. I have also checked it against another kit i have and they are looking about the same.

I have always wondered how people say they have no nitrates. I have always had them even when i had the softies tank. I was hoping when i transffered it all over and cut down on the fish it would help. As i had tangs in the big tank which i had thought was adding to the waste problem.

Just frustrated

[PoonTang]

when you moved the tank did you rinse out the sand or just dump it in? how deep is the sand?

[Zylumn]

It looks and sounds like you are maintaining your tank very well. Your nitrates should Max at 5 to 10. You mentioned in an earlier post having problems with your skimmer. Has that been resolved?? and how much skim mate are you getting per day/week?? Do you have snails, crabs, fish MIA??? What are your readings for Ammonia could be a small cycle from the move??
In the few short dealings I have had with you two I see a strong passion for the hobby. Your Nitrate problem will be resolved Hang in there.
Kevin

[Chin_Lee]

Are you seriously considering packing it in because of a nitrate problem? Although its not desirable, its not lethal to most of our livestock. I believe some LPS or softies may even thrive with some nitrates.