Nanoreefnewbie 2012 nano contest entry

[nanoreefnewbie]

Originally Posted by Enigma

This this may sound patronizing, but it isn't meant to be. We all have moments when we want to quit . . . when it doesn't seem worth the effort . . . and when we'd like to flush everything and smash the tank . . . you get the idea.

The cyano in my main display system makes me want to smash it with a sledgehammer. Badly.

But, I know it will pass. What you're going through will pass as well. We will get it figured out. Don't worry. You have an amazing resource at your fingertips, here.

I'm going to re-read your thread to see if anything jumps out at me.

Thank you shelly I'm gunna stick with it I had a longggg shower a few times hortans coffees thought...thought some more.... A few of my kinda smokes and ive calmed down...goods froba lol...we will figure it out....i think it's the rock curing..

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by nanoreefnewbie

Thank you shelly I'm gunna stick with it I had a longggg shower a few times hortans coffees thought...thought some more.... A few of my kinda smokes and ive calmed down...goods froba lol...we will figure it out....i think it's the rock curing..

My suggestion of "do a water change on yourself" worked heh

[nanoreefnewbie]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Nanoreefnewbie, what nitrate test are you using. Also, can you post the rest of your parameters and what tests you're using for them? Honestly, I don't trust your test at this point.

If you did a 50% change, that would have brought your nitrates down to 20ppm. A 25% change the next day would have brought them down to 15ppm. 25% the next day would bring them down to 11.25ppm, then 8.43ppm, then 6.32ppm . . . on day six 4.74ppm. Of course, nitrate would be building at the same time, so it would probably take a week or more to get the nitrates below 5ppm. Only the first water change would have a huge effect on the levels, and the effect becomes less and less with each water change.

Have you recorded your daily nitrate levels? If so, can you share them?

I'm using the api saltwater mater marine test kit...i tested every second day and nitrates didn't lower a tad...maybe 20 ppm then shoot right back up in a few days...

[nanoreefnewbie]

Originally Posted by coolhandgoose

I just read through the whole thread and have a couple questions.

1. Are you using RO/DI water?

2. On page one you said you were using 1lb of live rock and 39 of dead rock. Did you actually do this? If you did then there's no way that your tank would be biologically stable enough yet for any inhabitants. You should've had at the very least half of the rock live rock, especially if its a nano.

This can explain why your nitrates were high and stayed high.

Yea using all ro water from start...

Andyes starters tank like this did research has and was told I can do this tank was covered with hair algea and was told safe too add clean up crew

[nanoreefnewbie]

Originally Posted by coolhandgoose

What silicone did you use for your sump?

Nothing 100% sure on brand but said water proof it wasn't....and it was a new addition added last nite too off tonight too rebuild with different silaconed I guess

[intarsiabox]

Test your fresh ro/di water with your test kit. The results should read zero. If you are getting any sort of reading then I would say the test kit is faulty. 2lbs of live rock over this amount of time and the number of water changes you have done shouldn't still be adding to your nitrate problem. What was your dry rock source?

[nanoreefnewbie]

Originally Posted by reefwars

the other thing right now i would be asking myself is if any of my critters are being harmed or in harm right now??

if not then your on the good side of the battle , now time is on your side to start attacking the little things.


post your exact routine including

water parameters(amonia,nitrates,phosphates,salinity,tem p)

pos your equipment and ligts as well.

post what you have in your tank...literally everything that youve added or died.

sand?

this sump you speak of , whats in it and how are you running it??



nitrates are honestly an easy thing to get rid of , just takes some elbow grease and patience

I'm jus gunna grab one last coffee and then ill do a full line of test for all you I didn't do a water change either today.

Also should I be running a bio wheel on my filter on the back?

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by nanoreefnewbie

Nothing 100% sure on brand but said water proof it wasn't....and it was a new addition added last nite too off tonight too rebuild with different silaconed I guess

Don't use GE Silicone I or II, they may say 100% silicone but also have mildew inhibators that can kill your tank mates. There are silicones made specifically for aquariums, some much cheaper than others, but I can't recall the name right now. I know Grizz uses it, maybe he'll refresh my memory.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by nanoreefnewbie

Also should I be running a bio wheel on my filter on the back?

No

[coolhandgoose]

You definitely can't use just any old silicone, that will definitely cause problems!
I use SCS1200 made by GE. You can find it at contractors store, not Home Depot.