Just about had it now!!!

Reefer Rob · #1 07-12-2007, 04:04 PM

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 · #2 07-12-2007, 04:11 PM

How many lbs of rock do you have?

Are you using RO/DI or tap water?

Scavenger · #3 07-12-2007, 04:13 PM

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 · #4 07-12-2007, 06:37 PM

What kind of test kit are you using?

findingnemo1 · #5 07-12-2007, 06:50 PM

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 · #6 07-12-2007, 07:03 PM

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

Zylumn · #7 07-12-2007, 07:05 PM

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 · #8 07-12-2007, 07:10 PM

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.

fkshiu · #9 07-12-2007, 07:41 PM

My guess is also crud stuck in the LR and/or sand. Either that or it's your source water if you're not using RO/DI.

And Chin is correct - focusing on softies/LPS won't be the end of the world.

Delphinus · #10 07-12-2007, 07:50 PM

Honestly, I can see where he is coming from. I have a tank that has a persistent, inexplicable nitrate problem, and it is frustrating. I even run a sulfur reactor on this tank and due to problem after problem with the reactor it has yet to put a dent in the nitrates. Water changes can only go so far, short of doing a 100% water change you only put a dent into the levels and even then when they bounce right back up within a week, you're left scratching your head. I am pretty close to tearing the tank down because of this problem. So I understand perfectly where his frustration is coming from. 60ppm NO3 is up there.

I've got one more question - well two actually. Do you have sand in this tank, and would you consider switching to barebottom? Because I'm starting to wonder that part of my problem on my tank is the fact that I have sand. 110g tank, 60lbs of aragonite sand in the main display, plus a remote DSB with another 60lbs of aragonite. In fact ... I'm not sure but I think I really started with the nitrate problem after the RDSB got moved over from a different tank (that also had nitrate problems - but then that tank also had my ritteri in it, which is another thing the two tanks have in common). The RDSB never did a thing to reduce nitrates and now I wonder if that's actually part of my current problem. Calfo whoo ding ding you rock!