Nitrate!

RSM · #1 06-29-2008, 09:29 PM

Is it typical to get nitrate when adding fish or coral?

Der_Iron_Chef · #2 06-29-2008, 09:57 PM

I haven't experienced that myself. Can you provide a little more info? What type of skimmer are you using? And are there any other types of mechanical filtration like sponges or bio balls, etc?

RSM · #3 06-29-2008, 11:37 PM

Its a Red Sea Max 34g so it has a sponge with floss on top. It has a ceramics bag with carbon on top in the return chamber.Skimmer comes with the tank.

Der_Iron_Chef · #4 06-30-2008, 12:49 AM

How often do you clean the sponge & ceramics? These have been shown to increase nitrates. If it were me, I'd ditch them and just use your skimmer/carbon in those compartments.

RSM · #5 06-30-2008, 01:05 AM

Ceramics I have not touched as it has only been a month. The sponges I clean weekly and the floss every few days. Would it be ok to ditch the ceramics now or later once the tank is stable?

mark · #6 06-30-2008, 01:24 AM

fairly new tank, mini-cycle?

RSM · #7 06-30-2008, 01:34 AM

Yes, I actually just tested Nitrate again and it reads <0.2ppm so everything is ok. Thanks for everyones help.