1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Nitrates

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Ben, Jan 9, 2011.

  1. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    So I just transfered a 45 gallon reef into my 60 gallon from across town.  After stirring up pretty much everything it seems that there is a light spike in nitrates while everything else is pretty well balanced.  I have added some new water (since my tank is larger) but it appears the nitrates are verging on being unsafe.  What should I use to filter out the nitrates or should I just continue to do a water change?  I don't know if I really should go ahead and keep adding new water or if I should use a nitrate remover.  I know when I was really big into there was a filter media I used but I can't really remember what it was.  Thanks for any help!
     
  2. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    If you keep doing frequent small water changes I don't think it would hurt anything. A small cycle is to be expected when transferring LR like that.
     
  3. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    While I'm at it, what sort of things do folks out there recommend feeing the corals? I didn't know if the phytoplankton is really worth the purchase or not?
     
  4. iaJim

    iaJim Inactive User

    775
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I feed Oyster Feast. My corals are really showing growth with it.
     
  5. adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    Did you stir up your sand when you moved? That can be a very bad thing to do if you don't rinse it really good before adding it back...
     
  6. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Unfortunately there wasn't a way to move without stirring the sand up.
     
  7. Troy

    Troy Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I would do one larger water change and then every couple of days do smaller water changes intil nitrates have gone back down to zero.
     
  8. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You can also start a bio pellet reactor which can help to mitigate nitrates as well...

    --AJ
     
  9. glaspie69

    glaspie69 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +41 / 2 / -0
    doesn't it take like 4-8 weeks for the pellets to start holding enough bacteria to do any good?
     
  10. Ray

    Ray

    243
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Now I read this! (I was just at your store Saturday, I could have asked you then) I recently moved a 72 gallon to my 75 gallon, without rinsing the sand and now I am fighting High nitrates.  I kept as much water as I could and kept all the live rock submerged during the move.  I kept most of the sand as a deep sand bed in my sump (40 gallon breeder) while adding some to my main tank.  I have been doing water changes 15 gallons every 2-3 days.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Ray
     
  11. adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    I would recommend tons of water changes, but not quite 15 gallons every 2-3 days. That's a LOT of new water! If you take out too much of the bacteria in water changes, you're going to get into other problems than just hair algae. Eliminate as much of the hair algae as possible. If you leave it in there, it just "fuels" itself. Even if you remove the nutrients it requires to grow, it will die off and it's byproducts from die off will fuel more hair algae. Fun, isn't it!
    Also, I'd just like to add, it's not my store, I just work there. Anemones, Clowns & Corals is owned by Craig Johnston(xroads).
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.