I posted about 10days to 2 weeks ago about my nitrite. I still am having probs. I have changed out about 50 gal out of my 110 gal and my nitritesd still won't go below .2 and my amm won't go below .25 I went to the LFS couple of days ago and they told me to add TheraP 60 ml every day until it went down. Well, still after several days it won't move. I am also starting to get green all over my LR. It is taking over all the pinks, purples, and it is starting to turn green. Please someone give me other advice other than water changes. It is not working. I tried red sea for my first water change 25 gal. Then I used some other more expensive stuff the second time for 25 gal a week later. And now it's been several days and all that happened is that it went down a bit. It was .5 or a little above and now it has kind of just stopped going down. And when I do so much water change everthing in my tank becomes more unhappy until I get all the water balanced just right. Please five me some advice on the green stuff on LR and nitrites. Thanks, Annette
ok, posted awhile ago still probs!.....
- Thread starter AnnnetteM
- Start date
I had the same problem with it taking forever for the nitrites to go down in my tank when I recently set it up. I asked the same thing, and was told the same thing. The only thing really that I can say is that with regular water changes and some time they WILL go down.
Just some suggestions, somebody else may feel free to add their two cents to them, but this may help you out a bit.
1. Make sure your tank has a lot of current going in it from powerheads, etc. I've read at least 10X turnover of tank volume/hour recommended. Try pointing the water outflow part of your powerheads so they ripple the surface of your water, allowing CO2 to dissipate and keep the surface from getting as much of a nasty film on it.
2. Are you using a protien skimmer? If not, definately invest in one. These things are invaluable.
3. What kind of water are you using? I've read a few debates on using tap or R/O, but the overall consensus and general recommendation is to use R/O water for your tank. Do a search on this forum to find out more about R/O water and how you can get it/make it if you don't already.
4. How long has your tank been set up? It will take you anywhere from a few days to 6 weeks for your ammonia and nitrites to stabilize depending on how "cured" you LR was, how much bacteria you have in your sand, etc. etc. Patience is needed here.
5. Do you have fish already in the tank, and what/how much are you feeding them? Too much feeding (excess waste) and a heavy bioload in a new tank is not going to be good. The bacteria/organisms haven't had time to build up to the levels needed to break down all the waste material and convert the ammonia/nitrites into less harmful substances.
6. If your coralline algae is fading in color, make sure that your calcium level of the water is high enough. You can buy supplements to add more if there isn't enough in the water. Kent makes one such supplement. Also, make sure your tank is getting good lighting/enough lighting from your light setup. And not a lot of natural sunlight from windows, etc. to encourage unwanted algaes.
Hopefully this helps, and others will chime in. Good luck and keep us posted.
Just some suggestions, somebody else may feel free to add their two cents to them, but this may help you out a bit.
1. Make sure your tank has a lot of current going in it from powerheads, etc. I've read at least 10X turnover of tank volume/hour recommended. Try pointing the water outflow part of your powerheads so they ripple the surface of your water, allowing CO2 to dissipate and keep the surface from getting as much of a nasty film on it.
2. Are you using a protien skimmer? If not, definately invest in one. These things are invaluable.
3. What kind of water are you using? I've read a few debates on using tap or R/O, but the overall consensus and general recommendation is to use R/O water for your tank. Do a search on this forum to find out more about R/O water and how you can get it/make it if you don't already.
4. How long has your tank been set up? It will take you anywhere from a few days to 6 weeks for your ammonia and nitrites to stabilize depending on how "cured" you LR was, how much bacteria you have in your sand, etc. etc. Patience is needed here.
5. Do you have fish already in the tank, and what/how much are you feeding them? Too much feeding (excess waste) and a heavy bioload in a new tank is not going to be good. The bacteria/organisms haven't had time to build up to the levels needed to break down all the waste material and convert the ammonia/nitrites into less harmful substances.
6. If your coralline algae is fading in color, make sure that your calcium level of the water is high enough. You can buy supplements to add more if there isn't enough in the water. Kent makes one such supplement. Also, make sure your tank is getting good lighting/enough lighting from your light setup. And not a lot of natural sunlight from windows, etc. to encourage unwanted algaes.
Hopefully this helps, and others will chime in. Good luck and keep us posted.
as40 has some good points and is quite correct. I'll just add a few more questions. 1. What kind or substrate so you have in your tank? 2. what kind of lights do you have and how long do you leave them on? 3 Are you useing tap water to make up your tank water?
thanks
chris
thanks
chris
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... and are your test kits fresh and accurate?
Have a water sample tested by an outside source to double check.
Have a water sample tested by an outside source to double check.
Ok, I was asked the same questions and given the same advice the last time I posted this question almost 2 weeks ago. Well, my tank has been up 8 months and ran fine until about 6 weeks ago maybe less I have to check my logs. My sub is mixed live sand, I used r/o for all water changes and top offs. here are my levels
ph 8.2
cal 450
alk normal range
nitrate 10
nitrite .2
amm below .25 but not 0
I use a protein skimmer, have 2 extra power heads besides my return (plenty of flow if I put in any more my fish will be:sad ), my filter system is a trickle with the bio balls, I change my pre pads on it weekly, I have in a 110 gal tank 4 perculas, 1 unicorn tang 5", a pink square anthias 4", a mandarin, a blue damsel(I know but I can't get him out and he isn't aggressive), 50 turbos, 75 hermits, 2 sandsifting stars, 5-6 horseshoe crabs, 5 peppermint shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp. My lights are Pc's and I leave them on about 8-9 hours a day, but about 6 hours lately since I have been adding TheraP for the green on the rocks and the nitrites. Could there be something in common with these 2 things? I'm so confused. All is being done right.
ph 8.2
cal 450
alk normal range
nitrate 10
nitrite .2
amm below .25 but not 0
I use a protein skimmer, have 2 extra power heads besides my return (plenty of flow if I put in any more my fish will be:sad ), my filter system is a trickle with the bio balls, I change my pre pads on it weekly, I have in a 110 gal tank 4 perculas, 1 unicorn tang 5", a pink square anthias 4", a mandarin, a blue damsel(I know but I can't get him out and he isn't aggressive), 50 turbos, 75 hermits, 2 sandsifting stars, 5-6 horseshoe crabs, 5 peppermint shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp. My lights are Pc's and I leave them on about 8-9 hours a day, but about 6 hours lately since I have been adding TheraP for the green on the rocks and the nitrites. Could there be something in common with these 2 things? I'm so confused. All is being done right.
ok, checked my log book and I realized the tank is only about 6 months since set-up. Don't know if that makes a difference.
The bio balls could be the main cause of your nitrates. I would have your ammonia and nitrites checked at an LFS see if maybe your test kits are bad. You should not have any ammonia or nitrites at this point.
but for the nitrates I use nitrate sponge, I also use constant carbon and also add kent products to replace what the carbon is filtering out. I use phosguard to protect against phosphates. Is there any link with any of these and my nitrites or could it be the green growing on my rocks? My test kit is fine I'm sure. It's not that old and it was giving me fine readings before all this started. I will today go take it to the LFS and get it tested just to be sure, but I don't think that's what it is.
The algae growth should actually reduce nitrates as this is "food" for the algae. Are you running a skimmer?