Cycling...nitrate spike?

[fyrfytr]

So after losing my tank to my own stupidity (amonia spike seems to be the common belief) I left the inverts in there and cycled again using time and fish food. Been testing about every other day, although with sickness running rampit through my house I havent tested for like a week. Using my API saltwater master kit, last time I tested pH was at about 8.2...ammonia was less then .25 but more then 0...nitrite was squarely at 0...and nitrate was less then 5 but more then 0. Tested this afternoon, pH was the same...ammonia was almost 0...nitrite was still at 0....but nitrate was up to almost 10ppm.

Did I mess something up again?

 

[Otter_rs]

Do you have bio media anywhere or dirty filter socks?


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[grumpy-crab]

Nope seems your tank is toward the end of its cycling. Once ammonia and nitrite are zero you have finished the cycling process. High nitrate levels are a sign that it has been cycling. So once your ammonia and nitrite are zero you need to do a massive water change. I would say atleast 80% water change to remove most the nitrate and then you can slowly start to add your fish. Give it a few weeks in between adding fish to allow the bacteria levels to increase or you could go through a cycle again. Just remember with each fish you add your system will go through a mini cycle. Thats why its important to test levels before adding more fish. Also after you do your massive water change you should to a 10% weekly or 20% biweekly water changes to keep the nitrate levels in check. A little nitrate is ok in our system so dont worry about getting it down to zero. Soft corals and clams actually need nitrates as a source of food if your have any questions feel free to ask. Its better to ask and be right then not ask and have problems

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[fyrfytr]

The local Wal-Mart sells RO water for 37 cents a gallon. 36 gal tank means that my weekly 10% water change is 4 gal, not hardly worth an RO/DI setup in my house. They also sell gallon "drinking" water thst is RO, ozinated in a gallon jug for 88 cents. I can use that right? Then re-use the gallon jug for th RO water the next time?

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[fyrfytr]

No bio media or filter socks. ..havent even gotten around to making a sump/fuge yet. Have a 10gal laying around, but I want a 20gal tall

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[ReeferBob]

The local Wal-Mart sells RO water for 37 cents a gallon. 36 gal tank means that my weekly 10% water change is 4 gal, not hardly worth an RO/DI setup in my house. They also sell gallon "drinking" water thst is RO, ozinated in a gallon jug for 88 cents. I can use that right? Then re-use the gallon jug for th RO water the next time?

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This is not the same as RO/DI. The DI is missing. DI is a critical part of the water process. You can get a basic RO/DI setup for under $150.

 

[fyrfytr]

I am very aware that there is a difference between RO and RO/DI...however I see the RO/DI setup as a waste of money that is not truly and completly necessary. Assuming I do 5 gal water changes once a week, if I went with the 88 cent RO ozinated water and kept the gallon jugs that it came in I will have an expence of $4.40. The next week I get 5 gal of RO water in those jugs and my expense is $1.85. If I do that for the rest of the weeks the first month I have a water expense of $6.95. The rest of the months from there out will be $7.40. It will take me over a year to just brake even on the cost of the setup, that is not including the costs of the filters and the membranes or the waste water. I think somwhere I was reading that for evey 5 gal of water in the RO/DI system gets 1 gal, the other 4 are wasted. Sure, you can buy a storage tub...but that is another expense.

I know that marine aquariums are not cheap...however if you can save a little here and there that is more you can put into the tank for the things that truly matter....fish, corals, ect.

 

[grumpy-crab]

Look online for a cheap used ro/di unit and replace the filters with new ones. Its about the easyest way to save money.

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[fyrfytr]

eBay one for what....$50. Put $25 worth of filters and membranes in it.....so instead of being out $150 and it taking over a year I am out $75 and it takes just under a year. Still havent taken into account the waste water yet either

 

[ReeferBob]

I think you are looking at a false sense of economy. IMO, RO/DI is a necessary piece of equipment. I value my time and don't want to spend it hauling water. Oh wait I just saw you have a 20 gallon tank - for that it really doesn't matter I guess...

 

[fyrfytr]

Ya...its a 36gal bowfront tank. Wal-mart is about 5 min away....putting 5 one gallon jugs in a cart isnt that labor intensive. The RO/DI system seems more of a headache for such a little water volume. Now if I had a 55gal or bigger then I would already have the RO/DI unit installed in the laundry room

 

[grumpy-crab]

Dont forget water top offs. Depending on surface, flow, and temp.

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[Rikerbear]

I currently have a 16 gal nano, and I am using ro/di water from the grocery store.... ($.88)
I am working on a 29 gal fowlr (hope to get started on its cycle by March 1st)
Gonna get me one of the small portable units from Marine Depot. At a cost of around $125
With only needing 10 gal a week for both tanks, I should only have to replace the filter membranes once every 18 months. My unit should pay for it's self with in the the first year.

 

[fyrfytr]

Cheapest RO/DI that I can find on marine depot is $149.99...neither here nor there.

Question is, can you use the RO ozinated water in the tanks? Its gotta be better then tap