Hi Reef2Reef

Pano · Sep 10, 2015

Hi my name is Pano and I am having some troubles with my reef set up namely nitrates
Have a 400 litre tank and refuge and a protein skimmer at the cheaper end of the market but it still looks as if it is doing its job properly by the amount of black waste
Any ideas to address would be appreciated
Thanks

Hausser · Sep 10, 2015

Are you using tap water or RODI water? How often are you feeding your fish or corals. What are you feeding the tank. How often do you do water changes? I do bi weekly water changes and I feed my fish frozen food. I rinse my food in RODI water prior to feeding my fish.

Pano · Sep 10, 2015

Thanks Hausser I'm using tap water is RODI the key from your experience
If so could you recommend a good brand
Thanks

Hausser · Sep 10, 2015

All my water is run through RODI unit, I bought from bulk reef supply

Pano · Sep 10, 2015

Thanks again would tap water also cause my corals to struggle from your experience

Hausser · Sep 10, 2015

The high phosphates and nitrates will. Do you test for calcium, magnesium and ALK in your tank? If you don't I would.

Pano · Sep 10, 2015

Calcium is on the high side about 600 ppm alkanity is within guidelines and dose but don't test for magnesium

Hausser · Sep 10, 2015

I would change to RODI water and do a large water change.

Hausser · Sep 10, 2015

How old is tank, do you have a lot of alge in your system.

Pano · Sep 10, 2015

Tank about 15 months old I had a 2 foot and migrated to a 4 foot and using the 2 foot as a refuge
At times I have red algae but not too bad
If I go to RODI do I do it gradually?

Hausser · Sep 10, 2015

RODI is just filtered water and I would use it for auto top off and for making saltwater and normal water changes. Have you tested your tap water for nitrates and phosphates. I have never used tap water in my tank and never tested regular tap water and don't know if it would cause nitrates. I recently had high nitrates in my tank but I had a few fish die off along with turbo snails. I did a water change and started running carbon in my tank and I now have low nitrates. Most of the nitrate issues have are from over feeding or dead stuff in tank. I redid my rock work to allow for better flow throuout my tank and that helped.

Pano · Sep 10, 2015

Thanks will test the tap water when I get home
I have to say I suspect may also be over feeding!

KJ · Sep 10, 2015

Welcome to R2R.

steelheader.262 · Sep 10, 2015

Welcome!!!

Titanwerx · Sep 10, 2015

Your tap water may be different but mine is treated with chloramines from the city, which is fine for people but harmful to fish hence the need for an RODI unit to strip the water of those and other impurities that can cause trouble down the line. I would suggest reading up on your cities water supply if you are using tap, otherwise invest in an RODI unit to be safe. Oh and WELCOME! [emoji16]