I posted the other day about being put in charge of my college's small saltwater tank. I since did some water tests on it and took some pictures. The only thing that looked pretty bad was the nitrate levels, which appeared to be 200+ ppm. From what I have read, water changes are the best way to control nitrate levels in a small tank. The previous caretaker of this tank told me that even small water changes usually upset the balance so much that something dies. Where should I start with this tank? Thank you for your help!
High nitrate levels
- Thread starter enw1229
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twilliard
Tank pests..
From the filtration I see water changes are the only way to bring it down.
At that high of a level I would do it slowly over time.
No 50% changes in other words
Also if the other person stated that things die on small changes tells me the balance of the nsw was way off from the tank water
At that high of a level I would do it slowly over time.
No 50% changes in other words
Also if the other person stated that things die on small changes tells me the balance of the nsw was way off from the tank water
twilliard
Tank pests..
Not so sure since I don't know what filter is on it.
Clean it up the best you can while changing water.
Do you have a salt mix for it?
I would do 4 to 5 gallon changes on it.
The no3 will come down but will take time.
Without a refugium with diverse macro algae that is the best I can think of.
Clean it up the best you can while changing water.
Do you have a salt mix for it?
I would do 4 to 5 gallon changes on it.
The no3 will come down but will take time.
Without a refugium with diverse macro algae that is the best I can think of.
There is salt mix and quite a few other supplies. I have also been authorized to buy whatever I need as long as it isn't too pricey. I'm just trying to figure out where to start with it. I don't want to kill the few things left in it and the biology department really wants it to be an nice tank. And dmorty, the tank is in awful shape but thanks, that's me lol
Is the starfish the only living thing in the tank? If so I would do 95% water change, rinse the gravel out with the old water and clean the filter well. Can you get a picture of what is inside the filter? I will buy a powerhead or another hang on back filter.
Where is the school?
Where is the school?
twilliard
Tank pests..
95% change may kill all that is left
There is (I think) three starfish and two snails. Honestly, it's so gross I can't really tell what's alive in there. And I can get a picture of the filter and post it either this evening or tomorrow... the school is located in rural northwest Iowa.
Which looks like 1 chocolate chip starfish lol. There may be more stuff though.
How about her friend? Does she get the dmorty approval?
twilliard
Tank pests..
Oh dang it you got me!!
twilliard
Tank pests..
I am not here to kill just to help.
And your friend well I will leave that up to others, I don't like stepping over lines
I am not here to kill just to help.
And your friend well I will leave that up to others, I don't like stepping over lines
beaslbob
2500 Club Member
IMHO the best thing to do to get the tank fish ready is to get rid of the star fish. they can and will attack and eat sleeping fish.
But other than that I would add macro algae like chaetomorphia to condition, balance out and stabilize the tank. And use some kind of partition to separate the (future) fish from the macros.
I think you will find thriving macro algaes will bring everything in like in a very short time and the tank will be very forgiving of my type of errors. And hopefully you types as well.
I would also do no water changes and adjust lights so the macros thrive but not the ugly algae.
my .02
