High Nitrates!!!

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

ahhh okie this is overwhelming what do i need to do

You need to read the information that's already written up for you in the sticky threads on this forum

 

[doubleshot00]

yea api

I learned the hard way to. Get another test kit. Red sea or Salifert. No way tour nitrate is that high with a 2 week old tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

yea api

Nothing wrong with API when used properly. They are just not as precise... They give ranges instead of more exact numbers

 

[AydenLincoln]

If there is no ammonia and some nitrates, the tank is cycled for the current bioload

It’s the end of the cycle but it may not be completely cycled is what I mean! Water changes solve this but in the cycle first comes ammonia, then nitrites, then nitrates and then everything should be stable but high nitrates should be fixed but they didn’t include a number.

 

[TristanBara1273!!]

You need a LOT more rock than that. Like 10x that amount. Good rule of thumb is a minimum of 0.5lb per gallon with 1lb per gallon being ideal.

what do i do?? how do i add more rock should i take out the stuff now and add some live rock?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

what do i do?? how do i add more rock should i take out the stuff now and add some live rock?

Again, what you do is read the guides already posted! No one here wants to spend 30 minutes typing out instructions for you that are readily available.
I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but you're asking repeatedly for advice and we're telling you where to find it.

 

[Sean Clark]

Nitrates do not get to 100 over night. I would not get any fish until testing is more frequent.

 

[Mikedawg]

While I 100% agree that the tank is not ready for fish, what makes you equate high nitrates with an uncycled tank?

I believe nitrates that high will stall a cycle

 

[Billabong]

My Nitrates are really high at the moment and i’m going to get my first fish tomorrow because my tank is fully cycled and i’m wondering if some tap water conditioner will solve the problem

How did you cycle tank? I used Brightwell Ammonium Chloride and Micro Bacter XLM. My ammonia went to 0 in a couple days, but No2 was 5, no3 was 100. It didn't do anything until I did a 25% water change, and add a couple Chromis. At 9 days
Nh3 0, no2 0, no3 5

How are or did you start your cycle?

Best wishes!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I believe nitrates that high will stall a cycle

Cycles get stalled when ammonia can't convert to nitrite and/or nitrite can't convert to nitrate. High nitrates don't do anything to stall the basic nitrogen cycle in a new tank

 

[ZombieEngineer]

ahhh okie this is overwhelming what do i need to do

My recommendation.

1. Get more rock

2. Get some powerheads. Saltwater tanks need more flow than that HOB filter will give you. Search "nano wavemaker" to see options. Costs range from $10 to $200 depending on quality and features.

3. Read up on various topics that are important for a beginner. Cycling, quarantine, common pests, algae control, and basic chemistry (randy holmes farley).

4. Give it a few more weeks while you wait for additional rock to cycle and do some trial runs on how to maintain it and make sure you have everything you need ahead of time. Think about common needs like: emergency and regular water changes, topping of evaporation (tap water not a great idea for saltwater tank. You want RODI), cleaning algae off glass, food options (some fish will only eat frozen to start), etc.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My recommendation.

1. Get more rock

2. Get some powerheads. Saltwater tanks need more flow than that HOB filter will give you. Search "nano wavemaker" to see options. Costs range from $10 to $200 depending on quality and features.

3. Read up on various topics that are important for a beginner. Cycling, quarantine, common pests, algae control, and basic chemistry (randy holmes farley).

4. Give it a few more weeks while you wait for additional rock to cycle and do some trial runs on how to maintain it and make sure you have everything you need ahead of time. Think about common needs like: emergency and regular water changes, topping of evaporation (tap water not a great idea for saltwater tank. You want RODI), cleaning algae off glass, food options (some fish will only eat frozen to start), etc.

All of the above.
I'd add, look for a local reefing club in your area and connect with someone close by who can mentor you.

 

[AydenLincoln]

no, distilled

A few things one you should add a lot more live rock for bacteria purposes and hiding places for fish and get a wave pump. And just my opinion but remove the fake plants. And if you are using distilled at least for top offs you should add the nutrients/minerals back into the water Reef Complete or something similar works. Feel free to message me with more questions.

 

[Clownreef]

We are not trying to badger you. Trying to help you. May i ask how old you are?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

A few things one you should add a lot more live rock for bacteria purposes and hiding places for fish. And if you are using distilled you need to add the nutrients/minerals back into the water Reef Complete or something similar works. Feel free to message me with more questions.

RODI takes more out of the water than distilled... Why would he need to add anything other than the salt mix??

 

[AydenLincoln]

RODI takes more out of the water than distilled... Why would he need to add anything other than the salt mix??

I thought they were using it for top off water in which you should I only saw part of the post.

 

[ZombieEngineer]

what do i do?? how do i add more rock should i take out the stuff now and add some live rock?

Add more, don't remove existing. Dry is cheaper, live will cycle faster.

I go dry personally so I can epoxy it together into a cool shape and structure thats more pleasing to the eye than a pile of rocks. Nothing wrong with a basic pile though as your first tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I thought they were using it for top off water in which you should I only saw part of the post.

No, they still would not need to add anything!

 

[Mikedawg]

Cycles get stalled when ammonia can't convert to nitrite and/or nitrite can't convert to nitrate. High nitrates don't do anything to stall the basic nitrogen cycle in a new tank

Yeah, to be more accurate, I think you would say nitrate levels that high indicate that the cycle is not completed; most reefers would consider readings below 20 as "cycled"

 

[AydenLincoln]

No, they still would not need to add anything!

In my experience topping off with distilled which is seen as too pure and contains no nutrients/minerals drops nutrient levels extremely low and many people recommend it too. Here’s some of many articles on it. So in order to keep my levels balanced especially in a reef tank you add nutrients you take out. https://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/can-you-use-distilled-water-in-a-saltwater-fish-tank/ https://m.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=571