Larrys tank high in nitrites and nitrates!!!

[Garf]

Bo dosing it to detoxify nitrites and nitrates till i get them to a lower level!

Is there any other filtering on the tank apart from the sand and the rock in the pic? It’s a big animal, Little Rock.

 

[brandon429]

Bo dosing it to detoxify nitrites and nitrates till i get them to a lower level!


no, that is opposite of what you should do we covered due to test kit accuracy issues, and non need by lobsters for those params to be tweaked and that overall system temp being matched to the lobster species being the ideal angle. with simple weekly water changes and no forum of reaction to nondigital test kits. this is best for your setup.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Bo dosing it to detoxify nitrites and nitrates till i get them to a lower level!

I would not assume that is a useful activity. There's no known mechanism for how this might work, and even Seachem says it's just based on an observation that some users reported.

But since nitrite and nitrate are low toxicity to begin with, I cannot really see how that can be determined.

 

[N.Sreefer]

Theres a small public aquarium in mount pearl newfoundland that has an atlantic lobster tank. I bet if nitrate was tested it would be off the chart they feed heavy multiple times a day and have only a trickle filter. But lobsters that make their way into salt marshes do just fine in anoxic conditions full of decomposing matter, even in tide pools. Considering the conditions they live in I wouldn't worry about water params other than heavy metals. The lobster pounds use fluidized media beds but nothing else.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I would say the nitrites are causing the nitrate test to look high , any readable nitrites usually messes up the nitrate test and makes it inaccurate. In your case I’m sure the bacteria to break down nitrite is still developing for such a big bioload - Larry. Bio spora and water changes are your friend here. For testing I would get the api saltwater master test kit , it’s gives a bit of understanding of where the tank is at. Keeping calcium high is important for molting

 

[Rmckoy]

So basically im freaking out for nothing??? Lol! I lost a nights sleep worried about my lobster!! Love him more then one should love a lobster lol!

If you worry and want to provide the best care possible .
do yourself a huge favour and invest in quality and accurate test kits .

api is notorious for being inaccurate .
Keep that in mind .
as Larry is in cold water . Even the salinity can test different ,
Be sure to compensate for temp , or purchase a device with temp compensation built in

 

[Natadactyl]

findings based on pics:

-water is clear and not in a state of distress.
-the tank shows enough surface area and dilution, including that HOB filter inlet and its eventual surface area, to match any decent presentation in reefing. you aren't extremely low surface area, for example
-you aren't compounding bioloads + nine big fish, most do. that means your current surface area is worked very little by the lobster and much by its feed, but you're within surface area ratios of all reefs and all reefs can take some feeding errors without loss.
-I only could find three heh

if someone dumps half a feed container by accident thats removable and can be detected without any ammonia kit, its visual. barring any physical errors, common daily feeds and the occasional minor blast is just what we all do. you can cease testing for ammonia and nitrite in this tank as long as it stays wet, even if you add some fish. there's plenty of shock absorber room here-no tipping point is approached.

before paying money for test kits for alk, pH, calcium, mg search out test kit comparison threads for the particular brands you may consider. if those posts show constant stated misreads, or disagreeing test levels off the same water sample per brands in that thread, don't buy those brands or types of kits.


be searching among digital kits for items you want to measure, and if those are cost prohibitive, forego the measure then- dont feel pressured to buy simply one step up kits from where you're at and feel they're accurate.


all you can do anyway for that lobster is provide cleaner than normal waters vs stagnant waters/ weekly preemptive water changes using clean verified safe water is pretty much it, and keep up good feeding. be exportive, willing to change water, vs relying on system to be in cruise control and that is best you can do in my opinion.

the way to manage this layout is simple weekly water changes, never a reaction to testing for waters that weekly water changes will always keep in fine balance here. its about preemptive small work efforts, and not any reaction runs to buy anything or make a new testing angle. if its not antlered in sps corals then you've got a mighty easy setup to run, temp ideals relative to the species of lobster will be the goal.

Omg thank you so much! This is so helpful!!! I only have my lobster in there (no corals) and have been doing weekly water changes and cleaning his big poops at the bottom of the tank! I really think i was just feeding the spoiled guy to much! Lol! He cleans the substrate so i dont have to play with it at all really! He has a chiller running so his temp is def good for a maritime lobster! I just have to be patient and wait for more good bacteria to form!! Will contine to dose with prime so he isnt affected from elevated levels of ammonia, and nitrates! Could take alittle longer in colder tank but he should be fine (if all goes well) in a week or so!!!

 

[Natadactyl]

If you worry and want to provide the best care possible .
do yourself a huge favour and invest in quality and accurate test kits .

api is notorious for being inaccurate .
Keep that in mind .
as Larry is in cold water . Even the salinity can test different ,
Be sure to compensate for temp , or purchase a device with temp compensation built in

Yes i heard api is no good for accuracy!!! If anyhas has suggestions on a good master kit or testers im open to any suggestions!!! Lol

 

[Spare time]

Its a cold water tank! 56 to 57 degrees for my maritime lobster!

Out of curiosity, what bottle bacteria did you use? There are one's made for cold water https://www.brightwellaquatics.com/products/microbacter_cwm_t.php

 

[Natadactyl]

Is there any other filtering on the tank apart from the sand and the rock in the pic? It’s a big animal, Little Rock.

I have a fluval canister filter running for him as well!!! Also soaking more rock and shells to add in for more surface area!!!

 

[Natadactyl]

Out of curiosity, what bottle bacteria did you use? There are one's made for cold water https://www.brightwellaquatics.com/products/microbacter_cwm_t.php

Haha thats the one i just put in!!! To help speed up the good bacteria Growth!!! Were on the same page! Lol! Thanks!

 

[unchaotic]

I have a fluval canister filter running for him as well!!! Also soaking more rock and shells to add in for more surface area!!!

Not to steer you away from R2R but there are some coldwater saltwater groups on Facebook. I joined one out of curiosity a few months back. They certainly post some different stuff ... and being it's specialized you might get more accurate answers to your questions a bit easier.

Disclaimer: I rarely recommend FB groups but "Coldwater Marine Aquarium Owners" seems pretty good.

 

[Natadactyl]

Not to steer you away from R2R but there are some coldwater saltwater groups on Facebook. I joined one out of curiosity a few months back. They certainly post some different stuff ... and being it's specialized you might get more accurate answers to your questions a bit easier.

Disclaimer: I rarely recommend FB groups but "Coldwater Marine Aquarium Owners" seems pretty good.

Ill check it out!!! Thanks! I aint to proud to ask for help when it comes to larry!!! Lol

 

[brandon429]

another way to see this tank: the animal has been alive this whole time because all major params are set. weekly water changes simply preserve the currently working just fine params.

updated cycling science rules absolutely don't give an option where a cycle can be undone, so hop off the testing and fear loop anytime ready. simply feed, change water, keep temps


Rmc that was a very nice very good detail on watching salinity with temps in mind, our swingarms are set for 76

apparently the current salinity is within range, and if you find using a proper glass hydrometer some adjustment is needed to match the species ideal, change it slow. days slow, because right now as it sits nothing is lethal.

 

[Oldreefer44]

IMO, often when one reacts to a situation like yours, a cascading effect is put into motion that ends up causing worse problems than you started with. Agree that weekly water changes should take care of most issues and some more rock surface area would probably help the overall stability. I would be careful with the canister filter as they can quickly cause a buildup of unwanted pollutants. Most importantly, since there is not a lot of info out there on what you are trying to do, behavioral observation of eating habits and activity are probably going to be most important. Please keep us informed as there are not many of you out there.

 

[brandon429]

pointing out the temp differences here to the common reef tank is really impactful for free ammonia as I read the cross charts, and it affects nitrification speed rates I'll bet though I don't have a link for it.

R mentioned crucial salinity adjustment using temp calibrated gear, search glass lab hydrometer on google

I think to use those you take a sample off in a stilled container and test it, or turn off system flow before assessing.

good thing everything in the flow path is ideal in this setup, strong dilution and a very low bioload setup.

its completely ideal for how the system is being used, dont change a thing.

 

[Natadactyl]

another way to see this tank: the animal has been alive this whole time because all major params are set. weekly water changes simply preserve the currently working just fine params.

updated cycling science rules absolutely don't give an option where a cycle can be undone, so hop off the testing and fear loop anytime ready. simply feed, change water, keep temps


Rmc that was a very nice very good detail on watching salinity with temps in mind, our swingarms are set for 76

apparently the current salinity is within range, and if you find using a proper glass hydrometer some adjustment is needed to match the species ideal, change it slow. days slow, because right now as it sits nothing is lethal.

This is good to know! Being new to it i know their will be trial and error but i dont want it to be so bad that it impacts his health and happiness! Not sure how happy he can be but his face says very lol!!! Thanks again for your help and guidance! Im not freaking out anymore....well as much! Hehe look how happy he looks!!!

 

[Natadactyl]

IMO, often when one reacts to a situation like yours, a cascading effect is put into motion that ends up causing worse problems than you started with. Agree that weekly water changes should take care of most issues and some more rock surface area would probably help the overall stability. I would be careful with the canister filter as they can quickly cause a buildup of unwanted pollutants. Most importantly, since there is not a lot of info out there on what you are trying to do, behavioral observation of eating habits and activity are probably going to be most important. Please keep us informed as there are not many of you out there.

Yeah there is next to no one and not alot of info online!! Since i work at a seafood restaurant tried to get water near what his tank was there temperature and salinity wise!!! The tank could use better upkeep and i may take it over in the future at work! For now im focusing on larrys overall well being!!! Glad this problem can be fixed and avoided in the future!!! Lol! My heart cant take the stress of him not being happy!