Need some advice

[cboylan1606]

Ok so I put my tank on the back burner for about the last 8 months. I started my own business (yay dumb me) which has taken a lot of my time daily. No need for excuses tho. I have also made a short move and moved the tank and it’s inhabitants. Now the plus side I have managed to keep my fish swimming. Only lost one and I was actually out of town and the person feeding the fish didn’t pay attention so no clue what happened.
With all that being said 2 weeks ago I tested the tank and my nitrate is so high I can’t get a accurate reading. I have a 75gallon display with a 30gallon sump. I changed 20gallons last week checked nitrate again today and it’s still reading over 100 changed another 20 gallons today. I want to get the tank back on track so I know I gotta keep on water changes

the other issue is I’ve never had success with coral I have no clue why but the only coral that has lasted in my tank since I’ve started it has been so Zoas and they look terrible right now but are still alive surprisingly so what would you all suggest I do to start being successful

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok so I put my tank on the back burner for about the last 8 months. I started my own business (yay dumb me) which has taken a lot of my time daily. No need for excuses tho. I have also made a short move and moved the tank and it’s inhabitants. Now the plus side I have managed to keep my fish swimming. Only lost one and I was actually out of town and the person feeding the fish didn’t pay attention so no clue what happened.
With all that being said 2 weeks ago I tested the tank and my nitrate is so high I can’t get a accurate reading. I have a 75gallon display with a 30gallon sump. I changed 20gallons last week checked nitrate again today and it’s still reading over 100 changed another 20 gallons today. I want to get the tank back on track so I know I gotta keep on water changes

the other issue is I’ve never had success with coral I have no clue why but the only coral that has lasted in my tank since I’ve started it has been so Zoas and they look terrible right now but are still alive surprisingly so what would you all suggest I do to start being successful

What test kits are you using?
With livestock doing well, you may have false readings. A series of water changes are the effective way to reduce nitrates as well as reduction in food fed but assure your readings are accurate.
If you are feeding coral reef roids, that will elevate nirates and phosphates.

 

[Lavey29]

Coral isn't going to survive in attack that is not maintained. If you are changing 20 gallons it will take 4 water changes to get your nitrates down to a reasonable level. But check all your parameters as you begin to get back into the hobby diligently.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I was going to ask what are other parameters pls?

 

[cboylan1606]

What test kits are you using?
With livestock doing well, you may have false readings. A series of water changes are the effective way to reduce nitrates as well as reduction in food fed but assure your readings are accurate.
If you are feeding coral reef roids, that will elevate nirates and phosphates.

So I first checked with Red Sea but ordered the Hanna HR because all other parameters I test with Hanna. The HR would just flash 75 tonight which means it’s high as hell.
I only feed frozen lrs only once a day and only enough for my fish.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Ok so I put my tank on the back burner for about the last 8 months. I started my own business (yay dumb me) which has taken a lot of my time daily. No need for excuses tho. I have also made a short move and moved the tank and it’s inhabitants. Now the plus side I have managed to keep my fish swimming. Only lost one and I was actually out of town and the person feeding the fish didn’t pay attention so no clue what happened.
With all that being said 2 weeks ago I tested the tank and my nitrate is so high I can’t get a accurate reading. I have a 75gallon display with a 30gallon sump. I changed 20gallons last week checked nitrate again today and it’s still reading over 100 changed another 20 gallons today. I want to get the tank back on track so I know I gotta keep on water changes

the other issue is I’ve never had success with coral I have no clue why but the only coral that has lasted in my tank since I’ve started it has been so Zoas and they look terrible right now but are still alive surprisingly so what would you all suggest I do to start being successful

Happens to everyone sooner or later.

Nitrate over 100 is not going to kill a fish, and probably the coral have acclimated.

Don't change things too fast as that will shock both the fish and coral.

Use dilution to get an idea of where your nitrate is.
if your test needs a 10ml sample, use 1ml tank water and 9 ml new saltwater and run the test. multiply the result by 10 So youmknow where you are.

If it is really over 100 you need to bring it down over weeks not days.

In the meantime, clean the skimmer and change the filter socks so you dont add back what you are removing.

Check phosphate and you can use the same dilution trick if the result is off the scale.

Good idea to check Calcium too.

I understand the problem with running your own business and trying to keep a reef tank, things tend to run away due to conflicting demands,

Concentrate on getting the tank stable, and chemistry within normal ranges. Worry about making the tank beautiful later when you have more time, Look after the fish, they are pets. You can always run a FOWLR tank. They can look great.

 

[cboylan1606]

I was going to ask what are other parameters pls?

I haven’t checked any other parameters yet because I want to get my nitrates back in check first.

last week was honestly the first water change I’ve done since February when I broke the tank down and moved.

 

[cboylan1606]

Happens to everyone sooner or later.

Nitrate over 100 is not going to kill a fish, and probably the coral have acclimated.

Don't change things too fast as that will shock both the fish and coral.

Use dilution to get an idea of where your nitrate is.
if your test needs a 10ml sample, use 1ml tank water and 9 ml new saltwater and run the test. multiply the result by 10 So youmknow where you are.

If it is really over 100 you need to bring it down over weeks not days.

In the meantime, clean the skimmer and change the filter socks so you dont add back what you are removing.

Check phosphate and you can use the same dilution trick if the result is off the scale.

Good idea to check Calcium too.

I understand the problem with running your own business and trying to keep a reef tank, things tend to run away due to conflicting demands,

Concentrate on getting the tank stable, and chemistry within normal ranges. Worry about making the tank beautiful later when you have more time, Look after the fish, they are pets. You can always run a FOWLR tank. They can look great.

That is my main concern right now is just getting everything back within range. The only thing I have kept up on lately is changing socks and cleaning skimmer. I figured if I stick to doing 20gal water change once a week I can get back in range slowly then I will work on maintaining the range

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I haven’t checked any other parameters yet because I want to get my nitrates back in check first.

last week was honestly the first water change I’ve done since February when I broke the tank down and moved.

I would recommend testing your other parameters as well - especially as youre doing large(r) water changes.

 

[cboylan1606]

So tomorrow night I will test and record everything and post with all reading
I will also dilute the nitrate(didn’t know how before) and get a little more accurate reading on that

 

[gbroadbridge]

That is my main concern right now is just getting everything back within range. The only thing I have kept up on lately is changing socks and cleaning skimmer. I figured if I stick to doing 20gal water change once a week I can get back in range slowly then I will work on maintaining the range

20 gals a week will get you back to normal in a couple of months.

I wouldn't go faster than that.

You can look at carbon dosing to keep things under control after that.

You can just dose vinegar and that will stop nitrate ever going out of control again. Or you can use other organic carbons. I use AF NP pro as it just works for me and is only a tiny dose each day - about 3 drops.

Don't stress, it's a hobby