Need some advise

[aquaman67]

I would find a better way to test.

Does a LFS test water?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So the bacteria has went nuts because of my crazy nitrates

or food detritus or ammonia. dont be afraid to clean a sand bed IMO.
as I understand it from Randy F and Ron Shimek larger grain sand is not as good as finer grain because there id more surface area in finer grain sand thus less space for good bacteria to work.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would find a better way to test.

Does a LFS test water?

yes

 

[Aquarius]

or food detritus or ammonia. dont be afraid to clean a sand bed IMO.
as I understand it from Randy F and Ron Shimek larger grain sand is not as good as finer grain because there id more surface area in finer grain sand thus less space for good bacteria to work.

My sand has crushed coral and some large granules, are you suggesting I should use finer sand?

 

[Aquarius]

yes

My lfs just uses strips any way, any suggestions for better testing?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Api is pretty good Red Sea is good.
Check out Amazon for some test kit ideas
There may also be a sticky here on r2r about water tests.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My sand has crushed coral and some large granules, are you suggesting I should use finer sand?

There is some difference of opinion on sand. Hopefully the others will chime in on that.
It's very common to get food buildup in a sand bed. I prefer finer sand based on my experience and research. I also believe a shallow bed should be clean by Vacuume at water change.

 

[aaron23]

I would suggest doing a water change can't harm anything by it and see what happens when it settles

 

[bobman]

Water changes never hurt however they don't really do much in terms of removing a bacterial bloom. Skim Skim and Skim some more and a uv will certainly help but not sure I would invest in one just for this as most bacterial blooms only last a few days. Just keep oxygen levels up by skimming and it should go away and what ever you used by red sea you might want to consider lowering the dose as it was your likely cause

 

[Aquarius]

Thanks everyone. The bacteria has subsided. Ten gallons of skim, nitrates are lowered but I still need to be diligent in that area. Doing a water change today. No losses.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Excellent news!