New tank, bad sand

[codeworker]

Looking for some advice.

This is my 3rd tank and I have been a reefer of nanos for 5 years now.

I am starting a new tank with sump and external skimmer. I had 2 bags of carab sea live sand. The tank and sump holds 30.2 gallons of water after sand and rocks. One of the bags of sand must of had a hole in it, it was quite dry when I setup the tank. After 4 weeks, red sea mature pro kit, 20 gallons of water changes my nitrates are over 250 ppm.

I am using red sea and hanna testers
Parms are as follows
Ammonia: .02
Nitrites. 05
Nitrates 250+ (it turns pink in 5 seconds on the high test with 1ml rodi)
Phosphates. 02
Salinity 35 ppt
Ph 8.02
Tank temp 78-80 still working out fans
Started with rodi water and red sea salt

I am guessing since that there is nothing by a golf ball size chato in the sump, I am thinking of removing all the sand and do a 100% water change and start over. My wiggle butts are safe in a mature 16 nano so I have time to start over.

So I guess I have have a few question:
Replace with new sand and start over,
100% water change and rinse the sand a bunch, or wait using a method or additives

I am 90% sure it is the sand. I remove a 1/4 cup of sand, drained it and added 2 cups of rodin water. Tested after sitting for 24 hours nitrates over 250ppm.

Thinking of replacing the sand and starting again. Looking for any suggestions

 

[sbash]

The simplest thing to do, would be to let the system cycle on its own terms.

However, I do understand the monetary aspect of the situation. I often wondered about these situation with the whole 'live sand' thing; but I digress... I would reach out to the store, see what they can do for you (because they sold you a bunk product). If they can do something that seems reasonable, then play along and swap out the sand.

That said the effort involved (in swapping the sand) seems really high to me. It might be easier to get them to just refund the difference and let the system cycle normally. OR see if they are willing to give you some free bacteria-in-a-bottle to make up for 'lost cycle time'.

Also, after 4 weeks it makes sense the nitrates will be pretty high. You either need to combat this with water changes, macro algae, or carbon dosing... possibly all of the above. The initial cycle literally produces nitrates, so you will need to export those nitrates somehow.

Your initial cycle is almost complete, swapping the sand will not likely have any real benefit. Give it a couple more weeks, then do weekly water changes to get the nitrates down and you will be all set...

 

[OriginalUserName]

Yeah I wouldn't bother with the sand either at this point. If your nitrates are that high most of the dead stuff has already moved through the cycle. Do some water changes and try and get credit for that bad bag.

 

[Jlentz]

If you really want to start over with the sand I’d just siphon it all out and then rinse the heck out of it until it runs clear.

Use saltwater if you want to keep it alive. Use hose water in the backyard if you don’t care.
I’d use tank water and just do a 100% water change if I really wanted to have a go at it.

Ideally you can get a bottle of bacteria from your Lfs for selling you a bunk bag of “live sand”.

 

[codeworker]

Tha is for the advice everyone. The bag was good when I got it. Dropped it a few times before I moved so it was probably me. Also the LFS went out of biz so I got the 2 bag for $10 so not a loss there.

So right now I have been using nopox which is like carbon dosing, and I have a media reactor with sea chem nitrate remover.

 

[codeworker]

Thanks for the quick responses, I wanted to give an update. I haven't seen any drop in Nitrates at all in the last weeks. Running a Nitrate remover, essentially high pours rocks from sea chem. Alk keeps dropping down to a 7 every 3 or 4 days. Any thoughts? New water is mixed and parameters are good before it goes into the tank.

 

[CindyKz]

If the tank is still cycling I wouldn't worry about the alk too much. Tune it up before you add livestock.

 

[codeworker]

Thanks for all the input, I have done 2, 8 gallon water changes. I am now at 15 PPm with Nitrates. YAY! I am still going to wait it out a little longer. I want to see under 10 before I add fish. My clown fish are 7 years old and I don't want to loose them.