New tank, nutrients undetectable

[Hely'sreef1]

So my tank finished cycling about 8 weeks ago (80 gallon with around 30 kg cured live rock) and I eventually transferred the rest of my livestock from my 30 gallon 1 year old reef tank last weekend. I added my 2 clowns for a couple of weeks then my yellow tang, 3rd clown, bangaii and corals. Today my nitrates, nitrite and ammonia are undetectable, ph is 8.4. I have been adding nopox daily and also popped in some of my old live rock into my sump. My question is how come my nitrates are zero? I would have expected a rise by now.... I've always done a 10% weekly water change in my previous tank - should I hold off my water change this weekend?

 

[Jason mack]

So my tank finished cycling about 8 weeks ago (80 gallon with around 30 kg cured live rock) and I eventually transferred the rest of my livestock from my 30 gallon 1 year old reef tank last weekend. I added my 2 clowns for a couple of weeks then my yellow tang, 3rd clown, bangaii and corals. Today my nitrates, nitrite and ammonia are undetectable, ph is 8.4. I have been adding nopox daily and also popped in some of my old live rock into my sump. My question is how come my nitrates are zero? I would have expected a rise by now.... I've always done a 10% weekly water change in my previous tank - should I hold off my water change this weekend?

I think you might have over done iT on the nopox .. what were Your previous test results , you Saïd Your tank finished its cycle 8 weeks ago .. are you running a skimmer .. was Your nitrate and po4 so high you needed too dose Nopox ..

 

[Hely'sreef1]

Running a skimmer and have always used nopox according to LFS recommendations. Had consistently high nitrate in my old tank...

 

[mcarroll]

I have been adding nopox daily and also popped in some of my old live rock into my sump. My question is how come my nitrates are zero?

That's what carbon dosing (i.e. nopox) does – reduces the heck out of nitrates.

No need in a new tank – in fact it's sorta dangerous.

I'd stop nopox immediately, add some more of your old rock, and hope things don't take any turns for the worse.

 

[Hely'sreef1]

Ok thanks!

 

[mcarroll]

Use nopox as needed....if that's not what the directions say, then they are wrong. Carbon dosing is not "good for the tank" per se....it's a tool with a purpose.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Use nopox as needed....if that's not what the directions say, then they are wrong. Carbon dosing is not "good for the tank" per se....it's a tool with a purpose.

I'm pretty sure there's a chart on the back of my bottle that gives a dose for the amount of NO3 in the tank. Dosing too much with no nutrients can lead to some nasty cyano, I've done it.

 

[Jason mack]

Its always a good idea too cross check information Your lfs gives you on here , especially when it involves dosing or adding anything too your tank .. it never hurts too ask .. but not asking and getting wrong information can and will hurt your tank !! Just my opinion !

 

[mcarroll]

I'm pretty sure there's a chart on the back of my bottle that gives a dose for the amount of NO3 in the tank. Dosing too much with no nutrients can lead to some nasty cyano, I've done it.

I'm glad it didn't lead to worse!

@Hely'sreef1 just lay off the carbon dosing until the tank's fully mature. At that point you might not even need it.

 

[Hely'sreef1]

Thanks guys I'll stop the nopox and keep an eye on my parameters