Newbie concern

jpontier212 · Mar 30, 2016

I just recently posted about high nitrates. I did a 50% water change and my nitrates went from 80ppm to 40ppm. The water change was done on Monday. I tested it today and it had crept up to 60 ppm. No livestock in the aquarium but 5 Mexican turbos and 5 blue legged hermit crabs. I have copepods in my refugium and red and green gracileria in the refugium as well as 6lbs of live rock, Which is turning a beautiful fuscia purple color. Should i be concerned or just continue water changes for another week?

Slickrick · Mar 30, 2016

Sounds like your still cycling. No concern, stay on the water changes.

p.pep85 · Mar 30, 2016

Slickrick said:
Sounds like your still cycling. No concern, stay on the water changes.

+1

saltyphish · Mar 30, 2016

Water changes and patience. If you reading zero ammonia and zero nitrites your cycle is done. The only way to reduce nitrates is by water changes, a fuge, or a couple other means but water changes are the quickest.. I wouild keep doing large water changes 50% or more every couple of days until your nitrates are reading low.

McMullen · Mar 30, 2016

+1 to all above posts.
You may have already done this, but if not look up ammonia-nitrite-nitrate cycle. It may give you more insight to what's going on.

You may have noticed frequent post focusing on "nitrates." It can be a confusing topic but in your case the number isn't that important. It would be helpful to know what your ammonia and nitrite levels are. If possible, please post those.

Wiz · Mar 30, 2016

Yup, patients my friend. All will be good soon.

TheEngineer · Mar 30, 2016

saltyphish said:
Water changes and patience. If you reading zero ammonia and zero nitrites your cycle is done. The only way to reduce nitrates is by water changes, a fuge, or a couple other means but water changes are the quickest.. I wouild keep doing large water changes 50% or more every couple of days until your nitrates are reading low.

Don't forget denitrifying bacteria. They convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. The nitrogen cycle is a closed loop

jpontier212 · Mar 30, 2016

McMullen said:
+1 to all above posts.
You may have already done this, but if not look up ammonia-nitrite-nitrate cycle. It may give you more insight to what's going on.

You may have noticed frequent post focusing on "nitrates." It can be a confusing topic but in your case the number isn't that important. It would be helpful to know what your ammonia and nitrite levels are. If possible, please post those.

Parameters as of 3/30
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrate 50 ppm
Salinity 1.027
Temp 78.8°F
Ph 7.9
Haven't tested Cal,Mg, or Kh. Waiting on my test kit in the mail. I don't think those will be important until i get my nitrates under control

McMullen · Mar 30, 2016

Looks like your nearing the end of the cycle. Your tank is processing your ammonia. Is there algae in your display for your critters to eat?

jpontier212 · Mar 31, 2016

McMullen said:
Looks like your nearing the end of the cycle. Your tank is processing your ammonia. Is there algae in your display for your critters to eat?

Yep

Lonny · Mar 31, 2016

It's so hard to be patient with these things. I'm getting anxious and it's not even my tank lol!

TD13 · Mar 31, 2016

All good advice, however. The golden rule of reef keeping is...

The only things that happen fast in this hobby are bad things. Everything else takes time and patience.

tankreefer · Mar 31, 2016

Still cycling, water changes and patients

Lonny · Mar 31, 2016

tankreefer said:
Still cycling, water changes and patients

Are you still treating the new water?

jpontier212 · Apr 1, 2016

Lonny said:
Are you still treating the new water?

I was but i stopped adding Aquaforest Bio s and vodka. I'm trying to see what the tank will do with no help. But i have been adding 2 tsp baking soda diluted for my ph. It's always low. Like at around 7.6 if i don't add baking soda.

bairdimusprime · Apr 1, 2016

Slickrick said:
Sounds like your still cycling. No concern, stay on the water changes.

Agreed

Lonny · Apr 1, 2016

Your ph is just c02 in the water. The o2 in the water and less c02 the higher the ph. Opening a window in the house or apartment can affect ph. How's the nitrates doing? And don't worry about chasing numbers, your gonna be awesome at this but now is the time just to let things happen. Don't get discouraged.

jpontier212 · Apr 2, 2016

Lonny said:
Your ph is just c02 in the water. The o2 in the water and less c02 the higher the ph. Opening a window in the house or apartment can affect ph. How's the nitrates doing? And don't worry about chasing numbers, your gonna be awesome at this but now is the time just to let things happen. Don't get discouraged.

Thank you. Nitrates are around 40-50 ppm. I'm doing a 20 gallon water change Sunday. Hopefully i can get my first Anenomes on Monday

sirmixa · Apr 2, 2016

I would say the anemone is a gamble. I went through just about the same things you are going through 2 months ago and I went big with this ritteri anemone and he set me back when he died because I rushed it into the unstable water. I'm not saying don't do it, just sharing. I find fish much easier to adjust to the newer tanks

Just my 2 cents