Newbie, confused about nitrates

FnR
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Deltec
I think about 25%. I have a 65 gal plus 30 sump which is about half full... Minus rock etc, I think I have about 70-75 gal.
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
I sure hope so. Almost have another 18 gal ready just mixing and getting it up to temp. Should be ready in an hour.
 
After the fifth change... Still at 80. :(

My brown dioms are starting to turn into green patches of algae, should I be concerned?
 
WWC
Fishinwall said:
After the fifth change... Still at 80. :(

My brown dioms are starting to turn into green patches of algae, should I be concerned?
Click to expand...

I don't know if that is any concern. You may be running out of silicate for the diatoms, which is typical unless you add it somehow.
 
What is silicate?

I decided to do a 36 gal water change. I got a bigger container.... I'm losing patients with the multiple water changes at this much water every time... I'm hoping one last big one can get me to the 10% weekly maintenance changes.
 
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Avast
I've been using an 18 gal container that I had measured out using a gal milk jug... I but two 18 gal of water into the brute and it was about half an inch from the top.
 
AS
Fishinwall said:
I've been using an 18 gal container that I had measured out using a gal milk jug... I but two 18 gal of water into the brute and it was about half an inch from the top.
Click to expand...

OK, but the 1 gallon milk jugs may hold more than 1 gallon when totally full.

For example, a 2 L soda bottle contains something like 2.1 L of fluid when full to the top. :)
 
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Ok well. Either way I just changed a ton of water! Done
So how long should I wait before retesting the water for nitrates?
Randy Homes-Farley
 
As soon as the new water is fully mixed with the old, it is suitable for testing. I expect that's less than 5 minutes in a sumpless tank and might be an hour or more in a system like mine with extended sumps and refugia. :)
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Ok I just have a sump underneath. I'm going to give it 45 min, then I'm going to test. You think that should be good enough?

When I was changing the water, I stuck my head in the display tank....sure smelled like a crabby ocean.
 
Sounds reasonable. Think of it like adding food coloring. As soon as the tank is one shade of color, its mixed. :)

With the smell, as you trying to suck up detritus, and so may be stirring things up, or just removing water?
 
I really didn't stir much up but there was one small area, about four inches x four inches that I rubbed down a bit to get the brown off.

Water is almost clear already. I'm a bit anxious to try it, if you can't tell.
 
Nutramar Foods
The detritus would only be from the one crab I have in there....been in there about four to five weeks... But you know I've been doing water changes like crazy.
 
Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Sounds reasonable. ?
Click to expand...

Randy I have an aluminum screen that I made to keep my fish in the tank (if I ever get any in there lol)... Is it ok if the aluminum momentarily touches the water until the system hits it's rhythm and balances out...water level drops in main display?
 

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