Next step

[peppe_67]

In our Reefer 450 we now have 17 fish and not so much corals (since most of the LPS we got died).
Probably the LPS died due to the high nitrate level that we've had for a while without me understanding that it was to high (50ppm).
Most of the guidance I've got regarding the high level lean against overfertilization of our tank.
Now I've conducted a series of waterchanges and the nitrate level is down at 8ppm.
My question is about my next step:
Should I go on putting more of the fish I have planned for?
Or, should I put in more corals and let them grow first?
Or should I leave it "as is" a while and let everything level out?

 

[RobZilla04]

Probably best to leave it be for a while.

17 fish is a lot in that size display for starters. Once you get a feeding and maintenance regiment adjusted to maintain solid Nitrate/Phosphate numbers, then dabble back into corals perhaps.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I would leave it running for a month or two checking your parameters and then when get more stable decide if you want to add more corals or fish but slowly.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Stability is key so don’t add more variables to the equation for a while.

 

[scott11106]

I agree with the advise already given however, we could help more and give some better advice if we have more details on your system and parameters and some pictures of the entire system...

did you fix the high nitrates. i see it is down to 8 but how long has it been at 8 and is it stable and I like mine lower than that?
what are other parameters? (temperature, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, ammonia, phosphates)(see attached)
how often and quantity of water changes?
450 reefer so I assume you have a sump?
do you dose anything?

 

[lapin]

I agree with letting it rest. Water changes brought N down but have you tackled the problem? Do you also have high phosphates? Time will let you know if you have solved the problem. If you plan on a lot of water changes then you might be ok to add a few easy to keep things in the LPS family. See how that goes before adding more.
As far as 1 fish per 5 gallons of water, that could be ok for nano fish. If you have bigger ones you are over stocked now

 

[peppe_67]

I agree with the advise already given however, we could help more and give some better advice if we have more details on your system and parameters and some pictures of the entire system...

did you fix the high nitrates. i see it is down to 8 but how long has it been at 8 and is it stable and I like mine lower than that?
what are other parameters? (temperature, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, ammonia, phosphates)(see attached)
how often and quantity of water changes?
450 reefer so I assume you have a sump?
do you dose anything?

This is my latest parameters.
Since I understood that I had to high nitrate levels I've lowered the amount of food that I give.

Thanks all for the advice, I'll let it be for a while now and install an algea reactor at the end of the month as planned. That should make it easier to get my levels stable, isn't it so?

 

[peppe_67]

And here is a pic of how it looks now.