Nitrate problem driving me up a wall...

[DereksReef77]

I changed the fitting and added what twilliard said to add. I will test nitrate and phosphate tommaro. My scrubber is working I believe I can clean it and it turns brownish black in a few day like I need to clean it twice a week. Has some green on it. Is the scrubber working then?

This is what I pull off my ats. Could harvest twice a week usually. Try getting a better light for your ats.

 

[brownsalt92]

What type of light are you using? That's incredible mine definitely does not look like that I have just a spot light with a light bulb that is 5400 k Onnit

 

[DereksReef77]

What type of light are you using? That's incredible mine definitely does not look like that I have just a spot light with a light bulb that is 5400 k Onnit

I use a mars aqua hydroponic led white box.

 

[melev]

Yeah, you'll want to blast it with a far stronger light. And now that you can get LEDs, it's not an energy hog like previously done.

 

[brownsalt92]

Yea I'll have to get a strong led flood light bulb

 

[brownsalt92]

Well I went ahead changed my waterfall algea scrubber from a 8"x6 with a light on one side to a 10 x10 with a light on both sides. The 8x6 I would have to clean the blk/brown algea off it ever few days. The bigger scrubber Is starting to grow but it's only 5 days old. My next question is my nitrates still sit at a 20 and po4 sits at a .08 to .16 could my crushed coral substrate be my underlying problem to my headach? Has anyone else had this problem befor??

 

[blacktippr]

Well I went ahead changed my waterfall algea scrubber from a 8"x6 with a light on one side to a 10 x10 with a light on both sides. The 8x6 I would have to clean the blk/brown algea off it ever few days. The bigger scrubber Is starting to grow but it's only 5 days old. My next question is my nitrates still sit at a 20 and po4 sits at a .08 to .16 could my crushed coral substrate be my underlying problem to my headach? Has anyone else had this problem befor??

I Believe My crushed coral like sand is doing the same for me.

 

[brownsalt92]

I Believe My crushed coral like sand is doing the same for me.

I hope some one will jump into this conversation with some useful info.

 

[twilliard]

Crushed coral is a trap and producer of no3 and po4
As the organics break down within the substrate your DOC's will rise ending in an increase of those.

 

[brownsalt92]

Crushed coral is a trap and producer of no3 and po4
As the organics break down within the substrate your DOC's will rise ending in an increase of those.

Even using a gravel vac I've found it still won't help. Would you recommend changing the sand out with a fine sand?

 

[twilliard]

A good wash of substrate sections at a time is what I have found to work for this kind of substrate.
When it comes to sand doing this is dependant on the depth.

 

[brownsalt92]

A good wash of substrate sections at a time is what I have found to work for this kind of substrate.
When it comes to sand doing this is dependant on the depth.

It's about a 2" sand bed if that makes a difference

 

[twilliard]

It's about a 2" sand bed if that makes a difference

Good to go for sectional clean and wash

 

[brownsalt92]

Good to go for sectional clean and wash

What do a quarter of the tank with my 10% waterchange was substrate and ready to tank. How should I add it back to the sand bed without clouding up my water

 

[twilliard]

What do a quarter of the tank with my 10% waterchange was substrate and ready to tank. How should I add it back to the sand bed without clouding up my water

Once the sand is washed good it shouldn't cloud the water. With no current it will fall right to the bottom.
Yes a quarter of the sand at a time (depending on tank size)
You don't want to pull so much that it is hard to clean

 

[lauderdalestunner]

Personally and IMO keeping nitrates consistently in the low range is impossible with a sand bed and engineer gobies. I have both and when work starts the sand bed is disturbed and nitrates will fluctuate. I started with vodka and moved to bio pellets helps a good bit but with my heavy fish load and feeding I don't have much luck with Sps other than monti's leptos n pavona.

 

[brownsalt92]

It's a 90 display with a 20 gallon sump 100 gallons of water total volume

 

[brownsalt92]

Personally and IMO keeping nitrates consistently in the low range is impossible with a sand bed and engineer gobies. I have both and when work starts the sand bed is disturbed and nitrates will fluctuate. I started with vodka and moved to bio pellets helps a good bit but with my heavy fish load and feeding I don't have much luck with Sps other than monti's leptos n pavona.

Yes I agree engineering gobies were a mistake in my tank also they make more of a mess than my Foxface in Regal hippo combined

 

[lauderdalestunner]

It's my wife's favorite fish so removal isn't an option....lol. I also run a bag of gfo in my overflow with floss and a good skimmers. 14 fish in a 90gal all very healthy an I try and stick to corals that have had good experience with multiple tanks are not in option so I just have to use some self-control in my expectations on when I can have my tank. High end acros would require a livestock reduction and a doser I think on my system. Till now I'll test on a birdsnest frag

 

[lauderdalestunner]

My fish list

1 long nose Hawk
1 engineer
1 watchman
1 powder blue
3 damsels
1 Royal Garama
1 pigmy angel
1 possum wrasse
1 clown
2 Cardinals
1 anthias