Nitrates levels keep rising

[jsker]

How old is the tank?
Salt Gravity?
Temp?
Ammonia?
Nitrites?
PO4?

Yellow wrasse will grow to 5". Still a little big for a 29 gallon. His bioload isn't helping. You had this issue 15 days ago and you had salinity problems?

3.5 months stated above

 

[reeferfoxx]

3.5 months stated above

Thanks, i didn't see it. I went through his thread from 15 days ago(3 months then, same issue).

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Another thing I was thinking about is the frequent changes. If you change only five gallons, 25 percent, it may sound good but if your bio load is producing the nitrates as fast as you remove them, then you may be stuck in a loop. I do 5 gallons weekly but it's not nearly as effective as a 20 gallon change, which is 25 percent for me. Doing one big change and then keep the same 5 gal schedule may lock you into a lower level, if not, you may need to consider all of your options.Maybe a small hang on the back refugium will help, a deeper sand bed, one less fish, or a 50 percent change, are all just suggestions to help. Good luck!

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I may be showing my age, but I remember when distilleries used copper pipes. not sure if that has changed.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Another thing I was thinking about is the frequent changes. If you change only five gallons, 25 percent, it may sound good but if your bio load is producing the nitrates as fast as you remove them, then you may be stuck in a loop. I do 5 gallons weekly but it's not nearly as effective as a 20 gallon change, which is 25 percent for me. Doing one big change and then keep the same 5 gal schedule may lock you into a lower level, if not, you may need to consider all of your options.Maybe a small hang on the back refugium will help, a deeper sand bed, one less fish, or a 50 percent change, are all just suggestions to help. Good luck!

Randy Holmes Farley stated once that the presence of nitrites can give real high nitrate readings. Not 100% if this is the issue, but that is my thought?

 

[jsker]

I would let the system settle in. My suggestion is not to do big water changes, doing large water changes is only stripping what good bacteria that Is trying to astablish it's self.

Besides the nitrates going up, what dose the system look like, beside algae. It there a cleaning crew in place?

 

[jsker]

I may be showing my age, but I remember when distilleries used copper pipes. not sure if that has changed.

Depends what your making

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Water.

 

[120reefkeeper]

I would let the system settle in. My suggestion is not to do big water changes, doing large water changes is only stripping what good bacteria that Is trying to astablish it's self.

Besides the nitrates going up, what dose the system look like, beside algae. It there a cleaning crew in place?

I like this thought and was about to post the same.

Patience.

I would do 1 large change and try to keep from adding to the issue. Cut back on feeding and or lower your fish load until you have it under control. Time and Consistency are key.

 

[BummersReef]

just a very tiny aside or suggestion that may help a wee bit (I am very new and have had some nitrate issues in my QT so not much help with the nitrate issue itself) but perhaps try feeding frozen mysis instead of pellets or flakes (or alternate the two types) as it is my understanding the frozen shrimp is less nutrient dense and thus has smaller impact on bio load.

 

[120reefkeeper]

just a very tiny aside or suggestion that may help a wee bit (I am very new and have had some nitrate issues in my QT so not much help with the nitrate issue itself) but perhaps try feeding frozen mysis instead of pellets or flakes (or alternate the two types) as it is my understanding the frozen shrimp is less nutrient dense and thus has smaller impact on bio load.

Yes this is true. When I feed frozen I defrost in tank water and drain off the water and only feed the solid product to my tank.

 

[reeferfoxx]

If his nitrite levels never went down, not doing a water change won't help anything.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Lol hope all this info helps! [emoji16]

I know it's a lot to take in but as you can see there is always more options than one believes.

You'll be fine , just sloooow down take a breath and adjust .

Small tanks like yours are actually a lot more work than larger systems. You have a lot less water to work with. That is what makes it harder.

A lot of good solid advice here.

Some of it you might not want to hear, but it must be said for you to have success!

 

[reeferfoxx]

I guess I missed something? lol....

I own nanos. I feed a lot. I have to dose nitrates. *shrugs*

 

[kyleflahardy]

My theory is you bought the rock, tank and sand. Set everything up. Improperly mixed the salt with an inaccurate hydrometer(or user error). You put the water in the tank. As some point you added salt directly to the tank. You've inadvertently killed most bacteria if not all. Began another cycle with existing fish, and the cycle never completed. You are most likely stuck with nitrites. In other words, new tank syndrome. Start with a 75% water change + bio-spira(live bacteria). Then for the next 7 days dose MB7 or stability to get the tank back to where it needs to be. And take a fish back to the store.

I was in back In the fish store shortly after I had set up the tank and they measured it with a proper hydrometer and my salinity was fine (I was also in a week ago and my salinity was fine). I have never added salt directly into the tank and right now I am already using live bacteria that I put into the water when I do water changes. Also about a week ago I did a 60% water change and used the live bacteria so I don't believe that I am suffering from new tank syndrome.

 

[kyleflahardy]

I'd say tank size is playing a huge role, accompanied with the fish food. Your bacteria is processing the waste well but the nitrate byproduct is usually taken down by water changes, which in your case isn't working. The distilled water is questionable too, ever test it? With all this nitrogen you must have a fair amount of algae, am I correct?

I have some algea that grows on the glass that I clean off so you might be correct about the distilled water. I am looking into getting a rodi unit so hopefully I will be able to switch over soon.

 

[kyleflahardy]

I'd say tank size is playing a huge role, accompanied with the fish food. Your bacteria is processing the waste well but the nitrate byproduct is usually taken down by water changes, which in your case isn't working. The distilled water is questionable too, ever test it? With all this nitrogen you must have a fair amount of algae, am I correct?

I have some algea that grows on the glass that I clean off so you might be correct about the distilled water. I am looking into getting a rodi unit so hopefully I will be able to switch over soon.

 

[kyleflahardy]

I would let the system settle in. My suggestion is not to do big water changes, doing large water changes is only stripping what good bacteria that Is trying to astablish it's self.

Besides the nitrates going up, what dose the system look like, beside algae. It there a cleaning crew in place?

Yes there is a large cleaning crew. About 1 dozen hermits crabs and 1 dozen snails

 

[njtiger aquariums]

I was in back In the fish store shortly after I had set up the tank and they measured it with a proper hydrometer and my salinity was fine (I was also in a week ago and my salinity was fine). I have never added salt directly into the tank and right now I am already using live bacteria that I put into the water when I do water changes. Also about a week ago I did a 60% water change and used the live bacteria so I don't believe that I am suffering from new tank syndrome.

What 'live bacteria' are you adding to your water? If you already have a cycle going I don't see why you need to keep adding bacteria. Your bioload will add the bacteria that is being pulled out.

Like everyone else suggested. Slow down and invest in a RO/DI unit (which I believe you stated you were)

Also what are you using to top off you water between changes?

 

[reeferfoxx]

What 'live bacteria' are you adding to your water? If you already have a cycle going I don't see why you need to keep adding bacteria. Your bioload will add the bacteria that is being pulled out.

Like everyone else suggested. Slow down and invest in a RO/DI unit (which I believe you stated you were)

Also what are you using to top off you water between changes?

According to him, 15 days ago he had ammonia readings in his water.