This is one way, but you have a skimmer on the way right? Once the skimmer comes in you may start carbon dosing to consume the nitrates. Whether it be vodka, vinegar or pellets it will work to remove the nitrate.
Nitrates still 160 ppm
- Thread starter gemini9
- Start date
- Tagged users None
This is one way, but you have a skimmer on the way right? Once the skimmer comes in you may start carbon dosing to consume the nitrates. Whether it be vodka, vinegar or pellets it will work to remove the nitrate.
the one thing that kind of makes sense now is that if the op was using spring water high in nitrates, perhaps the rock absorbed this from the water column and that's why they are staying high, it's in the rock now ?? I agree with Pete above, regardless of the reason, you're going to need to do something more aggressive than water changes at this point, like carbon dosing. Hooking up your skimmer will also help in the long run too.
OP
OP
gemini9
Newb!
Look what came today. My octopus and 2 more pounds of rock. A pukani and multibranch. The multi branch is larger than expected. I thought I would have several small pieces but its just one big piece.
Now about the new dry rock... I dont want to put it straight in the tank without making sure its clean first. What should I do? Bleach?
Now about the new dry rock... I dont want to put it straight in the tank without making sure its clean first. What should I do? Bleach?
I might hold off on adding new rock until your get your nitrates down. I think if you wash it well, once the tank's parameters are good, you can put it in.....Get that skimmer up and running 
OP
OP
gemini9
Newb!
Alright I'm a little confused here. I'm about to put on this skimmer but I need to move my tank back from the wall some (if I can). In order to do this, I need to drain some of the water. What I'm confused about, is the water changes. I've read 2 different things regarding water changes. The last order of dry rock was added 4/11. So should I be doing my normal 20% weekly water change or hold off on it? Since I'm taking water out of the tank to move it forward some, should I go ahead and do my water change? Or if it's still cycling, should I leave it be and put the old water back in?
OP
OP
gemini9
Newb!
Did a 20% water change yesterday and added my skimmer. Tested nitrates today and still pretty high. Looks to be around 80ppm. The skimmer doesn't appear to be removing anything yet but I guess it's still breaking in. I'll do another 20% water change at the end of the week. Friday maybe. It LOOKS like my diatoms are starting to go away, but they aren't turning color like the guide said would happen. I read the beginners guide to saltwater aquariums here in the forum and it said the diatoms would change colors, normally red. But they aren't changing. Just looks like they are starting to disappear.... Of course, I've moved around some of the rock so that may be part of it...
sounds good gemini! it will take a period of time (a few days) for the skimmer to break in....
Dalmatia
Valuable Member
Don't forget your nitrates won't go anywhere till you take them out. Just do a huge water change, get your nitrates down to a big 0.
See where it gets you. By the nitrates in your tank your cycled. It's all been converted to it final stage of the cycle (ammonia-nitrite-nitrate) and unless you have a tank full of filter feeders your nitrates won't be consumed
See where it gets you. By the nitrates in your tank your cycled. It's all been converted to it final stage of the cycle (ammonia-nitrite-nitrate) and unless you have a tank full of filter feeders your nitrates won't be consumed
Dalmatia
Valuable Member
In one of your posts you said you where back to 80ppm in nitrates. Just to make the math easier, a 50% wc would bring you down to maybe 40ppm.
I don't think a 20% water change will help you to much
I don't think a 20% water change will help you to much
I think carbon dosing is the remedy. Vinegar is less touchy than vodka from what I understand. I have never carbon dosed before though. I have read up on it, and my 40 has a reactor with biopellets in standby in the case that ever becomes necessary. To tell you the truth, I hope that day comes. I plan on stocking very heavy 
The reason I think carbon dosing is the answer is because (as I previously stated) this system really has no way of metabolizing nitrate. In time it may be weaned off the dosing, but I kinda doubt it. If it is possible it will be from the skimmer removing all the protein before it can turn into nitrate. If it gets stocked heavily the skimmer can't remove the ammonia produced by the livestock.
The reason I think carbon dosing is the answer is because (as I previously stated) this system really has no way of metabolizing nitrate. In time it may be weaned off the dosing, but I kinda doubt it. If it is possible it will be from the skimmer removing all the protein before it can turn into nitrate. If it gets stocked heavily the skimmer can't remove the ammonia produced by the livestock.
Last edited:
A skimmer will stop the organics from causing nitrate from happening, but it will not remove nitrates. Once the nitrate is there you have to find a way to remove it. With the carbon dosing it will grow bacteria that bind with nitrate and are then skimmed out. Many people have suggested this to you because it would be very effective. Why do 50% water changes all the time when it can be more effective to carbon dose? It would be way cheaper to buy a gallon jug of vinegar for $3 instead of buying $20 bags of salt.
