Nitrates

[ScottB]

I am all for owning your own RODI. And starting with live rock was a good call IMO. Hopefully it has all kinds of good microbial stuff in it.

As to "high" nitrates at this point you don't need to worry or intervene.

Have you tested for NO2 (nitrites)? If they are not yet zero, they will throw off a nitrate kit. Still, not a problem. The bacterial colony you started with to process the ammonia into NO2 (nitrites) will quickly develop the capacity to process NO2 to NO3 (nitrates) and ultimately NO3 into nitrogen. Poof. It is pretty cool, right?

Just manage the temp and salinity, and let a few billion years of biological evolution do its thing. IMO, interventions more often serve to set back the maturation process more than accelerate it.

 

[Luckyduck]

I had the same issue. Just came out of an 18 day fish less cycle, I added the bac too. After the cycle completed I was at 50ppm on Nitrates and they have settled down on their own a few days later to around 20. Another water change would not hurt as well if they're still hanging high.

Just tested them again today and they're next to near 0. 24 hours ago they were 20. I did just add a mini air driven skimmer 48 hours ago so I'm sure that helped but I think it's safe to say the bacteria is doing its job and I should give them a raise lol

 

[Lizdoesreef]

Yeah part of a proper cycle of a tank is slowly getting your nitrates down. Even "wet" live Rock can have plenty of nitrates. Especially if the rocks are in a huge bin of water w no proper filtration or maintenance (most of the time). I would highly recommend staying away from chemicals like nopox. It's easy to use and gets quick results, but isn't a long term solution. Achieveling low nitrates on it's own is the best way to achieve stability....which leads to long term success.

 

[Luckyduck]

Yeah part of a proper cycle of a tank is slowly getting your nitrates down. Even "wet" live Rock can have plenty of nitrates. Especially if the rocks are in a huge bin of water w no proper filtration or maintenance (most of the time). I would highly recommend staying away from chemicals like nopox. It's easy to use and gets quick results, but isn't a long term solution. Achieveling low nitrates on it's own is the best way to achieve stability....which leads to long term success.

Lol don't tell him that. Nopox and things like Microbacter ARE long term solutions. You are essentially adding bacteria to your tank to jump start the cycle. You don't get false results. Once the bacteria establishes, starts and completes the cycle it keeps working. It's not like it dies and you're back to the beginning of the cycle. Try and do it with out and it can take up to two months. There's many ways to cycle a tank but using starter bacteria is a great, safe and easy way to shave off weeks in some instances.