Parameters

[Misha]

My tank is running alright for 3 months now. My nitrate used to be around 5 and phosphate 0.03 today I did my weekly 10% WC and tests and my nitrate is 10 and phosphate 0.1.

The only reason I can think of is my aquascape changes that stirred up the sandbed.

What do you guys suggest or are the levels ok if they don’t get higher?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Stirred up sandbed, failed ro/di filters, increased feeding, in creased bioload (adding more fish) can all be contributors to your increased nutrient levels.

 

[Misha]

Stirred up sandbed, failed ro/di filters, increased feeding, in creased bioload (adding more fish) can all be contributors to your increased nutrient levels.

Thought about that to, I know my rodi didn’t fail (0 tds). Feeding is the same if not less. I did add a gobiodon fish.

I guess the combination of the sandbed and the fish did it.

Are the levels to high?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Phosphate could be a little lower, generally less than .1ppm is desired. But I wouldn't be too concerned

 

[Maddlesrain]

When is last time you tested your levels?
The stirring of the sand could have definitely contributed, but maybe they’ve been creeping up for awhile now?

What type of fish and inverts do you have in the tank, what is your feeding regime, and how big is the tank?

What does your nutrient export process look like? Mechanical filtration? Biological filtration?

 

[Misha]

Phosphate could be a little lower, generally less than .1ppm is desired. But I wouldn't be too concerned

Cool thanks! Will the phosphate decrease without adding anything?

 

[Misha]

When is last time you tested your levels?
The stirring of the sand could have definitely contributed, but maybe they’ve been creeping up got awhile now?

What type of fish and inverts do you have in the tank, what is your feeding regime, and how big is the tank?

What does your nutrient export process look like? Mechanical filtration? Biological filtration?

Last week, po4 0.03 nitrate 5. I did the aquascape change 4 days ago (4 days after the tests).

I feed once a day a very small amount of pellets (6 or so)

Mechanical filter with sponges and skimmer

The tank is 15g. I’ve got 2 small ocellaris (till they get to big, i’ll upgrade). 1 gobiodon that’s it for the fish. 1 hermit, 1 stomatella (hitchhiker) and 3 of these I don’t know the name of:

 

[Maddlesrain]

Last week, po4 0.03 nitrate 5. I did the aquascape change 4 days ago (4 days after the tests).

I feed once a day a very small amount of pellets (6 or so)

Mechanical filter with sponges and skimmer

The tank is 15g. I’ve got 2 small ocellaris (till they get to big, i’ll upgrade). 1 gobiodon that’s it for the fish. 1 hermit, 1 stomatella (hitchhiker) and 3 of these I don’t know the name of:

That looks like a cerith snail to me.

Based on that information I don’t feel like there should be a problem. I’d attribute the spike to the sand. The only other thing that might cause that would be the sponge if you you don’t rinse it thoroughly/ change it regularly.

The phosphate should go down on its own, but you could also do a water change. That should help as well. I wouldn’t worry too much though, it sounds like everything is fine.

 

[Misha]

That looks like a cerith snail to me.

Based on that information I don’t feel like there should be a problem. I’d attribute the spike to the sand. The only other thing that might cause that would be the sponge if you you don’t rinse it thoroughly/ change it regularly.

The phosphate should go down on its own, but you could also do a water change. That should help as well. I wouldn’t worry too much though, it sounds like everything is fine.

Sounds good to me

What’s the best way to rinse the sponges? With tap, rodi or saltwater?

Off topic: is my cuc good enough? Will it be good to add some different type of snails? If so, what will be the best ones?

 

[Maddlesrain]

Sounds good to me

What’s the best way to rinse the sponges? With tap, rodi or saltwater?

Off topic: is my cuc good enough? Will it be good to add some different type of snails? If so, what will be the best ones?

Depending on how dirty they are I’d blast them with the hose or in the kitchen sink and and then squeeze it out really well. You can do a second rinse in RO if you want.

You could add another snail or two. You don’t really need to, but I don’t think it would hurt. I really like my trochus snails. Or if you want something to turn the sand, nassarius are a good choice. Maybe 3-5 of them in your sized tank.

 

[Misha]

Depending on how dirty they are I’d blast them with the hose or in the kitchen sink and and then squeeze it out really well. You can do a second rinse in RO if you want.

You could add another snail or two. You don’t really need to, but I don’t think it would hurt. I really like my trochus snails. Or if you want something to turn the sand, nassarius are a good choice. Maybe 3-5 of them in your sized tank.

Will do that, I was afraid to use tap water because of the minerals.

I’ll add some nassarius I think, can trochus snails turn over by themselves? My cerith snails always fall of the glass and land on their backs lol.

 

[Maddlesrain]

Will do that, I was afraid to use tap water because of the minerals.

I’ll add some nassarius I think, can trochus snails turn over by themselves? My cerith snails always fall of the glass and land on their backs lol.

As far as I’ve seen, yes. I don’t ever have to flip them over... unless they never fall lol

They do seem to have a stronger grip than some of the other snails though.

 

[RJinPV]

Will do that, I was afraid to use tap water because of the minerals.

I’ll add some nassarius I think, can trochus snails turn over by themselves? My cerith snails always fall of the glass and land on their backs lol.

Trochus snails can right themselves if they fall on their back. Astreas are the ones that can't.