Really high nitrates, and I need help

[jhadaway117]

Thanks for the info. Oh, also, I have a fish that doesn’t really like to be out in the tank when I’m near it. So, how do I issue that it gets fed too?

maybe target feed it with one of those long coral feeding syringes? I’m surprised after two months that it doesn’t come out when you feed.

 

[ZachariahBeanz]

yeah I’m cleaning this tank up before a large purchase also… just in case and why not
I’m not endorsing it per se but thought I’d try it. So much snake oil floating around but the price/ risk was low, and the products promise and premise seemed reasonable.
Reef Actif
NP Biopellets
Elimi NP

again just saying since implementing 1 week ago my nitrates dropped by 10 - 20 ppm in both tanks from “out of range” - 79ppm
the other tank 95 - 75 ppm during the same period
this data set is early

An entire cube of mysis - even a half cube - for only 3 fish is a waste, they can only eat 4-5-6-7 pieces each, all the rest will rot in the water.

To give you an idea, I feed a half cube to my 3 tanks with total 18 fish. half a cube feeds all that, and I usually still throw a little away.

Thaw a small piece of cube in a glass, then use a turkey baster to add just a few pieces of shrimp. If they eat it all, then add a few more.

I think your problem is heavy overfeeding and under filtering.

Also, just so you know, you will have a variety of ugly phases in the tank throughout most of the first year so expect various algae to come and go.

Also, I forgot to ask yesterday, is this white stingy stuff just algae due to my very elevated nitrate levels?

 

[Lavey29]

Also, I forgot to ask yesterday, is this white stingy stuff just algae due to my very elevated nitrate levels?

Those rocks are going to change 10 different colors over the coming months. They will have slime algae, turf algae, GHA etc.... irregardless of your moderate elevated nitrates level which is easily remedied. Yes, probably some new tank fuzz on the rocks. Start building your cleaner crew.

 

[ZachariahBeanz]

Those rocks are going to change 10 different colors over the coming months. They will have slime algae, turf algae, GHA etc.... irregardless of your moderate elevated nitrates level which is easily remedied. Yes, probably some new tank fuzz on the rocks. Start building your cleaner crew.

Yeah, I’ve been trying to look at what I should get, and this what I’ve compiled so far:
2 trouchus snails

2 Nerite Snails

4 dwarf Ceriths

2 Nassarius snails

Maybe a conch (tiger/strawberry)?
Is this a good start?

 

[Lavey29]

Yeah, I’ve been trying to look at what I should get, and this what I’ve compiled so far:
2 trouchus snails

2 Nerite Snails

4 dwarf Ceriths

2 Nassarius snails

Maybe a conch (tiger/strawberry)?
Is this a good start?

Sure that's fine to start. No conch yet though. Eventually you will want probably 3x those numbers of snails though along with a turbo and tuxedo urchin. But only increase your cleaning crew numbers as the situation requires so you don't end up with die off.

 

[vcnt]

Sure that's fine to start. No conch yet though. Eventually you will want probably 3x those numbers of snails though along with a turbo and tuxedo urchin. But only increase your cleaning crew numbers as the situation requires so you don't end up with die off.

Tuxedo or pin cushion urchin which is best?

 

[Lavey29]

Tuxedo or pin cushion urchin which is best?

Tuxedo for small tank

 

[vcnt]

Tuxedo for small tank

Alright so i should go with pin cushion? tanks 110

 

[Lavey29]

Alright so i should go with pin cushion? tanks 110

Either or, I have 3 petco tuxedo's in my 65g for over 3 years now. They keep on truckin

 

[Doctorgori]

whatever you do I usually don’t get or mix hermits with narcissus, cerith or nerite snails… usually you end up with the hermits wearing them…and yes either they are killing the snails or I seem to buy a lot more when hermits are around

 

[Lavey29]

whatever you do I usually don’t get or mix hermits with narcissus, cerith or nerite snails… usually you end up with the hermits wearing them…and yes either they are killing the snails or I seem to buy a lot more when hermits are around

Drop some nice empty shells in your tank so they don't mess with your snails.

 

[Doctorgori]

Drop some nice empty shells in your tank so they don't mess with your snails.

Reef cleaners sell shells just for that …but sometimes I wonder if they kill the snails just to try the shells out