Live rock Conundrum(sp?)

[Jkraft136]

Ended up picking up a sea hare tonight to help combat this terror, then when its gone, he will be passed on to someone in the reff club that needs him.

 

[Bifferwine]

Good idea. Keep us updated on how he/she does.

 

[Jkraft136]

Pretty much eating and pooping atm :P Never noticed the butt on the back :P

 

[yote]

Those things crap about as fast as they eat.Like an old cow they live to eat and leave patties everywhere.

 

[Jkraft136]

aslong as my tank is hair algae free i'm fine with poop. Well funny thing is that the last 2 Octo Hob skimmers i order came in broken in pieces. So i had my LFS ordered it for me but won't be here for 2 weeks. Besides water changes do they nitrate media for canisters actually work or no?

 

[yote]

I've never tryed the nitrate media.But like anything else,its going to take time.I think water changes would do just as good at getting rid of em.

 

[Bifferwine]

The nitrate media works, but it will take several months before you start to see a difference. They are definitely not quick fixes (in the past I have tried both the Kent Marine and SeaChem brands). They are not meant to bring down high nitrates since they work so slowly. They are meant more as a maintenance thing.

 

[Jkraft136]

hmm ok. Even after water changes i seem to still see nitrates around 40 using Ro water. Is that normal?

 

[yote]

Weather or not thats normal depends a lot on how much water your changing,the bio-load,how much and how often your feeding.
Once you got nitrates over 10ppm,then its going to take a lot of time and work to get them on down.But it can be done.

 

[Jkraft136]

Only bio load right now is a CuC,Mandarin,Sea hare. I do about 15g every 2 weeks on my 75g

 

[yote]

With nitrates at 40,then a 15% water change is only going to drop them to 34.Most test kits wont pick up that small of difference.

 

[Jkraft136]

so what do u suggest bi weekly then? 25g?

 

[Bifferwine]

Have you tested the new water for nitrates before you add it to the tank?

 

[Jkraft136]

Ya i'm using RO water from the LFs, 0 all across the board.

 

[yote]

I'd go 25% once a week untill they came down.
Something else that I've found that will actually help.Brightwell Aquatics Bio-Reef Fuel.Its basically a carbon source (like vodka).Something about it binds the nitrates and phosphates then the filters feeders can use it for for food.
I'm using it myself,so I feel safe in recommending it.And it'll actually work to bring the nitrates down along with the water changes.

 

[cthegame]

I'd go 25% once a week untill they came down.


I agree. Up your water changes for a while. Id even do 15% twice per week until you see results.