Hi Nitrate

[Got Water?]

I will try and make this short.
My tank has been up and running about 4 months (150sw). I have my tank serviced and have a partial water change every two weeks. My water has alway tested good. 4 weeks ago we took out the bioballs and replaced them with a filter pad. 2 weeks ago we added something called chemi-pure, we also put a timer on my skimmer so it wouldn't run all the time. The nitrate level has slowly increased. I don't have very many fish and I'm sure I was feeding to much, so I cut back on the amount, 2 weeks ago. I have moved some of the rocks and coral around and disturbed some of the sand bed. I don't know if it makes a differance but the temp. has been steady at 80.8 - 81.4. I just checked my water and now it is 20ppm. Like I said I have my tank serviced, because I don't know what I'm doing (yet). I might just be panicing over something that is a normal cycle. What do any of you think?

P.S. The LFS who dose my servicing has a wonderful reputation, they set up my tank and have a personal interest in it.

 

[melosu58]

we also put a timer on my skimmer so it wouldn't run all the time. The nitrate level has slowly increased.

Wht is this being done. I run mine 24/7 and have 0 nitrates. Your skimmer is a very important piece of equipment that removes DOC that end up being nitrates. I would run it 24/7 if it was me. I know alot of folks that run a skimmer but not one of them have it on a timer. JMO

 

[Got Water?]

It's suppose to be for some filter feeding coral. The tank is going to be mostly reef. But I think I'm getting confussed about all of the changes.

I'm not really comfortable about not having my skimmer running 24/7.

Should I put the bio-balls back? I didn't seem to have a problem then. But I have read that they to can increase nitrates in your tank.

I hope that I'm getting good info from my service person. But I don't know enough to contradict his advice. Should I seek someone else for service?

 

[melosu58]

I dont see why you cant use him but remember that he works for you. It really sounds like he`s not up on all his SW practices. You study up and research and let him know what you want to do.

 

[roka64]

Has the chemi-pure been changed/rinsed? What about the filter pad? That could be the culprit.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Agree with roka that if that filter pad hasn't been rinsed, it could be causing issues. But depending on how long the skimmer is being turned off, that could be the major issue.

I know of some folks that have their skimmer on a timer to go off, but they use that in conjunction with feeding Marine Snow, or the likes. It's only off for a couple hours.

 

[pat8you]

What about the filter pad? That could be the culprit.

This would be my guess as well. Any kind of sponge or pad or socks will collect and then leach nitrates back into the system unless they are clean regularly. I think on the order of every week depending on how nasty they get.

It's suppose to be for some filter feeding coral. The tank is going to be mostly reef. But I think I'm getting confussed about all of the changes.

Some people are of the opinion that a tank can be over skimmed. What they mean by this is that while skimmers are great for removing DOCs and keeping nitrates low they also remove lots of things that some of the filter feeding corals in a reef tank can use for food. It's possible your service guy is trying to leave some of that in the water to the benefit of any filter feeders you have in your tank. If your nitrates are rising though this means that you don't have enough other means of filtration to export nutrients. So you have two options, you can either turn your skimmer back on full time or increase your filtration in some other way. This could be marco in a fuge or increasing the number of water changes. You can also reduce the amount of nutrients going into the system (mainly food) depending on how often and what you are feeding right now. In the end nutrients into the system has to equal nutrients out of the system or you will end up with nitrates that build up.

I have moved some of the rocks and coral around and disturbed some of the sand bed.

This can also cause a bit of a spike in your parameters as well. I would do an extra water change to reduce your nitrates and keep an eye on things. If they still continue to rise then you know you need to take action.

 

[Got Water?]

They are coming tomarrow to service the tank and water change.
I think... what I want to do is to leave my skimmer on, and remove the filter pad. The filter pad is in the chamber where the bio-balls where, should I put bio-balls back or maybe just LR?
I forgot to mention that I have also put some live algae in my sump with a strip light. I have heard you can do this to cultivate live algae for feeding.
Is this a good idea or is it making matters worst?

 

[Got Water?]

Oh, I have been cleaning the filter pad almost every other day. It seems to be the only thing filtering anything.
When my skimmer is running it's not foaming up gunk like it was before. Is it running properly?

 

[pat8you]

should I put bio-balls back or maybe just LR?

Leave the bio-balls out. If you wanna put something back in i would go with LR or LR rubble. Putting algae in is a good thing. As it grows it will take nitrate and phosphate out of your system. There are some kinds of algae that can be feed to tangs and other herbivores. If it were me i would probably take the filter pad out. Its good for when you stir thing up in the tank some how as a quick was to get gunk out of your water but long term i wouldn't rely on it. As far as your skimmer working properly that will be much easier for your service guy to asses since he will be able to actually look at it and see it working i would ask him.

 

[Got Water?]

OK, I took everything out. filter pads and the chemi-pure (which I still don't know what that is for). I going to leave the skimmer on and see how things look tomorrow. After the water change I'm hoping things will settle down. Thanks so much for all the info, keep it coming!

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Seems to me the real decision is whether YOU service your tank, or you pay someone else to. If you pay someone else to, then most of the time it seems like the contract pretty much says that the servicing company decides how the tank is run. Many of the servicing places I'm aware of would've had a fit (privately) if one of their clients decided to go and move a bunch of rocks around or replace bioballs without their knowledge. If you have one that's interesting in talking about different ways of running the tank, that's pretty cool... but just be aware that you might be treading on thin ice.

 

[Innovator]

Seems to me the real decision is whether YOU service your tank, or you pay someone else to. If you pay someone else to, then most of the time it seems like the contract pretty much says that the servicing company decides how the tank is run. Many of the servicing places I'm aware of would've had a fit (privately) if one of their clients decided to go and move a bunch of rocks around or replace bioballs without their knowledge. If you have one that's interesting in talking about different ways of running the tank, that's pretty cool... but just be aware that you might be treading on thin ice.

Speaking on this and for anyone who is interested in having their tanks maintenenced for them, unless leased this is your tank, your investment, and you are hiring them to do your bidding. You may have a contract, but it is up to you to enforce how you want the tank run and your choice to inform them of changes you make; It is not up to the servicing company so do not allow them to make judgements without your authority (contracts should stipulate any changes made by owner is not at company's expense). If you have to tip-toe so not to upset the company then you need to look for another company.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Most of the stuff I'm familiar with are leased tanks as well as occupants. Guess I assumed that was the case here too.

My main point is that if you are doing something that goes against the maintainer's philosophy (even if that philosophy is dead wrong) you're probably going to get yourself into a finger-pointing match down the road if something goes wrong.

 

[Got Water?]

Sorry it took me awhile to get back on line.
I have some good news. My tank was serviced on thrusday, and a partial water change. I had alot of questions and concerns for my service person.
I don't have a "contract" with them, it is just a service call every other week. I have no obligation to them.
And I do agree, it is my tank and a very large investment. On the other hand I don't have the knowledge to tell them what is the best thing for my tank.
We have agreed that he will take has much time as he needs to teach me why and what is going on with my tank (w/o more $$). I feel alot better about the whole relationship. I do know, he has taken a personal interest in my tank, keeping a portfolio from the first contruction, for referances.

He had one great suggestion, "Get on line with AquariumAdvice.com"
rotflol