fishdude Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 So I tested my water last night and my nitrates were about 20ppm and so I did a water change. Today I tested it again and it dropped but barely its about 15 ppm now. All that's in it is a peppermint shrimp and 5 blue leg hermits. Its a 10 gallon with live rock and sand. Why are my nitrates still high? Does it need more then a day or did I do something wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obeasethug Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 How long has your tank been set-up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burningbaal Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 How long has your tank been set-up? +1 also, how big was the water change? if you did a 20% water change (2 gallons), the level should drop from 20ppm to 16ppm, if you want it lower you have to change more water. if you have mostly just fish and soft corals, though 20ppm is probably fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdude Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Its been up just over a month. I only did a gallon water change. Right now there is no fish or corals. I don't wanna buy a fish and have it die a.day or two later.... so should I wait a few more days or u think it would be ok to get a fish tomorrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Sounds like your just at the end of the cycle to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 20ppm won't kill fish. Most of us at one time or another have had nitrates MUCH higher than that. That said, never be afraid to do a 50% water change. A couple summers ago, I was out of the country quite a bit and they got well over 100 in my 180 gallon. I did a series of 50% changes each week for a month and each time I cut them in half. Now they are consistently around 2ppm. In a 180, that's a lot of salt, but it was worth it. None of my fish ever showed ill effects of nitrates that high or of the large water changes. Corals, however did suffer a bit from the high nitrates. Always remember; The solution to pollution is dilution. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachS Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 +1 on the damsel they are $4! Also Get a bit more Lr imo, Will help with filtration and lower nitrates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdude Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Well my nitrates were almost zero a week an a half ago so I'm pretty sure the cycle is over but yeah I think ill get my fish tomorrow and just make sure I do water changes every 5-6 days:-) thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 What kind of fish are you going to get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdude Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 I think a little false percula. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Nice. Are you going to try coral? I have a 10g also. It's a good size for a small reef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdude Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 eventually i would like to get into some coral. turns out my nitrate test bottles were bad the lfs tested it and it was perfect. so yea once i get the FOWLR down ill move into some soft corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Scott Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 When your fish store say's "perfect" just what do they mean? aka, perfect for what? fish, corals, or lining their pockets? Numbers help alot in understanding just how honest your fish store is with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burningbaal Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 When your fish store say's "perfect" just what do they mean? aka, perfect for what? fish, corals, or lining their pockets? Numbers help alot in understanding just how honest your fish store is with you. +1 for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wopadobop Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 +1 on the damsel they are $4! Also Get a bit more Lr imo' date=' Will help with filtration and lower nitrates.[/quote'] Live rock has very little nitrate removal. The bacteria that live in the rock process ammonia > nitrite and nitrite> nitrate. The bacteria that process nitrate to nitrogen gas are found in anaerobic conditions below the first inch or so of your sand bed. If you want to lower nitrates in a 10 gallon system I would suggest running macro algae. What kind of 10 gal do you have ? Is there a back chamber you could maybe put some cheato in? be careful with damsels. yes they are cheap but can also be highly aggressive towards other fish. With a 10 gallon tank you are going to be somewhat limited as to the number of fish you can stock So choose wisely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Also, don't forget that clownfish = damsel. They may be cute damsels, but they are still damsels and territorial as all get out. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenW Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 +1 mico algae or other plants depending on your set up. Live plant help filter your water by absorbing nitrates, carbon dioxide, metals and what not. Either way don't think the fish would care with the levels you had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdude Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 Yes my tank has a overflow area. What can I toss in there to help with water quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbird Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Yes my tank has a overflow area. What can I toss in there to help with water quality? Some maco algea would help with nitrates and make free fish food (for herbivors) If you have room some carbon would also help with organics. If you are doing fish a protein skimmer would also make your life easier. It would pull the gunk out of your water and help keep it stable between water changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantaMonicaHelp Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Take a look at the thread, it'll help you control nitrates and phosphate. http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?32360-Lowest-cost-and-easiest-way-to-eliminate-green-hair-bubble-turf-and-slime-algae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 There are HUNDREDS of threads on here about reducing nitrates, your problem is a common one, and easily fixed...use the search bar and type nitrates...and start reading. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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