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Cougra · 08-03-2005, 12:22 PM

Welcome to RS. I agree that 25ppm isn't too bad for a fish only system, however since you added the shrimp you'll need to get them down since inverts seem to be more suseptable to the higher nitrates then fish are. If you are having trouble keeping them down the simplest solution is to do larger water changes try 15-20%. However before you do make sure that the water you use to mix the salt in doesn't have a high nitrate level to begin with. As mentioned make sure you clean the tank really well during each water change.

Another thing you can do to help with the nitrate readings is to get some more live rock. Although you wont be able to run the system with just live rock because you have a high bio-load more it'll still help reduce the nitrates in the tank. Canistor filters are good for biological filtration but they will only take ammonia to nitrite to nitrate and no further whilst live rock can take it one step further and take nitrates to nitrogen gas.

I also agree that the Regal tang will require a lot of swimming room and is easily stressed (whih leads to poor health and death) in your tank with so many other fish.

08-03-2005, 12:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome to RS. I agree that 25ppm isn't too bad for a fish only system, however since you added the shrimp you'll need to get them down since inverts seem to be more suseptable to the higher nitrates then fish are. If you are having trouble keeping them down the simplest solution is to do larger water changes try 15-20%. However before you do make sure that the water you use to mix the salt in doesn't have a high nitrate level to begin with. As mentioned make sure you clean the tank really well during each water change. Another thing you can do to help with the nitrate readings is to get some more live rock. Although you wont be able to run the system with just live rock because you have a high bio-load more it'll still help reduce the nitrates in the tank. Canistor filters are good for biological filtration but they will only take ammonia to nitrite to nitrate and no further whilst live rock can take it one step further and take nitrates to nitrogen gas. I also agree that the Regal tang will require a lot of swimming room and is easily stressed (whih leads to poor health and death) in your tank with so many other fish. __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!