Hello everyone

DavidJ Evans · 08-03-2005, 09:12 AM

I'm a complete novice at keeping an aquarium, having decided I needed something to do through the long winter nights (TV is too boring). I have a 240 litre tank (about 60 US gallons) which has ben running since April with 1 internal filter, 2 external filters, a skimmer and about 15kg of live rock. I have gradually stocked with 2 velvet damsels, 2 yellow tail blues, 4 green chromis, 1 clown and the latest additions are a regal tang and a cleaner shrimp. Everyone seems quite happy and they get along well - no losses so far. I do a 10% water change every week but my only problem is the nitrate level stays high - between 12 and 25 ppm. Any ideas?
I have to say I have looked at a lot of websites and this is by far the friendliest and most useful one I have come across!
Looking forward to talking with you all.
Regards from the UK
Dave

Woodstock · 08-03-2005, 10:00 AM

Welcome to Reef Sanctuary Dave!

High NitrAtes? Hummm... some will say that 12 - 25 ppm is ok for a fish only system but in my opinion, TrAtes should be kept below 10ppm. Your bioload is on the heavy side. Most recommend 5 gal of water per 1" of fish; which, in your case, equates to 12 inches of fish. You currently have approximately 24" of fish. Feeding, fish respiration, diterus, and possibly your tap water (if you use tap) all contribute to the nitrAte levels. Make sure you clean all sponge filters every couple of days and vacuum your substrate (unless you are running a DSB) very well with every water change. Also, the regal tank will get stressed in a small tank as they require lots of swimming room.

IMO, you should reduce the bioload of your tank, increase the water change percentage (maybe 20%) until they TrAtes drop below 10 ppm, use ro/di water if you do not already, and make sure all filters stay clean. Also, a good skimmer works miracles

on water quality! What type do you have?

Rougiem · 08-03-2005, 11:22 AM

to RS!

Sounds like Woodstock has you dialed in!

Cheers!

Witfull · 08-03-2005, 11:32 AM

Welcome to RS.

how much do you feed and what do you feed? leftovers and overfeeding will also boost trates up.

glad you found us, and thank you for the kind words.

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.

DavidJ Evans · 08-03-2005, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. The skimmer is a Prizm and I always use RO water. I certainly will try increasing to 20% weekly. I give them flake twice a day and it all disappears in about a minute. I also give them frozen food every other day (replacing one feed of flake). The tang seems happy enough so far but I'll keep an eye on him - is there anything special about what a tang likes to eat?

mkpaulson · 08-03-2005, 05:48 PM

Dave

Gina · 08-03-2005, 05:56 PM

and Welcome!

You can try feeding your tang some Nori, Mixed and or Algae flakes and brine shrimp.

Kacy McCure · 08-03-2005, 07:13 PM

Hello....

jimeluiz · 08-03-2005, 10:26 PM

Our RT is a pig and eats frantically. He has grown amazingly fast and we are in family counseling now to prepare for our imminent separation.

08-03-2005, 09:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
DavidJ Evans Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hello everyone I'm a complete novice at keeping an aquarium, having decided I needed something to do through the long winter nights (TV is too boring). I have a 240 litre tank (about 60 US gallons) which has ben running since April with 1 internal filter, 2 external filters, a skimmer and about 15kg of live rock. I have gradually stocked with 2 velvet damsels, 2 yellow tail blues, 4 green chromis, 1 clown and the latest additions are a regal tang and a cleaner shrimp. Everyone seems quite happy and they get along well - no losses so far. I do a 10% water change every week but my only problem is the nitrate level stays high - between 12 and 25 ppm. Any ideas? I have to say I have looked at a lot of websites and this is by far the friendliest and most useful one I have come across! Looking forward to talking with you all. Regards from the UK Dave

08-03-2005, 10:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,862 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Welcome to Reef Sanctuary Dave! High NitrAtes? Hummm... some will say that 12 - 25 ppm is ok for a fish only system but in my opinion, TrAtes should be kept below 10ppm. Your bioload is on the heavy side. Most recommend 5 gal of water per 1" of fish; which, in your case, equates to 12 inches of fish. You currently have approximately 24" of fish. Feeding, fish respiration, diterus, and possibly your tap water (if you use tap) all contribute to the nitrAte levels. Make sure you clean all sponge filters every couple of days and vacuum your substrate (unless you are running a DSB) very well with every water change. Also, the regal tank will get stressed in a small tank as they require lots of swimming room. IMO, you should reduce the bioload of your tank, increase the water change percentage (maybe 20%) until they TrAtes drop below 10 ppm, use ro/di water if you do not already, and make sure all filters stay clean. Also, a good skimmer works miracles on water quality! What type do you have? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

08-03-2005, 11:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,898 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	to RS! Sounds like Woodstock has you dialed in! Cheers! __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress

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!

08-03-2005, 05:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
mkpaulson Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: port republic,va Posts: 750 View Gallery Karma Komment	Dave __________________ Mark

08-03-2005, 04:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
DavidJ Evans Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the comments guys. The skimmer is a Prizm and I always use RO water. I certainly will try increasing to 20% weekly. I give them flake twice a day and it all disappears in about a minute. I also give them frozen food every other day (replacing one feed of flake). The tang seems happy enough so far but I'll keep an eye on him - is there anything special about what a tang likes to eat?

08-03-2005, 05:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,823 View Gallery Karma Komment	and Welcome! You can try feeding your tang some Nori, Mixed and or Algae flakes and brine shrimp. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

08-03-2005, 07:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kacy McCure Midas Blenny Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 89 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hello.... __________________ Is that a coral in your pocket, or are you just happy to see a fish tank?

08-03-2005, 10:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Our RT is a pig and eats frantically. He has grown amazingly fast and we are in family counseling now to prepare for our imminent separation. __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)