Need Suggestions Nitrate went up

[darkdancer333]

 

Just a little concerned about my levels rising. I have 14gal bio-cube which tomorrow will complete its second week of cycling. I have live rock an sand. Diatoms have taken over the tank . Yesterstay I purchased 2 turbo snails to help with the process. I have had 2 hermit crabs which have been doing well.

 

These guys are 1 week in the tank Today I tested my nitrate an nitrite an these were the levels I use the redsea test kit Nitrate was between 5-10 Nitrite was 0.2 Yesterday I rearranged the rock because they were to close to the filtration vents. The tank was dirty as hell lots of stuff floating around. It's clear today but the snails are just sitting in one spot.

 

The crabs are all over the place as usual. I thought the snails had died but I laid them on their side an saw movement. I hope these guys are ok..

 

Also last week I saw an ampipod but havent seen since. I saw its shell of skin floating around few days back...

 

[xiaoxiy]

What's your ammonia at?

 

It's completely normal to see nitrate increase, at least until you build up enough microbes to process it (i.e anaerobic bacteria or algae).

[darkdancer333]

What's your ammonia at?

 

It's completely normal to see nitrate increase, at least until you build up enough microbes to process it (i.e anaerobic bacteria or algae).

I haven't tested ammonia. Ive done ak, mg, ca those are all good. The owner of the Salt water store said ammonia not needed. So I never purchased test kit

 

I was concerned about the snails the haven't moved all morning

[natalia_la_loca]

 

 

Snails rest and sit around from time to time. Just keep an eye on them, they're probably fine.

 

Amphipods are like cockroaches, for every one you see, there's 100 you don't...

 

I would give those hermits a little food now and then if I were you, at least until you get some fish in there.

[xiaoxiy]

I haven't tested ammonia. Ive done ak, mg, ca those are all good. The owner of the Salt water store said ammonia not needed. So I never purchased test kit

 

I was concerned about the snails the haven't moved all morning

Honestly, I think during a cycle, ammonia test kits are more important than nitrites, especially since nitrites are nearly harmless in saltwater tanks.

 

But back to you rising nitrate issue, don't fret too much about it. Rising nitrates are a part of every cycle.

[darkdancer333]

Honestly, I think during a cycle, ammonia test kits are more important than nitrites, especially since nitrites are nearly harmless in saltwater tanks.

 

But back to you rising nitrate issue, don't fret too much about it. Rising nitrates are a part of every cycle.

Should I do a 30% water change or let it run its course

[markalot]

Water changes never hurt.

 

So how are you going to tell when all the bacteria is set up and the tank is stable enough for your first fish?

[xiaoxiy]

Should I do a 30% water change or let it run its course

A water change wouldn't hurt (Like mark wrote), but you don't have to do a water change with 5-10 nitrates.

 

I also echo Mark's concerns on how you will know when your cycle is complete without an ammonia test it.

[darkdancer333]

A water change wouldn't hurt (Like mark wrote), but you don't have to do a water change with 5-10 nitrates.

 

I also echo Mark's concerns on how you will know when your cycle is complete without an ammonia test it.

Im just going by what the owner of the coral reef store told me. I can buy ammonia kit today an test..

He said with my last test ammonia excluded I could start adding a coral or 2

I wanted to wait until the diatoms subsided.

 

Water changes never hurt.

 

So how are you going to tell when all the bacteria is set up and the tank is stable enough for your first fish?

I'll get kit today I been told wasn't needed for my tank..

Also stupid ? but how do you know when a snail is dead??

[xiaoxiy]

Im just going by what the owner of the coral reef store told me. I can buy ammonia kit today an test..

He said with my last test ammonia excluded I could start adding a coral or 2

I wanted to wait until the diatoms subsided.

 

I'll get kit today I been told wasn't needed for my tank..

Also stupid ? but how do you know when a snail is dead??

 

I'd suggest getting an el-cheapo ammonia kit just so you can verify that you have 0 ammonia.

 

You might want to wait until your nitrites also hit 0 before adding any corals and fish though.

[darkdancer333]

I'd suggest getting an el-cheapo ammonia kit just so you can verify that you have 0 ammonia.

 

You might want to wait until your nitrites also hit 0 before adding any corals and fish though.

yes I am in no hurry now I need to see what the snails do before I proceed any further

[xiaoxiy]

yes I am in no hurry now I need to see what the snails do before I proceed any further

Great! Also, be wary of LFS advice. Sometimes they give good advice, other times not so much.

[darkdancer333]

Great! Also, be wary of LFS advice. Sometimes they give good advice, other times not so much.

how you know when a snail is dead

[xiaoxiy]

how you know when a snail is dead

Take it out and smell it. If it smells awful, it's dead.

[darkdancer333]

Take it out and smell it. If it smells awful, it's dead.

KK thx

[darkdancer333]

Take it out and smell it. If it smells awful, it's dead.

Just got home they havent moved all day

Onne of the turbos is halfway open and the other is closed shut.The little round shell. The one thats open is very loose he seems dead but there is no smell

[AntiNano]

let your nitrate runs its course and it will come down to zero. Then do a large water change 50-75% then gradually add livestocs.m you do not have any corals that consumming your alk. therefore, you do not have to tst alk or cal.

[SantaMonica]

Sounds like a normal nitrate increase.