MLS_Reef Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 OK i have been cycling for well over a month. the nitrite spike is non evident. My nitrates will not zero out, and this is the first time i have ever had this problem. I'm down to 10 ppm but it required water changes. My cycle was from dirty live rock and live sand in a tank that had been drained and left to sit for a few weeks. so i expected a weird cycle and alot of nitrates.. How do you handle weird cycles and extended cycle times? Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Your nitrATE won't zero out? As long as your ammonia and nitrite are 0, and nitrates are low you can add fish. NitrATE is not as toxic to corals and fish. In fact, my tank is constantly 5ppm no matter what, and thats where I like to keep it. Some people like to run low nutrient tanks, but I find my corals hated that (probably has some thing to do with the balance between alk and nutrients) Link to comment
MLS_Reef Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 Yeah, I have never cycled where the no3 does not zero out, i am wondering if this is going to be problematic later on when i add fish.. Link to comment
dandelion Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Only way to get nitrate out would either be with macroalgae or mangroves, or with anaerobic bacteria in a deep sand bed really deep in your live rock. I would just dose another dose of ammonia and make sure it all gets converted to nitrate within 24 hours. Then do a big water change to get rid of the nitrate and you'll be good to go. Link to comment
Simulated Fish Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Yeah, I have never cycled where the no3 does not zero out, i am wondering if this is going to be problematic later on when i add fish.. If your tank is processing ammonia>nitrite> nitrate withing 24 then you are good to go. My Biocube and my buddies tanks never have less then 5-10ppm nitrates and never will. It is finial step in the cycle and why we do WC, excluding DSP and other "outside the normal" filtration methods. Fill that tank! Link to comment
MLS_Reef Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 Only way to get nitrate out would either be with macroalgae or mangroves, or with anaerobic bacteria in a deep sand bed really deep in your live rock. I would just dose another dose of ammonia and make sure it all gets converted to nitrate within 24 hours. Then do a big water change to get rid of the nitrate and you'll be good to go. Ok I have never done anything this small before.. my smallest system has been 40 gallons and it seems as if macro algae would have to be as big as my tank to process the nitrate. (its a ten gallon fusion) If your tank is processing ammonia>nitrite> nitrate withing 24 then you are good to go. My Biocube and my buddies tanks never have less then 5-10ppm nitrates and never will. It is finial step in the cycle and why we do WC, excluding DSP and other "outside the normal" filtration methods. Fill that tank! Ok I was really wondering about this... really in a system like this the water change is or can override your no3 contribution.. Link to comment
dandelion Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 I did a small experiment before. My 10 gallon QT's nitrate was through the roof, like 120+. I tossed in a ball of chaeto and just put a regular cool white CFL bulb on top. In less than a week it dropped to 0. Ok I have never done anything this small before.. my smallest system has been 40 gallons and it seems as if macro algae would have to be as big as my tank to process the nitrate. (its a ten gallon fusion) Link to comment
Simulated Fish Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Ok I have never done anything this small before.. my smallest system has been 40 gallons and it seems as if macro algae would have to be as big as my tank to process the nitrate. (its a ten gallon fusion) Ok I was really wondering about this... really in a system like this the water change is or can override your no3 contribution.. A small amount of the right macro can do wonders,but yes weekly WC will be the best way for you to manage nitrates. Link to comment
JavaJacketOC Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 100% water change and BOOM, done. Link to comment
MLS_Reef Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 100% water change and BOOM, done. Then thats what i am coming to understand.. Link to comment
Admonition Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 What is you nitrite reading? If it's too high it can stall out the process (happened to me). I second a water change, then test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and let us know the numbers. Link to comment
G L Shane Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 Those Nitrates won't harm your livestock. But it might grow nuisance algae. It is removed by the following methods:1. Water change. My least favorite but most people's #1. 2. Refugium / Feed it to weeds - add Chaeto or other plants/algae that will turn it into plant mass. 3. Feed it to bacteria. Typically liquid nitrate remover or Biopellets in a reactor. You will need a skimmer for this. 3 B. Deep Sand Bed or Nitrate Reactor that creates and feeds anaerobic zones for the bacteria. Link to comment
cruiZe Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 yep - sounds normal to me. Nitrates will not disappear on their own, mine are consumed by chaeto. You're ready for some frags! Link to comment
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