I JUST DONT GET IT.

[mcox3]

----SCENARIO----
Tank: 210G

Temp: 84F

Stock: (1) 5" PBASS, (1) 7" PBASS, (2) 8" PBASS, (2) 4" Featherfins, (1) 4" Hifin Pleco.

Filteration: 30g Wet/dry (150 scrubbies) @ 5.7/Hr, Cascade 1500, Cascade 700, Fluval 305, Lg sponge filter.

Water changes: 50% weekly

Feeding: 2-3 Medium shrimp daily

----PROBLEM----

I test my water before every water change. Every test shows > 80ppm for Nitrates. This makes me angry.

----PLAN----

A. I'm planning on stuffing the inside of the overflow boxes with scrubbies. This should help add to the amount of Biological bacteria in the tank.

B. If this doesnt help, I have another 30g that I could use as a second wet/dry and add another 5.7/Hr w/150 more scrubbies. IF the overflow boxes will support that amount of flow.

C. Change water more frequently.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-DO YOU SEE ANY PROBLEM AREAS?
-ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY?
-DO I NOT HAVE ENOUGH FILTRATION?

PLEASE HELP.

P.S. If I was rich, plan B would already be in place

 

[rmorse]

What is the water you are using testing? I couldn't get the nitrates down below 20 ppm in my nanoreef, then realized its b/c the water I was using was already 20 ppm.

 

[CichlidAddict]

Yeah, test the water out of your tap.

Adding more bio-media won't affect nitrates at all. It will simply allow more room for bacteria to grow that convert nitrites into nitrates.
To lower nitrates either:
a) feed less (probably not an option here)
2) gravel vac and clean mechanical filtration more frequently (less gunk that will get converted to nitrates)
3) more frequent water changes (assuming your tap water has less nitrates than your tank water)

 

[mcox3]

What is the water you are using testing? I couldn't get the nitrates down below 20 ppm in my nanoreef, then realized its b/c the water I was using was already 20 ppm.

I use tap water and it just tested @ 0ppm

Yeah, test the water out of your tap.

Adding more bio-media won't affect nitrates at all. It will simply allow more room for bacteria to grow that convert nitrites into nitrates.
To lower nitrates either:
a) feed less (probably not an option here)
2) gravel vac and clean mechanical filtration more frequently (less gunk that will get converted to nitrates)
3) more frequent water changes (assuming your tap water has less nitrates than your tank water)

So, If I have 0 Nitrites then my filteration is adequate, correct?

 

[rmorse]

Check for any carcass's, and do a really really thorough cleaning.

 

[mcox3]

Check for any carcass's, and do a really really thorough cleaning.

Everyone is accounted for.

And its a bare bottom tank so syphoning terds is easy.

Theres no way I'm over stocked- Right?

I guess I'm just going to have to double my water change schedule.

 

[rmorse]

I dunno, Peacocks can put off alot of waste.


However, I don't think you are OS.



Another option: Test with a different test kit.

 

[mcox3]

I dunno, Peacocks can put off alot of waste.


However, I don't think you are OS.



Another option: Test with a different test kit.

Good Idea.

Any other out-of-the-box ideas?

Should I invest in a bunch of low-light plants?

btw Nitrites are 0ppm

 

[rmorse]

Good Idea.

Any other out-of-the-box ideas?

Should I invest in a bunch of low-light plants?

btw Nitrites are 0ppm

That is an option...Throw in something fast growing, like Java's or wisteria, or anacharis. Or something slow growing, and hardy, like anubias.

 

[Tommydeal]

So, If I have 0 Nitrites then my filteration is adequate, correct?

0 Nitrite and 0 Ammonia at all times means your filtration is adequate. If the Nitrates are too high it almost always means more waterchanges and/or less feeding. Cleaning your mechanical media more frequently, as suggested, might help also. You probably have to do a major waterchange (~75%) to begin reducing the Nitrates and then increase the frequency of your regular w/c. If all else fails, make yourself a denitrator. Many people here have used those successfully.