PermaNoob
12/30/2008, 10:25 AM
Tank = bc14g with 12lb sand and 15lb live rock. Carbon filter still in but bioballs replaced with live rock rubble. All sand, water and rock from an established tank.
Was looking for a small mini cycle since everything came from a 700g established system. So immediately added 3 super small zoas (1/2 dollar size) and clean up crew of about 10 snails, a brittle star, peppermint shrimp and cleaner shrimp.
Paramters are like this (all salifert and sg = refractometer but not calibrated).
week ago:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 1.0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 0
Sg = 1.027
3 days ago:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 100
Sg =
2 days ago:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 100
Sg = 1.026
~ Approx. 30% water change using commercial premixed water.
Yesterday:
Peppermint shrimp dies - acts very erratic then keels over then gets eaten by brittle. At night I take out the carcass (see invert thread for more info - not sure of cause of death).
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 100
Sg = 1.028
Today:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = .1
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = just under 100, maybe 95 or 90
Sg = 1.028
Tank has good flow with mj900.
Yes, I realize I may have gone too quick with the CUC and zoas, but now what?
I just can't seem to lower the nitrates. Any ideas, PLEASE?
Was looking for a small mini cycle since everything came from a 700g established system. So immediately added 3 super small zoas (1/2 dollar size) and clean up crew of about 10 snails, a brittle star, peppermint shrimp and cleaner shrimp.
Paramters are like this (all salifert and sg = refractometer but not calibrated).
week ago:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 1.0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 0
Sg = 1.027
3 days ago:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 100
Sg =
2 days ago:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 100
Sg = 1.026
~ Approx. 30% water change using commercial premixed water.
Yesterday:
Peppermint shrimp dies - acts very erratic then keels over then gets eaten by brittle. At night I take out the carcass (see invert thread for more info - not sure of cause of death).
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = 100
Sg = 1.028
Today:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = .1
PH = 8.2
Nitrates = just under 100, maybe 95 or 90
Sg = 1.028
Tank has good flow with mj900.
Yes, I realize I may have gone too quick with the CUC and zoas, but now what?
I just can't seem to lower the nitrates. Any ideas, PLEASE?