Nitrates/Nitrites

[salth20newbie]

Hey guys...
yet another Q!
I need to get my Nitrates and Nitrites down...I purchased a Protein Skimmer today should that do the trick? No fish yet...almost there!

[IslandCrow]

It sounds like you have some other posts which no doubt have some more background info on your tank, but the simple answer is that the protein skimmer will help, but whether or not it does "the trick" depends on many other factors. If your tank is still cycling (which it sounds like it is), the nitrites and nitrates are very normal. The quality of the protein skimmer is going to play a big role in how effectively it reduces your nitrates. Regular water changes will also be helpful.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

+1 Agreed if the tank is still Cycling there going to be high until you have an established bacteria col to eat up the waste. Once the nitrogen cycle gets going the skimmer will help export some of the excess waste.

[Pufferpunk]

If you see any nitrite at all, your tank is not cycled or something is dead in there.

[salth20newbie]

Good to know, I have a lot of crabs, so nothing is dead in there, I was thinking maybe the nitrates/nitrites were because of the crabs? they have been in my tank for at least 3 weeks and my tank has been cycling for at least 6 weeks. The crabs are thriving and doing great!

[Pufferpunk]

I repeat: If you see any nitrite at all, your tank is not cycled.
Please don't add any more livestock until you sustain 0ammonia, 0 nitrite.

[salth20newbie]

Ammonia is at 0, nitrate is the only thing that is high. I had my water tested at LFS and everything is great but nitrates...im doing my best

[sedor]

Nitrates are a struggle to get down until you employ some sort of system to specifically deal with them. Skimmers help by removing the organic waste before they can become nitrate but generally something more is needed. You have a few options, dose a carbon source, set up a refugium, underfeed and do a ton of water changes, or run the new bio-pellets.

[Pufferpunk]

I'm confused...
nitrate is the only thing that is high.
I need to get my Nitrates and Nitrites down...
Please post the exact parameters.

[salth20newbie]

Im having a tough time figuring out the protein skimmer...the LFS told me to buy the Oceanic Bio Cube Protein Skimmer and I had no idea what it was I was buying ...got home put it together and realized that there is a tank made for these skimmers..which is not the tank i have so I tried to rig it up to fit mine and i have no clue if its working properly. There is water gathering in the collection cup at the top where the foam is gathering as well and i am not sure that is supposed to happen (the water filling up in that area). ideas?

[salth20newbie]

I don't have ammonia test yet (recommendations?) LFS says:
"Ammonia 0, Nitrates >50, pH good, don't have refractors at LFS"

My tests (Red Sea color codes):
pH 8.0-8.1
NO2: >1p.p.m
S.G 1.023
Temp 76
Alkalinity: "Normal 1.7-2.8" that is the type of test I have

I did my first water change (2 gal.)this morning and plan to do another one tomorrow afternoon once my water has had time to dissolve the salt.

[usctrack]

Salth20newbie - where are you located? Im in birmingham and maybe can help with the tests and skimmer.

The skimmer needs to be adjusted so the bubbles are just in the neck and carrying the protein to the top. keep a couple inches from the top of the water level to the top of the neck.

[Pufferpunk]

How big is your tank? How do you tell the nitrite is <1? What are you using to dissolve the salt?

[Absentmind8868]

Do you have any live rock in there? lr + over rated skimmer usually keeps nitrates in check. I would also put some macro algae in your sump (if you have one) and what is this "Normal 1.7-2.8" thing for your alk? I assure you that that is not normal based on my knowledge.

[salth20newbie]

This is what it looks like now and i have a strong feeling its not set up right...

[salth20newbie]

Yes I do have LR

[Absentmind8868]

How big is your tank, and what model is your protein skimmer and how many pounds of live rock do you have? I also notice a hang on the back filter? That is usually more harm than its worth because of all the excess nitrates it creates.

[salth20newbie]

Well I have a Red Sea testing kit that uses drops and color coded cards...that is what the card says for ALK. I use a separate bucket and mix salt and water and let it sit for at least a day/stirring to make sure salt is dissolved; using hyrdometer to make sure mixture is same as tank water. And reading for NO2 was >1ppm not <1. That was also measure using Red Sea drops-color test

[salth20newbie]

20 gal tank, Oceanic Bio Cube Protein Skimmer 14/29 size (which i dont have the tank that fits this piece...LFS sold it to me I had no idea that there was special tank to fit this piece) Not sure how many pounds of LR that I have but I know that I have 2 "medium" and 2 "small" LR (Fiji) that came from LFS

[Pufferpunk]

So you do have nitrite then. You really need 1-2lbs LR/gal for your tank.

[Absentmind8868]

From what I see in your tank, I would add some base rock in there (it will eventually become live rock.) I would also get a better skimmer; there is no such thing as too much skimming. I myself run a coralife 220 on a 75 gallon tank. Putting in base rock will take a little longer of time, but it wont break the bank like live rock will.

[salth20newbie]

I just bought the skimmer today! :(

[salth20newbie]

Yes, I definitely have Nitrate/Nitrite in my tank..that is the problem and reason why I dont have fish. I have at least 2 lbs of LR in the tank now.

[salth20newbie]

oh.....1-2 lb per gal....hum.... I am not sure how to stack the rocks in my tank I probably have 10 lbs of LR (rough guessing) Guess thats another thing on my list of things to research

[Absentmind8868]

I can assure you that there is not enough rock in your tank especially if your doing a coral tank. Can you return the skimmer?

[salth20newbie]

Yes Im sure I could return the skimmer, I will take it out of my tank now and let it dry out...i cant figure out how to work it anyway!
I am not looking into getting corals- this is my first salt water tank and I would like to just do fish and inverts until I figure out the ins and outs salt water tanks.

[Absentmind8868]

I would definitly buy a better skimmer. Chances are your going to upgrade your tank (we all do) and the better skimmer can work in your new tank.