Michfish77
01/14/2015, 05:43 PM
Hello everyone,
My tank has been up and running since July 4, 2014. My tank completed its initial cycle however now I am having an issue from what i believe are diatoms (rust colored algae on the sand bed, glass and rocks).
I have a notion this could possibly be from a couple different things,
- new tank (silicates)
- high nitrates
- My RODI is reading 0.01ppm (for some reason the water in my ATO reservoir is showing 0.04ppm and i honestly do not know why)
I tried the "3 day blackout" method and it worked, however as i feared, didn't last. I have been reading up about vodka(carbon) dosing to reduce nitrates but i want to do my full research before actually starting it.
Should i hold off until at least the "1 year mark" before i try vodka dosing?..
Is it normal for my nitrates to be this high?
Should i just try doing a couple 40-50% water changes instead?
I'm trying to get a handle on this before it gets any worse.
Tank started July 4 2014
1-1.5" sandbed
200lbs of live rock (roughly)
Chaeto in the sump
BRS GFO reactor (single unit)
Biweekly 20% water changes
Tank Parameters
Ammonia = 0 (API test kit)
Nitrite = unsure as i need to still purchase this test kit
Nitrate = 20-30ppm (API test kit)
PH = 7.9 - 8.29
Alk =7.8
Ca = 425
Mag = 1420
Phosphate = untraceable (Hanna Checker)
Salinity - 1.026
Current livestock: Yellow Tang, One Spot Foxface, mated pair of clowns, mated pair of Bangaii Cardinalfish, bonded pair of Royal Gramma, Bicolor Blenny, Pincushion Urchin, assortment of snails (cuc).
Feedings: 1 cube of mysis(rinsed) daily, New Life Spectrum pellets daily
Any advice/help would be extremely appreciated.
Thanks
Marc
My tank has been up and running since July 4, 2014. My tank completed its initial cycle however now I am having an issue from what i believe are diatoms (rust colored algae on the sand bed, glass and rocks).
I have a notion this could possibly be from a couple different things,
- new tank (silicates)
- high nitrates
- My RODI is reading 0.01ppm (for some reason the water in my ATO reservoir is showing 0.04ppm and i honestly do not know why)
I tried the "3 day blackout" method and it worked, however as i feared, didn't last. I have been reading up about vodka(carbon) dosing to reduce nitrates but i want to do my full research before actually starting it.
Should i hold off until at least the "1 year mark" before i try vodka dosing?..
Is it normal for my nitrates to be this high?
Should i just try doing a couple 40-50% water changes instead?
I'm trying to get a handle on this before it gets any worse.
Tank started July 4 2014
1-1.5" sandbed
200lbs of live rock (roughly)
Chaeto in the sump
BRS GFO reactor (single unit)
Biweekly 20% water changes
Tank Parameters
Ammonia = 0 (API test kit)
Nitrite = unsure as i need to still purchase this test kit
Nitrate = 20-30ppm (API test kit)
PH = 7.9 - 8.29
Alk =7.8
Ca = 425
Mag = 1420
Phosphate = untraceable (Hanna Checker)
Salinity - 1.026
Current livestock: Yellow Tang, One Spot Foxface, mated pair of clowns, mated pair of Bangaii Cardinalfish, bonded pair of Royal Gramma, Bicolor Blenny, Pincushion Urchin, assortment of snails (cuc).
Feedings: 1 cube of mysis(rinsed) daily, New Life Spectrum pellets daily
Any advice/help would be extremely appreciated.
Thanks
Marc