High Nitrate level in a new tank

thebradybunch · 12/16/2007, 12:45 PM

I have A 72G bowfront. I set it up last Sunday. Tank has been running for 1 week with some older (dead) live rock I am using as a base. Yesterday I added 5 lbs of LR just to get my cycle started. I also added 4 small Damsels. The levels in the tank have been solid all week. Today when I tested the water my Nitrate has went up as I would expect it to but it is around 110 ppm which I know is way too high. Should I be real concerned and what can I do about it?

Boomer · 12/16/2007, 01:17 PM

If it is a fish only tank then no really but I would try to get them down anyway with a 50 % water change @ the same temp, pH and Salinity.

thebradybunch · 12/16/2007, 01:29 PM

I had thought about doing a water change but I just started my cycle and everything I read said not to do water changes during a cycle. I just put the fish in yesterday and I am wondering if the nitrates will come down on their own in a couple days. I know there was too much food put in yesterday would that effect it or does it have to add up over time to effect it

ricklee · 12/16/2007, 07:18 PM

A week isn't near long enough you need to cycle for at least a month, should have a 100 lbs or so of live rock also.

Billybeau1 · 12/17/2007, 06:18 PM

My nitrates in my FO have been as high as 160 ppm and my fish are happy and healthy.

I would slow down a bit and let your biological filtration build up before adding or changing anything.

4 to 6 weeks is a normal amount of time to develop the amount the amount of filtration you'll need to handle your tank.

Going too fast is a recipe for disaster and damsels are living creatures and should not be used to kick start a tank. You would serve yourself just as well by adding a few pieces of dead shrimp in the tank.

thebradybunch · 12/17/2007, 07:46 PM

Thanks for all the help and advice.

12/16/2007, 12:45 PM	#1
thebradybunch Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 351	High Nitrate level in a new tank I have A 72G bowfront. I set it up last Sunday. Tank has been running for 1 week with some older (dead) live rock I am using as a base. Yesterday I added 5 lbs of LR just to get my cycle started. I also added 4 small Damsels. The levels in the tank have been solid all week. Today when I tested the water my Nitrate has went up as I would expect it to but it is around 110 ppm which I know is way too high. Should I be real concerned and what can I do about it?

12/16/2007, 01:17 PM	#2
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	If it is a fish only tank then no really but I would try to get them down anyway with a 50 % water change @ the same temp, pH and Salinity. __________________ If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up Seawater Chemistry, Geology, ID Marine Life, Collecting Science Books, Explosives Technology, Audiophile An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

12/16/2007, 01:29 PM	#3
thebradybunch Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 351	I had thought about doing a water change but I just started my cycle and everything I read said not to do water changes during a cycle. I just put the fish in yesterday and I am wondering if the nitrates will come down on their own in a couple days. I know there was too much food put in yesterday would that effect it or does it have to add up over time to effect it

12/16/2007, 07:18 PM	#4
ricklee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 116	A week isn't near long enough you need to cycle for at least a month, should have a 100 lbs or so of live rock also.

12/17/2007, 06:18 PM	#5
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	My nitrates in my FO have been as high as 160 ppm and my fish are happy and healthy. I would slow down a bit and let your biological filtration build up before adding or changing anything. 4 to 6 weeks is a normal amount of time to develop the amount the amount of filtration you'll need to handle your tank. Going too fast is a recipe for disaster and damsels are living creatures and should not be used to kick start a tank. You would serve yourself just as well by adding a few pieces of dead shrimp in the tank.

12/17/2007, 07:46 PM	#6
thebradybunch Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 351	Thanks for all the help and advice.