Nitrates

[Dromaeosaurus]

I have a new tank and my nitrates are around 5. I know that's not harmful, but I thought the live rock would tend to bring nitrates to zero. Does this just take time?

I set up my 30g w/ 10g sump/refugium about one month ago. I got about 50lbs live rock from Dr. Mac. About two weeks ago, I got the Reef Tank Tuneup from ipsf (mostly snails and little hermits). I am dosing 10ml Two Little Fishies C-Balance every day. I have been dropping in a few marine-S pellets every few days. And I have been changing 5-10 gallons water every two weeks.

There was some bleaching of the coralline algae initially, but that seems to have stabilized and in general everything seems to be doing fine.

Here are my other numbers:
SG 1.023
Phosphate 0 (salifert)
Magnesium 1140 (salifert)
Alkalinity 3.09 meq/L (salifert)
pH 8.2 (Red Sea)
Calcium 340
Nitrate 5 (salifert); 4 (API)
Ammonia 0 (API)

 

[lazibonez]

Your tank is fairly new, probably just finished cycling. It will take time for the live rock to colonize enough anaerobic bacteria that consumes nitrate. Live rock doesnt really reduce a whole lot of nitrate daily. In your situation, doing more frequent waterchanges is best, keep your bioload low, dont over feed and have plenty of flow to eliminate dead spot that can cause decaying matters from turning into nitrate. Hope this helps. GL.

 

[Awibrandy]

It takes time for the nitrates to go to zero in a new tank. Lazi, has already given you great advice. I'm just confirming his statement for reassurance.

 

[basiab]

Chaeto in the fuge will help reduce nitrates.

 

[flipit13]

+2 for the water changes it will also help with raising you mag, cal and alk levels