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Discussion in 'Say Hello!' started by Frogfish, Feb 5, 2011.

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  1. Frogfish

    Frogfish Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2011
    Messages:
    28
    Hello, I am FrogFish.

    I am a total noob to the salt water hobby.

    About 3-4 weeks ago I started a 150 gallon tank with lots of live rock in it, so I can eventually have a reef tank. Last week my water tested good so I added my first life to the tank. I added 10 under the sand snails, 10 of the snails that have to go up for air every now and then, and 25 red leg hermit crabs.

    Three days ago I tested the water again, and the Nitrates were up to ~40ppms. I am freaking out right now!:confused:

    So I came here for some help, and knowledge so I do not kill anything now or in the future.

    That is my story and I am sticking to it!:)

    Frog...
     
    Frogfish, Feb 5, 2011
    Frogfish, Feb 5, 2011
    #1

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  2. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,462
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Welcome Frogfish.

    When you say that your water tested good, what does that mean exactly? You could still be cycling. Are you doing any feeding?
     
    SAY, Feb 5, 2011
    SAY, Feb 5, 2011
    #2
  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Hello and welcome to to 3 reef,


    Frog not unusual after a cycle to have that elevated nitrates. A larger water change is in order. I would not be too concerned as long as you get the nitrates down to 10-20.

    Congats on the new tank.
     
    Corailline, Feb 5, 2011
    Corailline, Feb 5, 2011
    #3
  4. nicodim55

    nicodim55 Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2010
    Messages:
    358
    Location:
    SOCAL
    welcome
     
    nicodim55, Feb 5, 2011
    nicodim55, Feb 5, 2011
    #4
  5. smackrock

    smackrock Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2009
    Messages:
    361
    Location:
    Monroe, CT
    Welcome Frogfish!

    I wouldn't be too concern. I'm sure your snails and hermits can take 40ppm, although that is a bit high. What are your nitrites and ammonia at? Those are the ones to be concerned about more so. 4 Weeks is usually enough time to cycle.

    My guess is you had a lot of die off on your live rock which would have spiked the tank and now you are dealing with the after effects of high nitrates. Like Corailline said, if you do a water change it will bring them down.

    There are other more expensive but also more automated methods of keeping nitrates in check (Nitrate coils) as well but since you're starting out it's probably not necessary yet.

    Just for a safe measure, I'd also test the water you're using before you put it into the tank. Are you using RO/DI water or filtered tap? Any type of tap water even treated can have nitrates in there, albeit most likely not 40ppm worth.
     
    smackrock, Feb 5, 2011
    smackrock, Feb 5, 2011
    #5
  6. 4phish

    4phish Montipora Digitata

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2009
    Messages:
    1,055
    Location:
    Northern Ky
    Welcome! Go slow and let it grow.
     
    4phish, Feb 5, 2011
    4phish, Feb 5, 2011
    #6

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  7. homegrowncorals

    homegrowncorals Ribbon Eel

    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Messages:
    2,434
    Location:
    north carolina..obx
    Hello and welcome to 3reef
     
    homegrowncorals, Feb 5, 2011
    homegrowncorals, Feb 5, 2011
    #7
  8. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    Messages:
    11,284
    Location:
    shenzhen Guangdong PRC
    Welcome to 3 reef Frogfish
     
    steve wright, Feb 5, 2011
    steve wright, Feb 5, 2011
    #8
  9. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2009
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Sparks, NV
    Welcome to 3reef
     
    2in10, Feb 5, 2011
    2in10, Feb 5, 2011
    #9
  10. wfb2270

    wfb2270 Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
    Messages:
    728
    Location:
    VA
    i agree with smackrock and the die off. nothing to loose sleep over (yet :) ). a few water changes should help. if it still contiues to climb start digging a little deeper
     
    wfb2270, Feb 5, 2011
    wfb2270, Feb 5, 2011
    #10
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