Nitrate Level

Hello All!

I've had my 30 gallon hex tank going about 3 weeks or so now. I've got about 20lbs of branchy live rock in there with 2 clown fish. I've got a 50 gallon hanging filter and a 100 gallon protien skimmer and 1 power head. All my levels are good, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, ph 8.3-8.4 but my nitrate has been consistently at 40ppm. I've already done 2 5 gallon water changes, but it stays at 40. Any ideas?

 

Classic case of someone moving too fast. Don't take it as a burn, we see it all the time here. For one, you need more live rock. Two, you shouldn't have any fish in there yet at all, let alone two clowns. If possible I recommend getting them out and returning them to your LFS for credit.

The thing with saltwater tanks that you probably don't know is that you are supposed to add the live rock and then let the tank sit and cycle for 6 to 8 weeks. No fish, no corals, nothing. Just let nature take its course. Then after that you can start adding things slowly. 1 fish a week probably, unless you're getting a pair of something, like a mated pair of clowns.

 

Oh and the high nitrates are part of the tank doing its cycle. Discontinue your water changes for now, as that will only prolong the time it takes to complete this process.

 

I would still make sure your test kit is accurate by taking a sample to the LFS.. Also, check your water source for nitrates..

 

all good advice, you are just in the nitrate part of the tank cycling. as brandon said just add more live rock and wait. IMO i would say 20 lbs or so, i belive you could use base rock to save cash ( not 100% on that, IMO live rock is the way to go):-/

 

Nitrate

Wow! Thanks for the quick responses. Actually I let the tank cycle for about a month before I added the fish or the live rock. I had live sand in there. However, I'm attempting to add a picture of my tank. I'm just not sure how much more live rock I should add. Here is a pic of the tank (I hope). I want to eventually turn this tank into my quarantine tank and upgrade to a much larger tank.

 

IMO Live Rock

What does IMO stand for....also LFS is Local Fish Store?

 

(IMO = in my opionion)
IMO about 15 lbs of more LR (live rock) would do the trick. It may be tricky for you to stack it without it falling over in you hex tank though. Make sure that you buy fully cured LR (it shouldn't stink) or else it will cause your tank to spike some ammonia and cycle again, possibly killing the clowns if the ammonia and nitrite levels are high enough, and it doesn't take much, as both ammonia and nitrite are very toxic to fish.

 

15lbs of LR is going to help you down the road but right now its not going to make a difference. It might even add to the nitrates you already have by possibly starting another small cycling process.

Sounds to me like your tank wasnt full cycled and then a water change or 2 which delayed the cycle from finishing and then the adding of fish which added more nitrates that your system isnt able to handle yet. Now to lower the nitrates you are probably thinking of doing more water changes and that just slows the developing of bacteria and the start of the anaerobic process. If you want to do it right IMHO get your fish to an established tank or back to the LFS and let your tank sit and finish its cycle. No worries that way.

Good luck and keep us posted.