Nitrates

My guess is that you kicked up a lot of junk when aggitating the sand. Make sure there is plenty of flow over your rocks. Also, if it did come from the sand, make sure you have a good CUC that will stir up the sand (turbo snails and maybe a sand sifting starfish) or others. My nitrates were elevated when I had shut off my protein skimmer, but went back down in 24 hours after I turned it back on.

 

those triggers prob will eat the harder corals idk about the softies though, ill let someone who knows more wbout them help you there. oh and we need pics

 

This had some filter pads when I got it, but I threw them out when I hooked everything up again.
When I saw the bio balls I was thinking those are bad for nitrates....I've read that so many times.
Can I just take all the bio balls out now? Will that have any impact on anything?
Thanks!

 

I would take out a 1/4 of them every day or two. I wouldn't take them all out at once.

 

Again, Bio balls are one of the most efficient forms of filtration. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them. Bio balls can not and do not create nitrate. Detritus collecting on the Bio balls or rock rubble will/can cause nitrate from the decay. Using a drip tray with filter media will prevent any accumilation of said detritus.

 

Right you are maintence is a constant thing dont forget to always be perpared to do the dirty work of the hobby to.

 

wow...this is an old thread here...

My nitrates are 0 now and have been for a while.

I did many water changes, added mangroves, and a nice refugium. They have been stuck at 0 now ....I cant get them up;D

I now only change my water once a month....along with carbon and RowaPhos....thats about it!

Well....I add Ca and Mg every week.

Fish and all corals are doing awesome...I see growth all the time on my corals.