kevinpratt823
Non-member
Have you been running a skimmer?
Did your tests show nitrite in there also?
Did your tests show nitrite in there also?
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My nitrates are to high thanks to Worcester Water!
- Thread starter Royalty
- Start date
OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
I got the skimmer but no pumpto get it going . to tell you the truth I dont even no how to run it I bought it for $20 from Nick out in NH great guy but I never ask him how to use it? its a berlin triple pass can handle 125-225 gallons thats all I know.
kevinpratt823
Non-member
Curing rock with no skimmer will give you massive ammounts of nitrates, I can only imagine what they were at before the water change.
As far as nitrate levels, it depends who you ask. IME, SPS prefer zero, but some have done ok in my first tank with mostly LPS, which ran between 20-40ppm. LPS can handle that ok, and Zoas maybe even more, but Ideally under 10-20ppm.
As far as nitrate levels, it depends who you ask. IME, SPS prefer zero, but some have done ok in my first tank with mostly LPS, which ran between 20-40ppm. LPS can handle that ok, and Zoas maybe even more, but Ideally under 10-20ppm.
OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
Ok so now my next question. What size pump should I get for my 72 gallon tank that would work with my berlin skimmer? I need this info so I could get everything up and running ?
kevinpratt823
Non-member
I'm sure you can find out the reccomended pump somewhere on the internet, sounds like you've got some homework to do.
I have the same skimmer pm me and I will tell you everything I can about it.
jayman10134
Non-member
His ammonia and nitrites were zero.
OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
Actually My nitrites are my only problem everything else is where they need to be but I'm at 160 for my nitrites levels. there going down but not by much.
.......water change
OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
I know but the funny thing is the ratings I got was after I just did my water change?
jayman10134
Non-member
I was the one that tested your water. You had zero ammo and nitrites. You did have 160 nitrates.
Also, bring in your tap water you are using so we can test for nitrates in it. I will be there Saturday and Sunday.
Rone
Non-member
+1 on that.
OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
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OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
I went Wal mart but noone knew where i could get RO water?
STiTCH87
Saltwater OCD Victim
They don't have it at Wal*Mart.
RO water you can buy at any (most) local fish stores for 50 cents a gallon.
Or if you want to buy an RO/DI unit, they sell them online if you look around (we have a few sponsors on here who sell them) or they have them at Home Depot and Lowes. Average is $100-$200 for your basic unit.
RO water you can buy at any (most) local fish stores for 50 cents a gallon.
Or if you want to buy an RO/DI unit, they sell them online if you look around (we have a few sponsors on here who sell them) or they have them at Home Depot and Lowes. Average is $100-$200 for your basic unit.
OP
OP
Royalty
Reefer In Training
I work at lowe ! how can I be sure Im getting the right one? what should I be looking for?
STiTCH87
Saltwater OCD Victim
Well the ones at Lowes aren't really good enough for a reef tank.
But this one is good: http://www.airwaterice.com/product/...PD-with-DI-Bypass-Assembly-and-TDS-Meter.html
It will do it's job well enough. Though keep in mind the more expensive ones are better.
Look in the F/S section on here. people are selling RO/DI units all the time. Or post in the WTB section for one.
But this one is good: http://www.airwaterice.com/product/...PD-with-DI-Bypass-Assembly-and-TDS-Meter.html
It will do it's job well enough. Though keep in mind the more expensive ones are better.
Look in the F/S section on here. people are selling RO/DI units all the time. Or post in the WTB section for one.
kevinpratt823
Non-member
I'd be willing to bet your nitrates were over 300 before the water change, based on the info so far. I will say it again, the water you used did NOT cause the nitrates. They were already there, probably twice as bad, and it is from the rock die off/curing, and was so prominent because you had no skimmer to pull out the decomposing organics, so it all ended up being converted FROM amonia, THEN nitrite, and FINALLY........NITRATE. Jay said you had no ammonia or nitrite, so the bio cycle is mostly complete.Was this the first water change you've done since starting the tank, or have you done some along the way?
Either way, don't get concerned. Buy some test strips, test the water, then do a BIG water change, trying not to disturb the sand/rock, then test it again. Repeat this until your nitrates are down to almost nothing if possible. And do whatever you can to get that skimmer going. Good Luck, and we can talk more about it this weekend if you come to get your free frag(provided your tank is ready)
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