Need help bad!!

gmccntryboy · 02-12-2006, 10:12 AM

I'm new to 3reef and also new to the marine world. I have a problem with my 36 gallon tank. First off it's a little over 6 months old with 1 yellow tang, 1 flame angel, 4 green chromis, and a cleaner shrimp. the problem i have is here resently my nitrates are higher than normal. I have had all my fish in the tank for at least 4 months but just recently had a problem with the nitrates, every thing else is at zero, ph is about 8.0- 8.2 range. i have 4 inches of live sand, but no live rock yet, just artificial. i have never had this problem until recently, the only thing added was a heater because of the cold weather. I have done water canges but no success. Any ideas?

msk454 · 02-12-2006, 10:26 AM

i would start to add some live rock to your tank. and a skimmer too. if you don't have one yet. i think that will help a lot.

Reef Lover · 02-12-2006, 10:32 AM

Yes, get a skimmer it will reduce dissolved organics, and help a lot

gmccntryboy · 02-12-2006, 10:39 AM

Sorry I didn't mention that, i do have a skimmer, it collects muck and gets cleaned out all the time ( once a week ).

gmccntryboy · 02-12-2006, 10:40 AM

As far as live rock how much, and what kind do you recommed?

msk454 · 02-12-2006, 10:43 AM

clean all your filter pads too , i clean mine all the time. don't over feed your fish. i feed 3 time a week and all my fish are fat.

gmccntryboy · 02-12-2006, 10:58 AM

maybe thats the problem I feed my fish a little, but i feed every day do you think thats to much? All my other readings are fine i just cant seem to get my nitrates down. What do you think about the live rock, there seems to be all sorts of diffrent live rock out there.

gmccntryboy · 02-12-2006, 11:00 AM

one more thing do you clean your filter pads in the sump, or replace them. I have been replacing mine with new, when i change water once a month

repto · 02-12-2006, 11:30 AM

IMO, keep all sponges and filterpads clean at all times. As far as live rock, anything cured should do well. Another natural way of denitrification would be to add a DSB/refugium to the sump. BTW, are you using any kind of wet/dry media??? As for feeding, most marine fish have a very slow, well developed metabolizm and can remain quite hardy/healthy with feeding small amounts daily to every other day. What is your regimine, now?

Jason

msk454 · 02-12-2006, 11:38 AM

if your going to add live rock i would add 1 1/2 up to 2 pounds per gallons of water in you tank.but you don't have to do this at one time. just add rock when you can.