Nitrates-removing and cause

[Jason McKenzie]

Originally Posted by lunatik_69

I didnt know you were skimmerless I would definately get it in again. That may just be your problem. Take out the wheel, install the skimmer for now and see. Leave changing out the CC to sand for later. Your skimmer is rated for what size tank. Remember you have to include your DT and a sump or whatever you have. Total system gals. Luna

Yes I would agree. The scariest job will be the CC. I'd even deal with higher NO3 before I would remove the CC. A lot of filtration is in it. And over the years there will also be a lot of ammonia and Nitrite lurking in the CC. Removal might not be the best option

J


BTW. Thanks I didn't realize I was near 4000 posts. This will do it

[Bogie]

How do you have a leopard wrass with crushed coral substrate? They like to bury themselves in the sand at night (or when threatened). How long have you had the leopard wrasse? If you haven't had it very long, and he isn't already accustomed to not having a sandbed to dive into, then definitely at least add a good amount of sand somewhere for your wrasse. They really do need 2-3" of sandbed, especially deeper as they get bigger. I agree with Jason, though that changing substrate isn't going to be an easy job.

Check out my video - the wrasse dives into the sand at the end. It's in my sig below.
Vote for me!

[Jakerupe]

Originally Posted by Bogie

How do you have a leopard wrass with crushed coral substrate? They like to bury themselves in the sand at night (or when threatened). How long have you had the leopard wrasse? If you haven't had it very long, and he isn't already accustomed to not having a sandbed to dive into, then definitely at least add a good amount of sand somewhere for your wrasse. They really do need 2-3" of sandbed, especially deeper as they get bigger. I agree with Jason, though that changing substrate isn't going to be an easy job.

Check out my video - the wrasse dives into the sand at the end. It's in my sig below.
Vote for me!

He has been in there for about 6 months. The substrate is both coral and sand probably about 60-40% with sand being the majority. Think the substrate will wait until the move. Your movie was one of the first things I saw when I got to 3reef.... very cool.

Jason and Luna in regards to the LR in the TidePool does it make a difference if the rock is in the tank or the sump? With over 200lbs in the tanks I can't imagine that it would make that big a difference with another 5-10 pounds in the sump(not sure that much would fit). Unless the aeration of the water would be beneficial. Should I buy more or just rob from the tank, or just loose the wheel and nothing else?

Someone asked about the bio load and fish;
4-Clowns percs
Six Line Wrasse
Lepoard Wrasse
Flame Angel
Queen Angel
Big Koran Angel
3-sand sifting stars
1-blue linka
1-Urchin - this guy picks up every small rock and shell in it's spines
Long tentacle anemone
50+snails
30 + hermit crabs
4 Abalone – can’t tell these from snails myself but I bought some

[Jakerupe]

Originally Posted by KOgle

Shew, lots going on here. I'd start by slowing down your feeding. Next I would do some bigger water changes and keep up with that.

Crushed coral isn't bad if you keep it clean but most people struggle with this. Not to mention it's hard on some inhabitants. Soft sugar like sand is better...

I've always heard 10% water changes weekly or %25 every two weeks. A lot of your water change schdule will depend on your load as mentioned. You'll just need to feel it out. Just remember, it's better to over do it than under do it.

Sounds like you've got the desire to get it under control so it's just work from this point on! Nothing that can't be fixed though...

Good luck and keep us posted.

That's the first I've heard of that much of a water change that often or at least what I remember. Obviously though I'm doing something wrong so it sounds like good advice.

As far as the substrate and water changes I think that what you guys are getting is that the "water changing" is not as important as actually getting the cc clean. All the build up is what I should focus on? Having the mixed substrate I thought I was sucking up more sand then anything else. Again maybe a bad practice and would explain the current situation.

Both things you say though seem to point at me doing things wrong and with what I can see would lead to high nitrates.

Still nervous about just pulling the wheel and what that will do to my biological.