ecosystem refugiums

this is not a new tank I've had it up for about 3 months. I have tons of snail poop. I see them all the time pooping.

 

If the tank is 3 months old it is still new. Especially if you have stocked it too fast. As far as snail waste yes they make waste no it is not a problem. Most people look at snails, hermit crabs , certian starfish and etc.. to benefit more then detract so they don't count them in the bioload.

 

how can I fix the problem.

 

what is the problem exactly?

 

that my nitrite is high.

 

3 months old and high nitrites i would say your tank is in th middle of its cycle. Leave it alone, don't do water changes, don't add any live stock and feed the critters you have every othre day at the most. As a matter of fact don't put anymore food in the tank if at least half the tank is live rock they wiill find enough growing on that. Add topoff where needed and test it along the way for a month. The more you mess with it right now the more you will have to mess with it all the time.

 

That's what I was thinking. Stop feeding it.

Also,
Where do you get your freshwater from?
WHat kind of skimmer do you have?

 

the tap but I run it thru a DI unit. I have a Red Sea Prism Protein skimmer. I had low nitrites for a while then all of a sudden they spiked. Maybe I added to much LR or inverts to fast. I thought the cycle only lasted 4-6 weeks.

 

but if I don't do water changes then I get high nitrates.

 

How much sand do you have and what kind is it?