HELP! Nitrates!

Hi there, After reading many Nitrate Threads I just wanted to figure out how to lower my nitrates.... I have a 16g bf, right now they are at 40, I have lost 2 clown fish yesturday but for 2 days now I have been trying to lower them down....I've tried vacumming sand bed which I had never done (Im fairly new to this, only have had my tank for 4.5 months now) and I have done alot of water changes. I cannot afford a denitrator I researched and they are over $100... But I am anxious to lower my nitrates immediatly before I loose my last fish or any of my 5 corals.. Can anyone help? what can I do to lower them right away or fast?

 

No3 of 40ppm will not cause a fish to die. You need to find whats causing the No3. Can you tell a little about your set up and what you do to the tank? Luna

 

reeftankgirl,

Have you checked ammonia and nitrites? Don't vacuum your sand bed, that is where all of the bacterial plankton and larger planktonic animals live who are breaking down the waste products. As lunatik_69 said we need to know more about your tank, how many animals you have, what kind of filtration, do you have a skimmer or carbon, etc.?

Marlene

 

BTW, 40ppm isnt that bad, if you had 80ppm and climbing, then I would be worried for you.

BTW, Welcome to 3reef my fellow Floridian or should I say Miamian.;D



[SCROLL]Luna;D[/SCROLL]

 

I have about 25pounds of live rock, 5 corals, 7line wrasse (onlyfish left), sand sifting star, 2 sails, 5 crabs and about 2 inches or live sand. I have a 30g powerhead and I believe what is a 30g filter.

 

I dont understand what you mean by a "30g powerhead" and a "30g filter" I can assume that you mean you have a 30g(filter) is a sump or refugium but I dont get the 30g powerhead. Luna

 

No, what I think they mean is that the have a mechanical HOB filter rated at 30 gallons, with a powerhead rated at 30 as well.
How much flow (GPH) are those exactly? What type of powerhead? Do you have a skimmer? What about an airstone?
A 7 line wrasse and 2 clowns = too much fish for a 16 gallon IMHO. Did you add both clowns at the same time as well?

 

ok I just got home and checked.....the power head is an aquaclear powerhead 30, its for 10-30gallon aquariums up to 175gph but i dont have so powerful I think I have it about halfway ...

the filter..Marineland Penguin Power Filter model 200.


No I dont have a skimmer nor an airstone.....do I need those?

 

how old is the tank?

 

4 1/2 months.....