Opinion on my procedure

So I had Our company tank set up... Added a couple k4's to prepare for some nicer corals and they were introducing voltage into the tank, which resulted in all of our livestock dead :/
so I have now waited about 2-3 months for koralia to send me all new powerheads and refund me for the loss in fish... During this time I didn't keep up on the tank maintainance and the nitrates rose significantly (~50ppm). So, since there is no livestock, I am considering adding a large quantity of vodka to induce an intentional bloom so the bacteria can export the nitrates and any other nasties that may have built up... Then tomorrow I will be doing a 40% wc to prep for fish again...

Anyone feel this is extremely stupid, or smart

 

Since you are planning a WC, I'd consider that as a starter to any other "cleanup" activities. Dose to a target of coming out of your cleanup with all your chemistry dialed in...

Do you have live rock in the tank?

 

yes i have live rock...? the nitrate build up was due to the very low flow in the tank for the 2-3 months that it was fishless.

 

Hey Dingo...I had crazy high nitrates...over 200.
I got them down to 5 by doing water changes every 2-3 days for a couple of weeks and cleaning all the equipment and sumps completley. Also vacuumed the sand each time too.

I didnt add anything to my tank....I wanted to do it naturally and the frequent water changes work...35% each time.

If you have the time and patience try that way first....just my 2 cents!

 

A small hit of vodka might help... not stupid, but might be less effective than you hope for.

I would just go with some higher flow for a few days, a couple water changes, and test frequently. It could be as simple as that. Nitrates are food for the bacteria, they cycle fast, vodka may not help as much as you think if the root cause was lack of flow.

Some macro algae like Chaetomorphia would help.

If you have the lights and want to keep a clam they make a huge impact in nitrates.

any way you go a major water change would deff. help.

There's also some chemical adsorbants available... if you want to go that route.

-Doug

 

my vote is for chemical absorbants like algone or something similar ...works really fast and is easily removable.also cheap

 

i put in the new koralias today so we will see what the flow does tomorrow. I also added a new-and-improoved, totally custom fuge (ill post pics of this beauty tomorrow)

 

im not one for chemical fixes when my bacteria can take care of it... and isnt algone for algae?

 

Dingo, remember the slogan, "The solution to pollution is dilution" I would just do a few big water changes, and all should level out!

 

good plan should have the company tank back up and running smoothly in a few days then