Bacteria, nitrate, pH

How can I grow more bacteria in my new tank that already has 40 pounds of sand and 30 pounds of live rocks. My tank is a 36 bow front. As well as how can I lower my nitrate level? Also how can I make my pH level normal?

 

If this is a new set up just let it cycle. Bacteria will grow and nitrates will go down. You should get yourself some test kits to test your water prams. What is your ph now?

 

The only way to lower nitrate is to do water change. The cycle begins with Ammonia. The bacteria brakes down ammonia to nitrite then to nitrate. Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic but nitrate is not. If you have live sand and live rocks, the bacteria should be there. But you will still need to cycle the tank to get sufficient amount of bacteria to remove ammonia and nitrite. Get yourself a few test kits (not test strips <-- useless) like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium.

Do not dose anything until you test the water first.

 

Nitrate never goes down with bacteria unless you are dosing carbon. Water change is the only foolproof way to remove/reduce nitrate.

 

Well, as of now i believe it is around 8.3 and in my tank i have two clown fishes two demsils and a couple blue legged hermit crabs and a fox face. Recently a crab, a gobby, and another fish idk the name of died because i didnt know my salinity was at 1.026. So today i brought it down what do u recommed I do. I brought a water sample to my local fish store and he said i don have enough bacteria my ph is to high and another tube was like lime green i think it was cause of my light or something. NOW WHAT?

 

For your reading pleasure:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium

 

Both salinity and pH are in the higher end of normal range and should be ok. Lime green indicates high ammonia which is toxic. Do large water change and reduce feeding. Ammonia WILL kill your fish no matter how healthy they are. Check ammonia at least twice a day and do water change if you detect high level of ammonia.

 

so all i do is just do big water changes and everythign will be ok and how about my bacteria do i need to buy more rocks?

 

Did you cycle completely before adding fish? If you cycled your tank properly, the ammonia level should be undetectable. I wouldn't worry about bacteria for now. High ammonia level is greater threat.

 

Sounds like you have stocked your tank too quickly,this may have caused an ammonia spike killing some of your fish.You could add a little more base rock if you would like but it won't make an immediate improvement.If the fish you still have are doing ok a normal sized water change might be good,about 20%.If this is a new tank I boubt that your nitrates are high enough to be a problem,you need to give the bacteria time to multiply.It would help to reduce feeding and definitely don't add any new inhabitants.