Curing LR

[quote author=szogun link=board=General;num=1077664084;start=0#8 date=02/24/04 at 21:03:15]O and one more thing my nitrate is around 5.0-7.0 is that a big issue?
people say it should read 0 what is your opinion?[/quote]
Yes this is an issue... how long have you have the tank setup?

 

around 8 months

 

Nitrates of 5-7 are not horrible, and not uncommon in a reef system. I would think getting Nitrates down below 5 would be farly difficult. Now Nitrites between 5-7 is very bad and would be cuaseing fish a great deal of stress

Nautilus please correct me if I'm wrong

J

 

I try and keep the nitrates from 2 to 5. Mine are ar 2 right now.
Nitrites should be null.
Test for phosphates most likly the nitrates are from over feeding or to many fish in the tank., or the end of a cycle
Nitrates are the least harmful of the 3-ammonia, nitrites, Nitrates.
Water changes also help lower Nitrates but this is not the cure.
Some times changing rocks around or adding new fish, LR, or corals can also spike nitrates.
Removal of bio ball or moving bio balls around will do this also.

Did you change anything in the tank recently?

 

J do you have a photo of your light setup?

 

Actually to tell you the truth I have changed the water like a week ago and before that I dindt change it for about 2.5 months I think that this may be the case what you think?
Actually I dont have exect picture but this is my canopy in there there is a 40oW mh on the left side and there is also a regular 48" 40W fixture with actinic blue bulb
I will make a pic tomorrow

 

Ok how do I post a picture on a reply form?

 

Remember since your water change you added a lot of stuff. It wouldn't hurt to do another one. The peppermint shrimp in my tank still food from the anemone if I don't drop something in the bottom of the tank for them first. I would watch them because peppermint have been known to do unexpected things . I watched one tear into a frogspawn I had until I could dive into the tank and remove the it. I also want to point out that shopping around for livestock or dry goods is great because you can find the best price but, shopping around for advice will drive you nuts. I will always help out here as I was posting here before jumping back into Tropi-Quatics and will also help you there, but , even if it isn't here or there I would find one place to seek advice (A trusted source thing) because you will get different advice from different people and will never get your tank under control. I am giving this website out at the store exclusively because I trust it and i trust the people here So if this is the place keep firing away because we all get a rush out of this ( especially once all the new levels and names come out!)

 

Thanks Phill you have been very helpfull I wish every LFS had a emploee like you
O well let me go on than
O so if I get the LR how long it usually takes to cure? and How do I know when its cured?

 

First ask questions the buy.
How long have they had the rock?
Where did they get the rock from ( Important because some places like Bali is deep rock and shows more die off when under intense light)
Do you get a better price at 50lbs rather then 30? Most rock comes in 45 to 50 lbs boxes and you may get a better price when buying that way.

Now a side note: How much rock are you planning to put in your tank? Even cured rock will have die off and Too much can cause a spike. So you are going to have to add it slow. I usually keep it to 10lbs or less of cured and 1-3lbs if uncured and test,test,test,test. Be ready to do more smaller water changes if you spike.
Another alternative is to use base rock and promote Coraline algae growth on it.
Get a nylon vegetable brush and clean the rock as you put it into the tank or curing vat it helps get rid of dead stuff.