Nitrates

So being new to SW I find myself dealing with some nitrates. Tank is new and only a month old nitrates seem to run 10-20 which in all my FW tanks would be completely acceptable. Question is, for a new tank how high is to high with nitrates? No corals yet just 2 clowns and a CUC. Im afraid the nitrates will get higher and higher and then become an issue down the road. Is 10-20 decent for a new setup? I did not yet add on a protein skimmer which I am sure would help but an article I read stated that even the best skimmers only remove about 20% of dissolved organics.

 

For fish, 10-20 is fine.
It's also fine for soft corals and some LPS.
Water changes will bring it down, if you start corals, a skimmer will help.

 

Also, install a refugium. I waited and dealt with nitrates all the time, once I installed the fuge things were a breeze... or biopellets if you dont want to go the fuge route.

 

P.S. Go Pittsburgh!

 

Penguin fan?

 

pirates too!

 

pirates, u mean the farm club for all other teams right? lol

 

+1

Also, it's perfectly normal for a new tank to experience parameter swings, including nitrates, for as long as a year. That's why new SW tank owners are advised against certain inhabitants for that period. Just get a couple of hardy fish and CuC in there to help feed and balance out your biofilter.

 

So in a 46gallon with 40lbs livesand and 45lbs liverock (as live as it can be in 1month) I have 2 small percula clowns and a large CUC. Tank has been cycled for a few weeks and clowns have been in there about 2 weeks, CUC of snails and hermit about 3 days. What should be my next step? Is it time to add another fish or should I just wait for awhile I know they say patient is a virtue in SW which I learned with cycling the tank and I dont want to rush and add a third fish until the tank is ready for it.

 

Personally, I usually wait 1 month after the first fish and CuC before adding anything else. Once you've made a second addition, every 2 weeks is pretty much normal. Just keep testing ammonia after any additions to make sure it doesn't spike. You'll also need to test nitrates and perform water changes to keep them in check.