anthias_949
Member
while i was on vacation, my tanks nitrate levels skyrocketed and killed alot of my corals, what is the best way to remove large amounts of nitrate from a tank without damage to the corals?
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nitrate trouble
- Thread starter anthias_949
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DonW
R.I.P.
Water changes, why did it go up?
Krish
RF STAFF
Yeah, Don is right...Water changes. I've changed up to 50% at a time when I ran into similar problems without it causing any more problems. I just used a thermometer to make sure the temps were within 2-3 degrees of each other. In your case with the corals though, the water change will probably be less stressful on them even if the temperature is different, than the nitrates are. Also, if the corals are still dying off, then that means the nitrates will go even higher.
clayswim
Well-known member
Just be sure to mix the salt thoroughly; corals can be damaged by improperly mixed saltwater. Run a powerhead or airstones for at least 12 hours. Like Don said, that's the only way to bring nitrates down fast.
Clayton
Clayton
anthias_949
Member
umm, i'm not a newbie, i've just never run into this problem. this tank is 3 years old and is having this problem because a fish died and of inadequate water changes all summer. so i syphoned out alot of the sand, replaced it and did about a 50% water change. and yes i know how to mix water correctly. thankfully the corals have stoped dying, unfortunately that's because there are very few left. i researched a bit at work and bought some chemsorb by seachem, takes out phosphates and nitrates pretty well.
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wrightme43
Well-known member
Man I hate that. I am always sad to lose a coral or fish, and to lose a bunch at once would just kill me.
Have you tried a polyfilter by polybiomarine? They work well for me when I have any problems.
Its hard to tell on here what other peoples skill level is, everybody tries to be careful and not give bad advice or leave out a important piece of the puzzle.
You already know the answer and are solving the problem. Massive water changes with quality water and quality salt.
Glad your here and keep coming back.
Steve
Have you tried a polyfilter by polybiomarine? They work well for me when I have any problems.
Its hard to tell on here what other peoples skill level is, everybody tries to be careful and not give bad advice or leave out a important piece of the puzzle.
You already know the answer and are solving the problem. Massive water changes with quality water and quality salt.
Glad your here and keep coming back.
Steve
Scooterman
Well-known member
I couldn't of said it better from what already is posted, everyone (most) here tries to help others & that is a good thing, I hope whatever corals you have left perk up and do well. It can be difficult at times to keep pristine waters & on top of everything 24/7, glad you were able to recover what is left.
anthias_949
Member
yeah, so am i. i'm still sad that i lost most of my shrooms. i had alot of cool colored rics. the only problem with trying to recover right now is that i have no money. i'm a poor college student. but i'll get my tank fully under control soon. i've just stopped things from dieing for now.
Krish
RF STAFF
Sorry to hear you're a poor college student 
but atleast it will make you rich later. Glad to hear you got it all sorted with the nitrate prob.
but atleast it will make you rich later. Glad to hear you got it all sorted with the nitrate prob.anthias_949
Member
yeah thanks. would any of you happen to know the best acclimating procedure for swithching from an old 10K metal halide to a new 20K?
Krish
RF STAFF
Nope...you may want to start a new thread on that one because many people think you've got your tank all sorted out and will not come back to this thread...They probably think it got hijacked like most do and that's why there is still more posts on it(LOL)
nasher8860
BANE
I don't know if you really need to acclimate it, it might have a lower Par than your previously 10k. What kind of Bulbs are you switching out/ switchin to?
anthias_949
Member
both bulbs are XM, and the 10K that i'm swithcing out is about a year and a half old. the reason that i'm asking on this thread is because i asked about it on another forum and no one answered. both are 175 watt
wrightme43
Well-known member
The 10k is has what? 627 par and the 20k has I think around 270 par? Not real sure on exact numbers. A worn out 10k will still be putting more usable light in your tank than a new 20k I would just go with a few hours less a day for a few days and slowly add a hour a day back after about 5 days. If I felt uncomfortable just switching them.
Scooterman
Well-known member
lol yea I agree with wrightme43, you probably just leave it as is but like he said if your switching out with that much difference your corals may slowly be affected because they were adjusted to the higher PAR.
