Nitrate sponge

[Danyen]

skimmate is pretty dark at the moment. I usually skim dry, but I'm running it a little wetter now. No wet/dry or canisters... nothing filter wise that should be contributing to nitrates.

[Geoff]

do you siphon detritus? skimming wet will help to get your levels down. it may take a few days since the bacteria that process nitrates are deep within the LR and substrate. it takes a while for these guys to get the nitrates.

G~

[Danyen]

I do siphon detritus, probably every other week. I'm going to go with chemipure and biweekly water changes for the next few weeks, and see what happens. Thanks for the help

[Danyen]

OK... so I've been running my skimmer as wet as possible without worrying about coming home to an overfilled cup. I'm doing a second water change today, of 10g instead of 5g(on a 29g with no sump). Just now, I tested at:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: ~40
Ph: 8.4

This looks good, and should look better after the 10g WC. I haven't added the chemipure yet, but will today. My question now is... I have syconoid(sp?) sponges showing up, I've noticed 3 so far. I hear they are an indication of high nutrient levels in the water. Does this mean that my organics are too high, or is it an indicator of something else? I know they aren't harmful... just want to know what their appearance means. Thanks again for all the help... I never had the problems I'm having with my 100g FOWLR tank. smaller tanks are a pain. Still loving it tho...

[Danyen]

Oh, and I'd like to get a Peppermint shrimp to deal with my quickly growing aiptasia problem. i know they are sensitive to nitrates... how high is too high to keep one? thanks

[DarthOcellaris]

You should be safe at ~40ppm for nitrates to get a peppermint shrimp. But, if you can wait longer until they get lower, that's all the better.

If you decide to get him now, just acclimate him well.

[Danyen]

I've go the chemipure in there now. I'll wait a week or so and try to get down to 20ppm nitrate before adding a peppermint. Thanks

[DarthOcellaris]

Originally Posted by Danyen

I've go the chemipure in there now. I'll wait a week or so and try to get down to 20ppm nitrate before adding a peppermint. Thanks

You'll be happier you waited

[Danyen]

I'm not one to add a sensitive species in the wrong conditions. To me, it's not about the five bucks... it's about not needlessly wasting a life because of my impatience.

[DarthOcellaris]

Originally Posted by Danyen

I'm not one to add a sensitive species in the wrong conditions. To me, it's not about the five bucks... it's about not needlessly wasting a life because of my impatience.

good attitude

[Mindsgoneawol]

Originally Posted by Danyen

I'm not one to add a sensitive species in the wrong conditions. To me, it's not about the five bucks... it's about not needlessly wasting a life because of my impatience.

Amen!!!!