High PH & NO3 - what to do?

[eDen]

Hi,

Found that my water PH is 8.5 and nitrate/NO3 is > 60mg!!! What can I do to bring these down to healthier level? Appreciate all comments. Thanks.

eDEN

[lightningstrike]

how long has ur tank been setup? listing ur equipments, setup will be good. LS, corals?

[eDen]

Specifications:

1) CR Aquarium 5 feet overflow system (60x24x30)

2) PL Lighting

3) Filter tank filled with bio-ball & bio-ring (2 water sprinkle)

4) Weipro Skimmer Model 2012 with Ehiem Power Head

5) Live Rocks

6) No Corals

7) No Fishes yet

Background:

2nd attempt! 1st attempt to start the tank early this year ended as a disaster - the tank became a poison pool (not sure of the cause). 1) suspect issue with use of sea water 2) NTS...etc.

1 month ago, removed all the sea water and replace with salt mixture completely. Allowed new water with LR (some new some old) to settle for 1 month. Tested ammonia and nitrite level ok all this while. Today, bought test for PH & nitrate and discovered they seem to be higher than recommended.

[lightningstrike]

is ammonia and nitrite zero now? when was the last time u did a water change? what test kits u r using to test pH, kH, ammonia, NO2, NO3?

ur bio balls and rings will oso become a nitrate factory in future. and for a 5 footer!!! dun ur skimmer will be up to it in the future too.

[eDen]

is ammonia and nitrite zero now?

Ans: Yes

when was the last time u did a water change?

Ans: 1 month ago

what test kits u r using to test pH, kH, ammonia, NO2, NO3?

Ans: All using Sera

ur bio balls and rings will oso become a nitrate factory in future. and for a 5 footer!!!

Qn: How then?

dun ur skimmer will be up to it in the future too.

Qn: The pump doesn't seem to be able to create enough bubble to skim off the protein.......wonder whether water OK or pump not strong???

[lightningstrike]

do another 25% water change...... think it is abt time 2.

change ur testkits to other more reliable ones, e.g. salifert. sera has been reknown to be quite inaccurate amongst reefers' opinion here in src.

bio balls and rings how? remove them!!! if u hv existing LS in ur tank, and u r afraid that by removing all the bio balls and rings, ur system might not be able to take it, then remove it in stages. e.g. 1/4 this week, 1/4 2weeks later, so on and so forth. in the meantime, can invest in more LRs or hv a DSB for bio filtration.

upgrade to a better skimmer....... problem does not lie only wif the pump.

juz me 2 cents worth of advice.