4ft tank finishing cycle but NO3 still high!

[UFO]

hi everyone,

started cycle on 22/9 with 30kg LR. put in 4 big prawns on 27/9 & added 20kg LR. On 04/10 HN4 was 5mg/l. On 09/10 NH4 was 0 & NO2 was 0. On 14/10 NH4=0, NO2=0 but NO3 was between 25-50mg/l (using tetra test kit).

izzit normal to have such high NO3? what is the next step.

Other info:

6" DSB with 3ft sump.

Weipro 2012 never turn on since 1st day.

Thks for any advise.

[Cleartank]

Its normal to have high nitrate after your cycle, NO3 can be reduced by doing regular water changes and if you have sump tank... Caulerpa algea, these help to reduse NO3 in the water too!! But beware, some grow too rapidly to be placed in the main tank!!!

Reef On....

[Clownfish]

if ur NH3 n NO2 remains constantly 0 ( monitor few days more ), then it would probably means that ur tank is cycled....

NH3 is converted into NO2 then into NO3...

so it's absolutely normal to hav high nitrate level after cycling....

u need to change some water, i would recommend bout 20% to get rid of some nitrate n replenish some trace elements inside ur water...

[Achilles Tang]

UFO,

You can do regular water changes to bring down the nitrate levels. Do it soon before nuisance algae takes advantage of the high levels to overgrow.

Your DSB will take a couple of months to mature... but it should begin to slowly process your nitrates to harmless nitrogen gas very soon. Just stock up slowly so you don't push the nitrate levels too high.

As pointed out by some people, the use of a refugium to grow out & harvest macroalgae to export nitrates is a good step to take.

Just a tip from me... if you see a single strand of hair algae in your macroalgae... NUKE IT QUICK!!!!!!!!!!!

[jazzben81]

wait for another week..

havent a month yet.

normally take 4 ~6 weeks to cycle..

patience goes a long way.

[terryansimon]

UFO,

You can do regular water changes to bring down the nitrate levels. Do it soon before nuisance algae takes advantage of the high levels to overgrow.

Your DSB will take a couple of months to mature... but it should begin to slowly process your nitrates to harmless nitrogen gas very soon. Just stock up slowly so you don't push the nitrate levels too high.

As pointed out by some people, the use of a refugium to grow out & harvest macroalgae to export nitrates is a good step to take.

Just a tip from me... if you see a single strand of hair algae in your macroalgae... NUKE IT QUICK!!!!!!!!!!!

I know this is a silly question

but...why nuke it if you see a strand of hair there? =x

[Achilles Tang]

Similar to 'if you see a cockroach in your house... NUKE IT!!!!'

Heard of the Multiplication Factor?

[Cleartank]

Because if you dun, then you will see many hairs before you even can say "wat the F@#@?"?!

Come to think of it, Micheal Jordan must be reefer then, Hair... nuke.... hmmm....

[FuEl]

hi everyone,

started cycle on 22/9 with 30kg LR. put in 4 big prawns on 27/9 & added 20kg LR. On 04/10 HN4 was 5mg/l. On 09/10 NH4 was 0 & NO2 was 0. On 14/10 NH4=0, NO2=0 but NO3 was between 25-50mg/l (using tetra test kit).

izzit normal to have such high NO3? what is the next step.

Other info:

6" DSB with 3ft sump.

Weipro 2012 never turn on since 1st day.

Thks for any advise.

4 big prawns!?

How big is your tank?

Btw..changing 50% water will not lower ur nitrates by 50%...it does'nt work that way...a change in water will only remove a very small proportion of nitrates...but it is not a long term solution.

So best way is to go DSB.

[Cleartank]

I think he does have a DSB but like AT mentioned, DSB mature in 6 mths thereabout.... meanwhile water changes seems like the only way... of course and the caulerpa....

[UFO]

Thanks for all the replys.

Yes, i have a portion in the sump that will be used as a refugium. only have time to go get some macroalgae end of the month.

AT,

Just 1 question abt yr reply. What do u meant by "single strand of hair algae in yr macroalgae". Will i be expecting hair algae growth IN/ON my macroalgae??? Thks in advance for the advice.