water changes?

[eddie]

I currently have 150g tank that is 2 months old. NO Fish in it, just live rock, dsb and a sump w/live rock. Everything looks fine except the nitrate level. I am currently doing water changes with ro/di system. The water coming out of the ro/di system checks fine but the water changes are not lowering the nitrate levels. I am doing about 20-30 gallons per water changer every 2-3 weeks. Is there any other suggestions beside water changes to lower nitrate level?

[MikeDeL]

Try once a week for awhile. What are your nitrates at?

[GaryP]

Its just part of the natural cycling that takes place with a new tank. Just be paitent. A refugium would be helpful. Make sure your skimmer is working efficiently. The only other thing I might suggest is running some activated carbon but until the system finishes cycling that may be counter-productive.

The nitrates are going to feed the bacteria that are needed for a mature system. The development of those bacteria are the final step in the cycle. Just give it some time.

Gary

[mathias]

also did you put some established live sand on your DSB? if not get a cup from someone that will help also...

[NaCl_H2O]

The nitrates are going to feed the bacteria that are needed for a mature system. The development of those bacteria are the final step in the cycle.

Eddie, you said Nitrates, right? You sure it's not Nitrites? Gary's statement above is true if you are reading high nitrites. If it really is high Nitrates, then your bacteria cycle is complete (Ammonia - Nitrites - Nitrates), but maybe not very mature?

You said no fish ... are you running lights, and have you gone through any other cycles yet? (diatoms, hair algae, cyano, ???).

You can use a Nitrate sponge (similar to carbon), but it sounds like something is feeding your nitrogen cycle?

[eddie]

nitrates are high not nitrites, yes I am running lights, I do have some mushrooms growing and yes I have live sand.. feather dusters, worms, etc. The tank was running before I bought it. I did a 50% water change initially. Thanks for the info everyone. I will keep changing the water.

[Ram_Puppy]

Eddie, it is likely the sandbed was disturbed during moving, and this will probalby cause a cycle, the anerobic bacteria will die off and have to re-establish themselves. This is my guess anyhow. I would do weekly water changes, and not go skimpy on their size either, at least 50 gallons. If there is a skimmer on the tank, put it on it's wettest setting (if it's adjustable) to pull out as much gunk as you can, and as said, run an absorbent media, Carbon, Nitrate reducer, probably want to put some phosban in if you can as well as a disturbed DSB, if not cared for properly, may be releasing some phosphates into your water.