new member intro

[Coral Chris]

Just saying hi to everyone. My name is Chris Powell. Been in SA for a year now (air force member @ lackland). I am very new to reefing (tank been up for 3 months now). I am running a 6 gallong fluval edge reef.. funny most people start big and then go smaller.. I guess I'm just backwards. So far no major issues except my nightmare nitrate problem (between 40-80ppm with API kit). I don't have any fish.. just coral and inverts. Well thats bout it for now. Feel free to hit me up anytime about anything. Thanks guys.. Happy Reefing ^^

PS. Tank pic with be up soon

[SABOB]

First, thank you for serving our Country.
Second, API Nitrate tests are notorious for being off. At one time mine read blood red, panicked and took water sample to LFS. Their tests showed 10-20


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[FireWater]

Welcome. Thank you.

I second the trouble with API test kits. I have a Red Sea kit you're welcome to come get and try your luck with.

[THE_BEAST]

Thank you for serving! And welcome to our beautiful city

[Kristy]

Hard to imagine where those kind of nitrates would even come from with no fish, only coral and inverts! Can't be right.

PS: welcome to MAAST and San Antonio. Appreciate your military service.

[Coral Chris]

Thanks you all for your support. Glad to be here. I don't know anyone with a SW tank so kinda hard to find ppl to chat with. I was feeding the coral brine without rinsing it..fuel.. And phytoplankton-m. But I'm only feeding them once a week now till I figure out this Nitrate problem. Maybe I should try a different kit. All my Lps look happy and are growing nicely so I dunno .. Shrug


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[350gt]

Phyto/fuel are to blame....


In such a small tank with no skimmer is the cause, im sure....

[envy]

welcome to maast

[Coral Chris]

Looking to switch to reef roids. stopped by elegant reef today but they were sold out..said a shipment is coming with more Wednesday or thursday. Anyone else tried fuel? I heard its just amino acids and shouldnt cause nitrate spikes, but i dont know. I laid off the phyto for about a week. lps and sps still looking good so i think im fine

[FireWater]

Feeding too much in a small environment can cause several water quality issues. What are you doing for nutrient export?

[jcnkt_ellis]

+1 to what John said, you have to have adequate nutrient export in a nano and appropriate portion sizes of food. Personally, I do a 20% water change weekly and feed less then .5 ml of rods coral food per day in my fishless nano.

[Coral Chris]

Update.. Took my water to a Alamo Aquatics to test my nitrates... Showed up 5ppm on their kits.. opposed to 80ppm on my API test kit. Makes me happy.. no more nitrate nightmares!!


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[SABOB]

👍


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[Coral Chris]

Thanks for all the replies.. You guys are awesome. I was doing 25% water changes weekly and
replacing floss every 3-4 days. Since my nitrates are fine I think I can cut back on water changes. I'm think a gallon a week.. Thoughts?


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[SABOB]

Check your parameters and let those guide you....FYI, I do weekly 5 gallon changes on a 12 gallon Nanocube


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[CPLHESS]

Welcome to maast and San Antonio as thanks for your service as well. Glad it was the test kit. Not a fan of API testers as well. Red seas are great