8g Biocube nitrates up

[kien]

Originally Posted by Shelley

Hi all,

I have a two month old 8g biocube with a few zoas, hermit crabs, coral banded shrimp, blue neon goby and six line wrasse. Within the last couple of weeks my nitrates have risen a bit (from 0 to around 10 ppm). Regular once per week water changes with r/o - all other parameters good. Last week when nitrates up I did a full 20% change a couple of days early and now four days later they are up again so did a partial 1g change only. If I use a nitrate destroyer without a protein skimmer (not made small enough for an 8g) will I always have to use it?

Great suggestions so far from everyone. I would also add that unless you are growing really sensitive corals (SPS/Acroporas for example), 10ppm nitrates is not necessarily something to panic about. Yes, it would be a good idea to get it down and definitely follow the above suggestions but I wouldn't consider it something you need to stress about. In other words, don't panic :-)

[425nm]

<a href="http://s22.beta.photobucket.com/user/Amemaru/media/2013-02-17232159_zps392170be.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b311/Amemaru/2013-02-17232159_zps392170be.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-02-17232159_zps392170be.jpg"/></a>

Skimmers for small tanks are very easily made. You will need a air flow valve though (not shown in picture).

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by 425nm

<a href="http://s22.beta.photobucket.com/user/Amemaru/media/2013-02-17232159_zps392170be.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b311/Amemaru/2013-02-17232159_zps392170be.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-02-17232159_zps392170be.jpg"/></a>

Skimmers for small tanks are very easily made. You will need a air flow valve though (not shown in picture).

waste of time and money for a tank that small.

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by kien

Great suggestions so far from everyone. I would also add that unless you are growing really sensitive corals (SPS/Acroporas for example), 10ppm nitrates is not necessarily something to panic about. Yes, it would be a good idea to get it down and definitely follow the above suggestions but I wouldn't consider it something you need to stress about. In other words, don't panic :-)

[Shelley]

Thanks to all for posting. I am taking all advice into consideration for sure. Yesterday I took a sample in to LFS for nitrite/ammonia test as I don't have these in my kit. They were zero, as were nitrates.

Six line, yes pinkreef, I've been warned. Was told originally it was a good choice and I did the unfortunate "go with your heart" response as I've seen larger ones of these while snorkelling in the past and just love the colour/shape. After purchase, I was warned and I did more reading. Will not make any moves just yet.

If I did a 75% water change, wouldn't that be a shock to the tank's inhabitants and the establishing ecology?

Thanks for the don't panic advice. That's where I tend to go right now as I'm unfamiliar with all of the chemistry pieces and don't want to be irresponsible or kill anything. As I get used to the tank I think this panic will abate!

[Dearth]

Not sure if you know about this website or not but liveaquaria.com is a great site as it deals with fish/coral/CuC and other stuff and will show you good fish and coral for both nano and full sized aquariums.