Well now that I have my aquarium up and running, I am realizing I dont understand the whole process as much as I had originally thought. First water changes are a pain in the ass. I have ideas how to make it easier but I need 2 buy some things to do that. Next when I just had water and rocks in my tank my nitrites were 0 and nitrates just about maybe 1 or 2. I added 80lb of carabsea alive oolite sand. Which then I added 2 fish. A clown and a royal Gramma. Now the nitrates are quickly rising. I have already done a 10% water change. I am at 10 nitrates. So let me understand. Ways to get rid of nitrates. Water changes. macro algae and no overstocking and over feeding. I know I have a new system but the rock is plenty established. One thing I have noticed is the algae that was on that rock have pretty much receded I do have a small clean up crew.(2 turbos 10 blue legged hermits 1 emerald and 2 skunk shrimp) I figure alot of that has to do with the crappy lights i have on there. I really need to get some cheato algae in the sump. So here are my questions.
1. Are water changes and macro algae the best ways to get rid of nitrate? Or is there something else?
2. Will with time since my so called live sand is not established will my nitrates go down with time just with the sand maturing?
3. I really have nothing in the sand to keep it sifted should I added some snails? (if so how many)
3. I only empty about 1 cup of water(and a little bit of nasty stuff) from my skimmer every 3 days. I have the tube all the way up just to get that(yes i know more watery) How often do you empty your skimmer cup and how much are you getting? Do you think my skimmer not working right? octo-nw150 and I have checked to make sure there is plenty of air flow.
4. Any other helpful advice or am i just being a newb and need to let the system mature?
Thanks as always
1. Are water changes and macro algae the best ways to get rid of nitrate? Or is there something else?
2. Will with time since my so called live sand is not established will my nitrates go down with time just with the sand maturing?
3. I really have nothing in the sand to keep it sifted should I added some snails? (if so how many)
3. I only empty about 1 cup of water(and a little bit of nasty stuff) from my skimmer every 3 days. I have the tube all the way up just to get that(yes i know more watery) How often do you empty your skimmer cup and how much are you getting? Do you think my skimmer not working right? octo-nw150 and I have checked to make sure there is plenty of air flow.
4. Any other helpful advice or am i just being a newb and need to let the system mature?
Thanks as always