New to Saltwater - Water Chemistry

Young@Heart

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 27, 2017
Messages
239
Reaction score
140
Location
Phoenix
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Need some advice:

I have a 55 Gallon Tank (no Sump). I use 2 75 Gallon Aqueon HOB filters and approx 38 lbs of live rock for filtration.

Population:
2 Clownfish
1 Sleeper (sandsifter) Goby
3 Emerald Crabs
1 Pigmy Angelfish
1 Gorilla Nipple Coral
1 Kenya Tree Coral

I am using RO in my tank. Tested parameters:

Temp 78.5 F
Salinity = 1.0245 to 1.025 (A refractometer should help pin this down)
Ammonia = 0 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate 5-10 ppm

Because I am new to some of this, I was feeding each animal just about every day - and this put me into overfeeding - I have reduced my feeding to about 7.5 ml of Mysis Shrimp once per day, but my Nitrate level still seems to be around 5-10 ppm. I have been told this is to high for corals. I am concerned with the 2 I have and I have 3 more on hold The ones I am looking to get are:
Gorilla Nipple
Fancy Zoa
Fancy Chalice

I am using the API Saltwater Master Test Kit and a Hydrometer. But I need some direction on my Nitrates. I have 1 LFS telling me my Nitrate level is to high and another saying it is not bad. From what I have been reading the level I am testing at is not bad. Please help and clarify.
 

Waters

"...in perfect isolation, here behind my wall."
View Badges
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
8,053
Reaction score
17,543
Location
Mentor, OH
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Your nitrates are fine.......coral require some nutrients in the form of nitrates and phosphates. If you can keep them at the level they are at now, you will be good :)
 

When to mix up fish meal: When was the last time you tried a different brand of food for your reef?

  • I regularly change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 36 25.2%
  • I occasionally change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 48 33.6%
  • I rarely change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 43 30.1%
  • I never change the food that I feed to the tank.

    Votes: 12 8.4%
  • Other.

    Votes: 4 2.8%
Back
Top