It doesn’t matter how much water I change, my nitrates are always through the roof! All other parameters are spot on. I use the Red Sea algae kit to test. I thought it was just an inaccurate batch. Checked with api (I know not the best) but it coincides with it as well. Is it possible that my rock is just leeching nitrates?
For reference, when I started I cycled with tap. Then did a 90% change and went to distilled. (Green label at Walmart)Then bought another type (purple label) and started to have issues. Then bought an RODI unit (RO buddie). Cartridges have been replaced, the DI resin is good. I checked my tap. I’ve checked the RODI water. All is zero nitrates. Fish do well. I have a pair of clowns, a lawnmower blenny, a pistol shrimp, a few snails and a few hermits. I have a couple zoa and palythoa frags. None are thriving though they are surviving. Some chaeto growing in my sump. A skimmer that skims well. I stir the sand with the siphon during changes which I do at least 30% weekly. Tank is a 60 tall. Sump holds about five gallons. Oh and one piece of my rock that did have coralline is turning a brown/black/grey. And I have vermitid snails
I’m worried I’m going to have to toss this rock but I don’t have the money to replace it
For reference, when I started I cycled with tap. Then did a 90% change and went to distilled. (Green label at Walmart)Then bought another type (purple label) and started to have issues. Then bought an RODI unit (RO buddie). Cartridges have been replaced, the DI resin is good. I checked my tap. I’ve checked the RODI water. All is zero nitrates. Fish do well. I have a pair of clowns, a lawnmower blenny, a pistol shrimp, a few snails and a few hermits. I have a couple zoa and palythoa frags. None are thriving though they are surviving. Some chaeto growing in my sump. A skimmer that skims well. I stir the sand with the siphon during changes which I do at least 30% weekly. Tank is a 60 tall. Sump holds about five gallons. Oh and one piece of my rock that did have coralline is turning a brown/black/grey. And I have vermitid snails
I’m worried I’m going to have to toss this rock but I don’t have the money to replace it