It's a new 30g tank about a month old. I first put the water in on 3/21. I put in a shrimp and pretty sure I cycled ok. Amonia and nitrites 0 but my nitrates are STILL 160ppm and no change. I've done 3 water changes of 10% each and still show nitrates off the chart. It's my understanding, that as nitrates dissapate through the air, this forms nitrogen and the nitrogen causes diatoms, hair algae and stuff, but I'm not showing any sort of diatom growth. I have considered a few things to help my nitrates and wanted some opinions.
Option 1, I'll do some larger water changes. My worry here, is that since this is a new tank, I will be removing too much of the beneficial bacteria.
Option 2, Dose the tank with some cheato. My worry here is that I've heard bad things about adding chemicals. Especially in a new tank.
Option 3, Buy some more live rock and hope it will clear some of the nitrates up. I currently only have 2 pounds of live rock. The other 23 pounds or so is dry rock. My worry here is the outrageous price at LFS for it and starting another cycle, with a ammonia and nitrite spike, and resulting in even MORE nitrates.
Advice? :wink:
Option 1, I'll do some larger water changes. My worry here, is that since this is a new tank, I will be removing too much of the beneficial bacteria.
Option 2, Dose the tank with some cheato. My worry here is that I've heard bad things about adding chemicals. Especially in a new tank.
Option 3, Buy some more live rock and hope it will clear some of the nitrates up. I currently only have 2 pounds of live rock. The other 23 pounds or so is dry rock. My worry here is the outrageous price at LFS for it and starting another cycle, with a ammonia and nitrite spike, and resulting in even MORE nitrates.
Advice? :wink: