Adding live rock to my saltwater aquarium. What can I do to maintain the nitrate level from rising?
I am in the process of adding live rock to my saltwater aquarium. I have added some chateamopha, and I inevitability something other than constant water change. Should a protein skimmer do the job? My tank is 55 gallons, and I have roughly speaking 15lbs. and am aiming at a total of about 30-40lbs.
Protien skimmers dont directly remove nitrate, but they do remove stray organic stuff from the water, and that will slow down the rate of nitrate production, as well as generally helping your marine quality.
You will still need to do water change, but hopefully less.
Ian
Honestly water changes are your best likelihood.
A protein skimmer can help some (and should be used on a saltwater tank anyway), but you can't expect it to completely eliminate nitrates from your sea. Even the best skimmer will be limited on what it can do for your tank.
Answers: mainly live rock will rocket your phosphate levels and nitrate due to dieback.
Get a phosphate remover, fluidised are the best close to a deltec pf509
Good skimmer, the best and biggest you can buy, skimming is the cornerstone of a reef system and your live rock will soon start filtering the water itself .
i would still do water change when rock is first introduced as your tank will not cope with the dieback especially whether you dont have a skimmer.
Adding Live rock to the water will cause nitrite levels(NO2) to rise and will turn some into nitrate(NO3) although nitrate is not as bad for you as nitrite but just cycle the tank a few day and will lead to nitrite to go away but as to take out nitrate u will enjoy to have a protein skimmer to take out the ammonia
