Should I add more live rock or change substrate?

[skrume]

I have a 55g with crushed coral substrate and only about 5 lbs. live rock. I did a 50% WC about 3-4 weeks ago and 5% WC every 3-4 days. I am running a canister filter, and a Seaclone Skimmer.
I have reduced the amount of food to my fish, but my nitrates will not go down. Using an API test kit, my readings are:
PH - 8.2
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 100 - 160 (even after water changes)
S/G- 1.022
My question(s) is, would it help to add more live rock? I don't really want to change the substrate ( as this would be like starting new) but I will do whatever needs to done for the health of the fish. If I do need to change the substrate, would live sand be better than the crushed coral, or can there be a combo (we like the look of the coral).?

[dileggi]

From what I've been reading on these posts from more experienced people, it seems about 1 lb of rock per gallon of water is the suggested amount. That may depend on what you're keeping in the tank, but I don't know for sure.

As for the substrate, there seems to be different opinions from people that think crushed coral substrate will hurt the tank more in the long run than sand. But, other's say that the crushed coral is fine. I'm not sure what the coral actually does to make people think it would hurt the tank. But, I've read that some of the experienced people also use the coral.

I'm thinking I would definitely get more live rock and if you like the coral, leave it.

[kau_cinta_ku]

you will want at least 1-2lbs per gal. of LR to the tank and the crushed coral should be changed out for sand. the crushed coral can become a nitrate factory if not cleaned regulary. also a better skimmer would help.

what type of fish and how many do you have?

[Jocephus]

What are you using for filtration? Undergravel? Cannister? Either of those would contribute to the high nitrates. More live rock would help, but placing it on top of your crushed coral would likely not yield the results you are looking for. Whatever you do, cycle the new materials in a seperate tank, or remove your fish to another (already cycled) tank before adding more rock or changing sand. Are you using RO/DI water for your tank, if not you may be bringing the nitrates in at a high level from your tap water. The fish waste would only add to that number. You can cap off the top of the sand with coral, just do it sparingly.

Good luck,

Joe

[skrume]

I have a Porcupine Puffer, a Rabbitfish, and 1 pink-tipped Anenome. I lost my Trigger which really alerted me that something serious was wrong. The coral is vaccumed whenever water changes are done.

[nmhs2]

I have a 55 gallon with 95 lbs of live rock so much better everything zero's out when you have good bio filtration. Start relying less on mechanical

[Jocephus]

I will not stay on police patrol long, but if you have a trigger, rabbitfish, and a porcy puffer in a 55, your nitrates are not going to go away. You can try to manage them more effectively until your 180 gal tank is set up. But you should set it up soon. You do have a 180 you are setting up, don't you? If not, you might want to return a couple of fish.

[skrume]

I am using DI water. I have tested that water and also the prepared water for Nitrates - and both return as 0ppm. I was previously running an undergravel filtration, but changed to canister after losing Trigger. I only removed the powerheads and tubes as I did not want to cause any more problems.

[Jocephus]

PS, I doubt that the nitrates killed your trigger, but the stress of being in a small tank with other fish of that size probably contributed. Just my .02

Good luck,

Joe

[Jocephus]

You can use an undergravel filter effectively on a fish only tank, it just takes a lot of work/commitment on your part. I would not stop the U/G filter just yet. In doing so, you may cause a tank crash. Run the cannister for a month or so along with the U/G in order to give the cannister time to seed with beneficial bacteria. Everything you do going forward should be done slowly, small changes are better than large ones!

[skrume]

So as I'm setting up a much LARGER tank with sand, I should add more live rock and reconnect the U/G filter for a while. Has anyone ever used the Nitrate Spnge? I understand it takes a while to see any results, but any thoughts would be great.

[Jocephus]

If you do a little more research, you'll find that nitrates aren't as bad for fish as they are for corals. In your case, I would:

1. Get a larger tank
2. Get more live rock (1.5 lbs per gallon)
3. Replace crushed coral with sand, IF you like sand. If not, it won't hurt your fish
4. Get a skimmer
5. Set up a refugium

These are all things that will make your fish happier, and in the long run, make you happier. Less stress, fewer water changes, etc...

That said, do NOT add live rock to your tank with the occupants inplace. It will cause an ammonia spike, and may crash your tank. The only exception to this is if you buy cured rock, that is not taken out of the water for shipping. (From a local source). And yes, I'd fire up the ol' undergravel filter until you are ready to change your setup. Just be sure to do your dilligence in water changes, water testing, and cleaning the gravel.

Haven't used the nitrate sponge, sorry.

Again, baby steps. Don't rush to correct any of this. It took a long time to get the nitrates up, it should take a while to get them back down. Just be patient.

[skrume]

Ahh...patience...That always seems to be the hard one.
Thanks for all your thoughts!