nitrates!!!!!!

[billblass_44]

How do I keep the nitrates down? I have two fish only tanks and would like to attempt a reef.....

[romunov]

For acute ailments, I suggest water changes (relatively large ones), for long term, good skimming (bad idea if you're dosing plankton, as I've learned ) and of course live mass export like growing Xenia and various macro algae.

[rshimek]

[moved]

[bertoni]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm

That article goes over a lot of ideas. We'd need to know how the tank is set up (skimmer, LR, etc) and how much is fed to help much, but a macroalgae area is a common solution.

[billblass_44]

the tank is a 29gal about 20lbs of LR three fish a damsel tang and goby no skimmer just an emporer on the back of it.

[NexDog]

"You are surrounded, there's no way out. Put the tang down and come out with your hands up".

[JENnKerry]

Originally posted by billblass_44
would like to attempt a reef.....

One thing that has always helped me is keeping a low fish load in your reef. I had four very small fish in my 55 for a year til the tank was upgraded to a 125. Now there are six fish with the biggest being a yellow tang and powder blue tang. My nitrates have never been above zero. Just a thought.

[DJM32189]

I would exchange the yellow tang for perhaps a smaller and lower-bioload fish and maybe set up a refugium or a purchase a skimmer.

[bertoni]

Hmm, your fish load is probably a little high. You could also consider reducing your feeding, if appropriate. How much and what are you feeding?

Your live rock quota is a bit small for the tank. The Emperor, if it has media in it, is also a possible issue, although at this point you need it to keep ammonia in check.

If you're set on a reef, I'd say adding more live rock (very carefully) and phasing out the media in the Emperor (very carefully) would be useful. The tang is a bit much for that size tank, IMO, too.