Hey everyone. I have had my tank up and running for a year and a half or so. For the most part I have been able to figure out all of the problems that come along with getting into the hobby, however there's a few things I can't ever seem to figure out. I was hoping to pick some brains and get some recommendations.
My tank: (Pics Attached)
40 gal. tank running a wet/dry sump system. Octopus 100 HOB skimmer.
1 six line, 1 clown, 1 purple stripe dotty back, 1 small yellow tang
3 shrimp (Cleaner, Fire, & Peppermint), 2 starfish, (sand sifting and brittle), and plenty of snails.
My biggest issue is nitrate. I can't get it down. My test always comes back dark red, which is around 160ppm. I do frequent water changes, minimum feeding, and I don't believe my tank is overstocked. I have added a little more sand. I have wondered if maybe the sand I have currently is bad or something because it came with the tank when I bought it from someone. The filter pad in the sump is specifically for nitrate. Bio balls are below that. Skimmer seems to work good except it gargles a lot sometimes and makes some weird noises every now and then. Nitrite, Ammonia, and Ph levels are all where they should be. Nitrate has just always been this high, and honestly everything is growing/living fine and it wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that the bubble algae is starting to take off.
The U-tube ...... this thing is killing me. An Air bubble forms towards the end of the tube, causing the water level to rise. I continuously have to check it and tap the tube up and down until the bubble moves out. But it always comes back. I need a permanent solution because the air bubble forms whenever it wants to and if I'm not home to catch it the water level can rise and overflow. (It has happened a few times)
Any suggestions on media to add in the sump that might help reduce nitrate? should I remove those sand tubes that have hair worms coming out of them? I have heard they are good for filtering the water. I have thought about adding some live plants but I don't have a light or specific area for that in my sump.
I am moving in 3 months so I'm not looking for any dramatic changes, just curious if anyone has some additional insight to these issues. let me know if the pics don't work.
-Jordan
My tank: (Pics Attached)
40 gal. tank running a wet/dry sump system. Octopus 100 HOB skimmer.
1 six line, 1 clown, 1 purple stripe dotty back, 1 small yellow tang
3 shrimp (Cleaner, Fire, & Peppermint), 2 starfish, (sand sifting and brittle), and plenty of snails.
My biggest issue is nitrate. I can't get it down. My test always comes back dark red, which is around 160ppm. I do frequent water changes, minimum feeding, and I don't believe my tank is overstocked. I have added a little more sand. I have wondered if maybe the sand I have currently is bad or something because it came with the tank when I bought it from someone. The filter pad in the sump is specifically for nitrate. Bio balls are below that. Skimmer seems to work good except it gargles a lot sometimes and makes some weird noises every now and then. Nitrite, Ammonia, and Ph levels are all where they should be. Nitrate has just always been this high, and honestly everything is growing/living fine and it wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that the bubble algae is starting to take off.
The U-tube ...... this thing is killing me. An Air bubble forms towards the end of the tube, causing the water level to rise. I continuously have to check it and tap the tube up and down until the bubble moves out. But it always comes back. I need a permanent solution because the air bubble forms whenever it wants to and if I'm not home to catch it the water level can rise and overflow. (It has happened a few times)
Any suggestions on media to add in the sump that might help reduce nitrate? should I remove those sand tubes that have hair worms coming out of them? I have heard they are good for filtering the water. I have thought about adding some live plants but I don't have a light or specific area for that in my sump.
I am moving in 3 months so I'm not looking for any dramatic changes, just curious if anyone has some additional insight to these issues. let me know if the pics don't work.
-Jordan