NITRATES HELP!!

[NUGIO]

HELLO ALL NEWBIE HERE. IVE GOT TONS OF ?. HOPE YOU CAN HELP.PROBLEM. IVE GOT A WET DRY FILTER THATS BEEN UP FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF IN A 135 GAL. IVE GOT SOME LIVE ROCK.NO SKIMMER YET.COUPLE OF FISH ,I CANT SEEM TO GET THE NITRATES DOWN TO LOWER LEVELS, WITH WATER CHANGES .IS THIS NORMAL? IF NOT WHAT CAN I DO WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT MORE $ PLEASE HELP ANY ADVICE WILL BE GREATLY APPRIECIATED!

[Chuck S]

Okay Calm down and turn off the caps key /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Now how bout explaining the setup more. Are you going to have a fish only or a coral tank. How much live rock? I am wondering as in a tank with corals there is no use of a wet/dry as these are nitrate factories. The live rock is the filter.

[NUGIO]

Caps off /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I started out as a fish only due to indaquate lighting.But I was fortunate enough that my wife let me buy my lighting ....,3 400w mh 10k 2 65w atinic pc 2 65w 10k daylight pc. so now Im going (attempting) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif a coral tank.Ive only got about 30# of rock so far.how much more do I need before I can get rid of the factory.do I still need a skimmer? if so what size.What would I do w/the w/d filter. Use it as a sump just to put the skimmer in with out the bio balls?

[Chuck S]

Yes you will need a skimmer and only need to run the lighting if at all at this point a few hours here or there. I would do aggressive skimming and water changes through the cycle. You will need to add at least 100 more pounds of rock though. Suggested Live Rock usage is 1 to 1.5 pounds a gallon depending on the type.