Matt asked:


I have a 72g with a 20 gallon sump setup as a saltwater coral reef tank. I grow plants above my sump and ended up knocking a small plant pot over and about 1/2 cup of Miracle grow fell into my sump. I tried to get as much out before it circulated through my tank but some still made it to the display. How is this stuff going to affect my tank?

The ingredients of the soil are as follows:
Total Nitrogen – 0.21%(0.12% ammoniacal nitrogen & 0.09% nitrate nitrogen) Available Phosphate – 0.07% Soluable Potash – 0.14%.

I tested my Nitrates Amonia and PH about 20 minutes after I cleaned it all out of the sump. Nitrate 20ppm, Ammonia 0, PH 8.2. Not sure if the 20ppm nitrate is from the soil or not as I have been putting off doing a water change for over 2 weeks. I have chaeto/macroalgae in the sump and it’s supposed to help remove the nitrates. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am going to do a 20% water change tonight once I pick up some salt.

I have 2 small chromis, 2 small clowns, lawnmower blenny, cleaner shrimp, 2 peppermint shrimp, and a pistol shrimp that resides in the sump. 80lbs of sand, 75lbs of LR. All sand and rock was cured for at least 3 years before it made it to my tank. My tank is currently six months old. I have about 30 different corals, mostly softies and couple pieces of LPS and SPS. Please Help.
I have a bag of chemi pure (which is a high grad carbon) in my sump and its about a month old. Supposed to last 6 months. I will pick up a fresh bag to add to it.