Any thoughts on high nitrates?

[stubbbs]

i have a 125g with 100lbs live rock and about 9 fish. nitrates are consistently around 15. any thoughts and other than frequent water changes, what can i do??? appreciate any advice. Thanks

 

[aquatica-tech]

Refugium, Remote Deep Sand Bed, frequent water changes... Theres many options

 

[1journeyman]

For a fish only tank that is an acceptable range for Nitrates.

 

[stubbbs]

i have some crabs, h. crabs, 30-40 snails and 2 anemones. should i be worried or still ok??

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by stubbbs
http:///forum/post/2465773
i have some crabs, h. crabs, 30-40 snails and 2 anemones. should i be worried or still ok??
They are not out of control. As stated though you may want to think about adding a refugium, a deeper sand bed, or doing more frequent water changes.

 

[stubbbs]

how deep should the sand bed be and sorry but iwhat s a refugium and would i set one up? sorry, i am new to the saltwater fish thing. thanks for the help.

 

[stubbbs]

how deep should the sand bed be and sorry but what is a refugium and how would i set one up? sorry, i am new to the saltwater fish thing. thanks for the help.

 

[ophiura]

When I see a post on high nitrates, I think...
100, 200...
Not 15

Not a problem, IMO...
Nitrates are a product of many things...stocking, feeding, export, etc
What are your fish, how often and what do you feed?

 

[al mc]

Refugium is an area where most people will cultivate macroalgae (plants)...Like Chaeto and Mangroves that use nitrate as fertilizer to grow. Thus, they take the nitrate out of your system. Most refugiums are build into peoples 'sumps' The refugium usually has good water flow through it and a light source for the plants.
Deep sand bed 4+ inches of sand. The depth of the sand allows for anerobic bacteria to propogate. These bacteria turn nitrate into nitrous oxide gas that 'bubbles' out of the system.
A good protein skimmer can also help control nitrate levels by remving organic debris.
All are excellent ways to reduce nitrate.

 

[chrgerondavins]

How do you make a refugium with a bioball filter?

 

[stubbbs]

thanks for all the great advice...i love this message board. way better than the LFS. Thanks again.

 

[sigmachris]

Cleaner clams are filter feeders that are supposed to lower nitrates as well.

 

[michaelf1478]

chould you make a fefuge out of an sump tank or whould that be a bad idea?

 

[jjgomillion]

Not trying to hijack your thread, but your last question is something I am wondering about too. I have a rapids pro ps3 sump (it has bio balls and filter media on one side and a skimmer on the other. I was wondering if it is a good idea to modify it with a baffle in the middle and take out the filter media to put in a fuge type area. Sand, chaeto, and what not would then go in. Any thoughts let me know please!!!
Jessica

 

[chrgerondavins]

Originally Posted by jjgomillion
http:///forum/post/2466474
Not trying to hijack your thread, but your last question is something I am wondering about too. I have a rapids pro ps3 sump (it has bio balls and filter media on one side and a skimmer on the other. I was wondering if it is a good idea to modify it with a baffle in the middle and take out the filter media to put in a fuge type area. Sand, chaeto, and what not would then go in. Any thoughts let me know please!!!
Jessica

I am also curious of her question.

 

[nereef]

micheal, jj, and charger, that would work fine. a fuge with macroalgae, imo, would be more beneficial than any filter media.