Best way to remove Nitrate?

W

westwind77

Member
I was curious what the best way to remove Nitrate is? I have done a lot of reading on the chemical breakdown chain process and from what I have read Live Rock and Live Sand do the best at breaking down Nitrate, is that true? I know Nitrates can be absorbed and used by 'good' algae as well, but I am not looking to go down that road right now.
Thanks!
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
Water changes, skimmers, macro algae. Live rock will hold bacteria that is part of the process but don't get rid of nitrates (the last step).
 
W

westwind77

Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3174421
Water changes, skimmers, macro algae. Live rock will hold bacteria that is part of the process but don't get rid of nitrates (the last step).
Water chages & Maco Algae I agree on..... however, i read that skimmers do NOT really remove Nitrate. The product/chemical AZ-NO3 will bond to the Nitrate then allow the skimmer to remove it, but not a lot without it, again, just what I have read a few different places.
 
al mc

al mc

Active Member
You might also consider vodka dosing. There are a couple threads floating around about it and if you do some googling you can find articles. Not for everyone but it is another suggestion.
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by westwind77
http:///forum/post/3174433
Water chages & Maco Algae I agree on..... however, i read that skimmers do NOT really remove Nitrate. The product/chemical AZ-NO3 will bond to the Nitrate then allow the skimmer to remove it, but not a lot without it, again, just what I have read a few different places.
skimmers dont remove nitrate, they remove the organics before they break down into nitrate.
as mentioned above water changes coupled with skimming will reduce your nitrates and reduce the reapperance of nitrates.
you can also add a DSB (deep sand bed) which denitrifies. there are a bunch of options available. you dont want to run macros so thats out.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3174421
Water changes, skimmers, macro algae. Live rock will hold bacteria that is part of the process but don't get rid of nitrates (the last step).
Good, mature LR will culture anaerobic bacteria that WILL eliminate nitrate by converting it to nitrogen gas. Nitrate reduction is one of the main reasons to use plenty of LR. Aerobic bacteria, which converts ammonia/nitrite to nitrate is easy to culture anywhere it can take hold and has good, oxygen-rich flow. Anaerobic bacteria is the opposite, it thrives in the inner, oxygen-poor areas of LR. The discovery that LR would eliminate nitrates was one of the big advances in making reef tanks possible.
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Al Mc
http:///forum/post/3174484
You might also consider vodka dosing. There are a couple threads floating around about it and if you do some googling you can find articles. Not for everyone but it is another suggestion.
vodka dosing is an effective method, but do not do it if you do not have a powerful protien skimmer.
if you want to check it out google this article
> Vodka Dosing...Distilled! <
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Yep I agree with this post too. Too many people try to find things to remove another thing. Smartest and most effective option is to remove the source of the problem.
If nitrates is the problem, water changes and less feeding is the first step. Another key is to make sure clean, nitrate-free water is being used.
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
I'm not the biggest fan of the "feed less" route. not to say its not valid, its a very effective method for controlling waste by-product. so is using better foods (aka no flake food, shouldnt be used in reefs anyway, too much phosphate and fillers and dyes IMO)
I think our reefs are underfed. I'm more in the "export more" camp. food availability in our closed systems cannot even approach the availability on the reef. IME the best coral growths I have expirienced have came when I was feeding extremely heavily (5 to 7 times a day) and exporting waste faster than it can become problematic. (hence my insane water change rituals, 25% a week and 50% once a month) coupled with a DSB fuge, macroalgaes, and a very large detritivore crews to help recycle fish waste/uneaten foods. that with my water conditions being almost completely stable from the large water changes not allowing any parameters to swing much. because of my recent crash I cant really use my tank as an example its still in recovery (the crash was from flea powder)
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Oh I totally agree. An example of one days worth of food for my filefish: 1 cube brine, one cube mysis, Rod's food, shaving of some fish flesh, flake and pellets. There are no nitrates in that tank. I remove the left overs before they break down and keep up on the water changes. It's a 20g.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3174943
and all these remedy's are for a nitrate problem of ?????????
perhaps with a reading of 160 mg/l he or she may need to start removing the dead fish
.....and on the other end: This may be a fish-only tank with nitrates of 40ppm, which is no big deal. So I agree with my Buddy Joe, how can folks help without the info?
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3174943
and all these remedy's are for a nitrate problem of ?????????
perhaps with a reading of 160 mg/l he or she may need to start removing the dead fish

Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3175036
.....and on the other end: This may be a fish-only tank with nitrates of 40ppm, which is no big deal. So I agree with my Buddy Joe, how can folks help without the info?
I have to agree with you both. Vodka is a bit drastic for a reef tank showing 5 and like mentioned above a FOWLR with a reading of 20 or so.
Tell us what you got..........
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/3175142
I have to agree with you both. Vodka is a bit drastic for a reef tank showing 5 and like mentioned above a FOWLR with a reading of 20 or so.
Tell us what you got..........
LOL...YEAHHHHHH TELL US TELL US what are your nitrates testing
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
it doesnt need to be a specific nitrate problem. the OP asked whats the best way to remove nitrate..... thats a complete question.
all we have done is mention ways to reduce nitrates. in my mind it doesnt matter if his nitrates are 100ppm or 5ppm the ways the export it are not going to change. he can look at our answers and choose the route that suits him/her best.
 
W

westwind77

Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3174403
what size tank do you have and what are your nitrate readings
They were around 25 using substrat pro with regular water changes. Changed 2/3 the media, 1/3 Matrix, 1/3 De*nitrate, & Nitrate spiked to close to 75 even with water changes. Light are off as hair algae is dying off. Purchased LR from a local person who was breaking down their tank, showed no signs of it until in my tank (
). NOT overfeeding, if anything underfeeding. Switching back to substrat pro next week. I have a feeling the Trates are from the dying algae. I have owned SW tanks before and NEVER had a Trate problem
. Also just saw this product too, not sure if it is any good (Natural Nitrate Reducer by Instant Ocean) I have 2 smaller tanks 37 & 18, with no issues. VERY close to breaking it all down, and starting from scratch with the tank. Serves me right for trying to save a $~!
 
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