Decreasing Nitrate
- Thread starter jamesp
- Start date
cyn
Member
If you want to keep the crushed coral/shell substrate, vaccum the devil out of it. The larger particle size traps debris and promotes high nitrate levels. Even with weekly vaccuming and light feeding, I was never able to get my trates to 0 untill I changed to a DSB. Now, even when I do overfeed, my trates remain 0.
HTH,
cyn
HTH,
cyn
kris walker
Active Member
A sump with a DSB and lots of macroalgae would work great.
sam
sam
nm reef
Active Member
Based on the info in your post I would say temporarily water changes to lower nitrate levels and control the bio-load/feeding to prevent build up.....long term I would suggest a DSB...skimmer...and if possible a refugium with additional dsb/caulpera.......nitrates of 80 is getting in the danger zone.......I'd be very concerned about toxic shock.........
twoods71
Active Member
There are several things that can be done.
You can add a protien skimmer if you dont already have one. If you do have one make sure it is working properly.
Regular water changes can do wonders to keep the nitrate population down.
Make sure you are using a clean water supply for top off and water changes. Many times tap water contains high levels of nitrate as well as other unwanted additives.
Dont over feed. As much as 90% of the food you feed can end up as nitrates. If you do find that food is making its way to the bottom of the tank make sure there are enough scavengers in the tank to clean it all up before it begins to decay.
You can add a protien skimmer if you dont already have one. If you do have one make sure it is working properly.
Regular water changes can do wonders to keep the nitrate population down.
Make sure you are using a clean water supply for top off and water changes. Many times tap water contains high levels of nitrate as well as other unwanted additives.
Dont over feed. As much as 90% of the food you feed can end up as nitrates. If you do find that food is making its way to the bottom of the tank make sure there are enough scavengers in the tank to clean it all up before it begins to decay.
angief
Member
I had the same problem, my nitrates shot up to 110. I went to the fs and he said it was because of the live sand. So I carried out 2 major water changes (50%) and the levels started to drop. I then followed that with 2 or 3 25% water changes and now there is only a trace of nitrates and nitrites. So much to say my tank has now settled down and my live rock is really alive now. It's amazing... 
kris walker
Active Member
RO water is not as good as deionized water (DI). My RO water I get typically has a 0.2 ppm phosphate.
EDIT: as I understand it.
sam
EDIT: as I understand it.
sam
clownman
Member
Surfin Sam, for the phosphate issue, check on the container you're using. Make sure it's food grade (EPA certified)
As to reduce Nitrate... just do all the above (Water Change with RO/DI water, DSB with calcium based substrate (ie. SOuthdown or Aragamax), Refugium full of Cualerpa and so on)....
R
CM
As to reduce Nitrate... just do all the above (Water Change with RO/DI water, DSB with calcium based substrate (ie. SOuthdown or Aragamax), Refugium full of Cualerpa and so on)....
R
CM
wamp
Active Member
Sam,
Thats alot of phosphate coming from an Ro. I would check the membrane if I were you. Mine has never been that high but then again I have never checked the input.
Yes RO/DI is better than just RO. But DI units add about 50$ to the cost. I have a DI and on my RO and would recomend them to all.
Thats alot of phosphate coming from an Ro. I would check the membrane if I were you. Mine has never been that high but then again I have never checked the input.
Yes RO/DI is better than just RO. But DI units add about 50$ to the cost. I have a DI and on my RO and would recomend them to all.
jamesp
Member
WOW! Thanks guys for all the input. I'm a newbie at this hobby, but love it!
I have been feeding the tank every other day with one cube of Ocean Nutrition products. I will now cut that back to every four days. Today I started my first section of switching over to live sand. In the process doing a small water change.
Thanks for all your help!
James
I have been feeding the tank every other day with one cube of Ocean Nutrition products. I will now cut that back to every four days. Today I started my first section of switching over to live sand. In the process doing a small water change.
Thanks for all your help!
James