How can I remove nitrates?

[27mtaylor]

I have CC as a base so I'm fairly sure that is the root of my problem. My nitrates are at 40ppm, while my ammonia and nitrites are non existant. For the last month, I have been doing 25% weekly water changes and the nitrate level seems to remain the same. How can I lower my Nitrates without changing out the base to live sand? Would adding xenia help with my problem? Is there any help or should i bite the bullet and replace the CC with sand?

 

[dragonladylea]

I bit the bullet last month and couldnt be happier, nitrates much easier to control and I really like the look.

 

[schadiest1]

i too have switched to sand from CC, it was quite the task, but it had to be done.
are you stirring up you CC to remove fish poop and left over food?

 

[gmusick]

Adding Xenia won't do anything to help you. There are several things that you can do, with some easier than others.
1. Change you CC base to a deep sand bed, 4" or greater. CC traps particulate matter that will greatly increase the amount of nitrates in your water, through the cycle of the matter causing an ammonia spike, the nitrites feeding off the ammonia and the nitrates feeding off the nitrites.
2. Add a refugium, or at minimum, at macroalgae to your tank. The macroalgae will filter out the nitrates in your tank. I recommend chaeto as a good macroalgae that won't cause a lot of problems with your filtration.
3. Add a nitrate sponge to your filter. This works well, until the nitrate sponge fills up, so this would have to be changed often.
4. Do frequent water changes.
5. I am not sure how many fish you have in your aquarium, but you can reduce the amount of fish in your tank.

 

[qreef]

I would go with gmusick option #2

 

[27mtaylor]

Originally Posted by Schadiest1
i too have switched to sand from CC, it was quite the task, but it had to be done.
are you stirring up you CC to remove fish poop and left over food?
I use one of those gravel sifting siphons when I remove the water. I feel like I remove a lot of the waste by doing this, but I still can't get under my live rock with it. I guess you could say that I clean half the CC when I do a water change.
On another note, what is macroalgae? I've heard a few things about it, but I'm not clear on what it is or does?

 

[qreef]

by the way, your test kit could be the problem, try to take your tank water to LFS for them to test and compare the result

 

[schadiest1]

macro algae will use up nitrates and phosphates, that's what it feeds off of.
http://link violation/

 

[fishamajig]

Adding Xenia won't do anything to help you. There are several things that you can do, with some easier than others.
xenia is used as a nutrient exporter but you are far too bad to add xenia now, at 40 ppm it would damage any coral added to the tank at this point. xenia is used in refugiums due to its ability to thrive in nutrient rich environments, and nutrient exporter.
1. Change you CC base to a deep sand bed, 4" or greater.
this is a good idea and would have to agree completely. I am not from the deep sand bed school but it does make things easier as far as controlling nitrates, siniking phosphates, and addng a substrate that allot of microfauna can survive in.
2. Add a refugium, or at minimum, at macroalgae to your tank. The macroalgae will filter out the nitrates in your tank. I recommend chaeto as a good macroalgae that won't cause a lot of problems with your filtration.
adding a fuge is good in a perfect world, but is not necessary. if you have the space for it and the lighting and ect. why not. more gallons added to the system the more it dilutes the bad stuff. but this isnt always practical. I do not recommend adding cheato to the tank. the stuff grows fast and dosent look that good, and can trap detritus itself. you want a nutrient export not a gatherer. and even when you think you finally got it all out of your tank think again. there is always a piece growing here or there. it can be frusterating.
3. Add a nitrate sponge to your filter. This works well, until the nitrate sponge fills up, so this would have to be changed often.
not a bad idea, but you can accomplish the same thing with carbon, and a poly filter.
4. Do frequent water changes.
BEST ADVICE!!!!! frequent water changes with ro/di water is the key. if you want to get rid of trates this is the best thing. and your fish and coral will love you for it.
you did not mention what type of skimmer you have. this is important. if you are not removing organic matter before it brakes down you are never going to get ahead. make sure you have a really good skimmer.
and cut down on feeding if you feed allot. the fish will live and it makes less waste to break down into bad stuff.
hope this helped.

 

[27mtaylor]

I'm running a skilter 250 with a wooden airstone in the bottom. I hear they are not the best thing, but it is producing a lot of nasty water. All this info is great! It should get me in the right direction. If there is anything else y'all can think of, I would love to hear it. Thanks!

 

[fishamajig]

buy a decent skimmer. it is a saving grace
a skilter, seaclone, or prizm aint going to cut it. I have an airstone skimmer and it works good but it must be bigger than the skilter one.

 

[mombostic]

Changing to the sand isn't that bad if you plan it out and make sure everything is organized to go smoothly. Someone to help makes it easier, too. I did it by myself. It really wasn't that bad, and boy am I glad I did it. I think as far as a long-term solution goes, that's the best answer. There are some people on here who say, "I've had cc for ten years" etc., and how you have to stay on top of cleaning and all of that. I can tell you I did about a 15% water change EVERY WEEK, which included syphoning the cc as well as I could around all of my live rock. I still had problems with higher-than-average nitrates and some nuisance algae had started to grow. I was not overstocked and I cut back feeding. The only thing that really solved the problem rather than just masking it was getting that cc out of there! Once again, some one will definately speak up and say that I'm wrong, but I'm telling you what worked for me.
Good luck, and if you decide to change, there are some very informative threads on here.

 

[27mtaylor]

So what skimmer would you recommend? I have a 46 gallon bow tank. I would like to get a really good one, but I also have to keep in mind that I'm on a budget.

 

[fishamajig]

i got an mtc airstone on tank skimmer and it was about $150.00. people are going to tell you about all their preferences. the newer needleweal skimmers are pretty good. do some reaserch on this site in the drygoods section to get ideas.

 

[jupoc911]

I know it is a bit pricy but the cpr hang on refugium with the protein skimmer is absolutly great. The skimmer for me atleast works better than a aqua c and it gives you places to add macroalgea too. I think you can get one for 280.00. I think it would be a good investment if you are limited on space or dont feel comfortable doing your own plumming.

 

[crzyfshygy]

Askimmer will help but you must vacume the cc. i had cc for about 9 months and Nitrates were always 10-15 ppm You can have low nitrates with cc.
I did eventually switch though