How long for Chaeto to reduce nitrates?

woody189

woody189

Member
Very simple question.
My 46 gal FOWLR always has some nitrates...usually about 20
I recently added a sump/fuge. 10 gals, but about 7 gals of water.
I added some Chaeto, but I'm wondering how long it takes for the trates to begin to go down.
I've had it running for maybe 2-3 weeks, but my trates are still at 20. I know 20 isn't bad for a fowlr, but I'm planning on upgrading to reef soon, and want to get them as low as possible.
thanks.
 
gmann1139

gmann1139

Active Member
You're about the time where it starts to make a difference. I'd give it another 3 weeks until I started to get concerned.
Has the chaeto been growing at all? Usually you'll see a strand or two that wasn't there to start.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2965498
You're about the time where it starts to make a difference. I'd give it another 3 weeks until I started to get concerned.
Has the chaeto been growing at all? Usually you'll see a strand or two that wasn't there to start.
Ok. Thanks. I just had no idea whatsoever if it's something that'll begin to work in a few days, or if it takes weeks/months.
I'll just keep waiting. I think it is growing BTW.
Thanks for the real quick response.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
A few factors to take into consideration.Are you adding trates faster than your cheato can consume them?How much cheato do you have?
If you tank husbandry involves over feeding, over population...... and your tank dosent have the needed means to remove/reduce them ,then your fighting a losing battle.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by joe 09
http:///forum/post/2966077
those rates are not bad for a fowlr,any thing less than 50 is ok.
I know their not bad, but reducing them can't hurt. I plan on going reef pretty soon, so I'm trying to get all my levels right now (including Ca and Alk)
Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2966118
A few factors to take into consideration.Are you adding trates faster than your cheato can consume them?How much cheato do you have?
If you tank husbandry involves over feeding, over population...... and your tank dosent have the needed means to remove/reduce them ,then your fighting a losing battle.
I only have 4 small fish right now, and don't think I overfeed them at all. Especially not lately. I bought a 1/2 a bag (the bag fish come in).
I'm not too concerned. I start worrying in a few weeks if they don't go down like Bob said. If they don't go down, I'll add a little more, or add a stronger return pump to get water moving through the FUge faster. (I have a very weak pump right now)
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by xcdennisx
http:///forum/post/2967284
jus give it a week or so. cheato grows so fast that you wouldnt need to waste more money on it.
I'll do that. I havn't tested recenlty, so for all I know, they could already be down.
 
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