lowering nitrates

[mscarpena]

I have 2 reef tanks one 46 gallon and one 75 gallon. I do weekly water changes of 5 gallons each. The 75 gallon has a refugium with a turboflotor 1000 on it. The 46 has a refugium with a coral life ss 65. I plan to upgrade this to a octopus 150. I have nitrates of about 40-50PPM and use a seachem test kit. All tank inhabitants are doing very well growing/breeding. I am looking for a way to reduce these nitrates. Both tanks have caluerpa and a 3-4 inch sandbed. I am thinking of trying a nitrate reducing media like nitrex, Nitrate sponge, or denitrate. I am not looking to add a pure chemical some thing that will absorb nitrates, but then colonize anerobic bacteria. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to lower nitrates. I fed sparingly, but well 2 times per day. Switched from 3x to 2x, but no change. Any ones experince with any of these products would be greatly appreciated. Also are seachem test kits reliable?? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[teen]

2x a day is too much unless you have something that really needs it. like anthias.
are you runnig a wet dry filter? do you run any type of floss/ media? how old is the sand bed? how old are the test kits?

 

[mscarpena]

I have butterfly fish, clowns, gobies, mandrins. The test kit is new like just bought and not out of code date. I am not running a wet/dry, but have about 1.25LBS per gallon of live rock. 75 gallon is about 5 yrs old and moved it about 4 months ago and added some new sand. 46 gallon is about 14 months old. I do not have any filter floss or anything to trap nitrates like that. I have perfilter sponges, but rinse them. I do not rinse them as much as I should, but do not think that would do it. Do you think that would?? Thanks.

 

[rcoultas]

I fed sparingly, but well 2 times per day.
I agree with teen in that I think you are overfeeding - 2 times a day very light feedings would be ok. if the fish eat everything within a few minutes then they're good - if food is settling or going into filter then that becomes bioload.

 

[dcrawford]

In addition to less feeding, I would do a bigger water change. 5 gallons is not very much for the 75. Try 20%-30% and see what it reads. The combination over time should reduce the nitrates.

 

[mscarpena]

I increased my water changes to about 7-8 gallons per week. SO thats about 30 gallons per month on a 75 gallon. I would say my water changes are good right?? Also I do about a 50% water change per week on my 46 gallon and ahve the same problem so water changes are not the issue. I also checked the water change water and it was at 0 ppm nitrates so that is not the cause. I will still feed 2 times per day, but I will cut back the amount a little bit. There is not any food left over, but I will still cut back. My fish and shrimp are stealing the food from my corals because basically I feed my corals and whatever floats away my fish get to eat. I appreciate all your help, but again my questions is has anyone had any success with any Nitrate ruducing/bacteria colonizing media?? And again thanks for all your input.