nitrate reduction

sbauer86

sbauer86

New Member
I have a 16 gal bowfront and all the parameters are great except for nitrates. I am also having a spike in green hair algae. I have been doing 20% water changes a week with RO but was wondering if I could add anything (chemical or live) that would help. I am also curious as to whether or not RO or RODI water is best because I have heard contrasting opinions and the where to find the best deal a said system! Thanks for the help.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
What is in this tank (fish, corals, inverts, how much rock/sand)?
What do you use for filtration?
Do you run carbon/purigen or the like?
What do you feed, how much, how often?
Do you run a skimmer? If so, what brand?
I am never a fan of using chemicals, especially for nitrate reduction. Nitrates can and should be fixed without adding chemicals to the tank. As for water, I prefer RODI, but used RO for a very long time. RODI is supposedly better for corals. I have not noticed much difference, but I live in an area with very good tap water quality to begin with.
 
sbauer86

sbauer86

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340306
What is in this tank (fish, corals, inverts, how much rock/sand)?
What do you use for filtration?
Do you run carbon/purigen or the like?
What do you feed, how much, how often?
Do you run a skimmer? If so, what brand?
I am never a fan of using chemicals, especially for nitrate reduction. Nitrates can and should be fixed without adding chemicals to the tank. As for water, I prefer RODI, but used RO for a very long time. RODI is supposedly better for corals. I have not noticed much difference, but I live in an area with very good tap water quality to begin with.
As of now it's only a small amount of corals because all my fish died over a course of a few weeks but my corals didn't (i know weird) but have about an inch of sand and plenty of rock, but am thinking about swapping some of the live rock out for new pieces. I run 2 aquaflow 20's which have a carbon stage and a small UV sterilizer but am probably going to take it out because it was a cheap one and I don't think it's doing anything. Since it is corals only I feed tigger pods and phytofeast 4-5 times a week. No skimmer but don't have an issue with protein buildup. I don't like using chemicals either so I was thinking there might be a nudibranch or shrimp or crab that would be beneficial. My mushrooms, zoas and feathers are doing great though...
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I agree that a small UV is probably not doing anything.
High Nitrate + hair algae is typically more than just coincidence.
First thing I would advise is to stop feeding Phytoplex. You probably have nothing in the tank that will benefit from an increased source of phyto. The Diatoms in the tank will usually be more than enough to feed filter feeders that need Phyto. This is most likely your primary source of Nitrate.
Do you have the ability to add on an algae scrubber?
You will have better odds of success with a skimmer. You mention no excess protein but you didn't mention what the current Phosphate level actually is.
What other equipment do you have for circulating water?
 
sbauer86

sbauer86

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340319
I agree that a small UV is probably not doing anything.
High Nitrate + hair algae is typically more than just coincidence.
First thing I would advise is to stop feeding Phytoplex. You probably have nothing in the tank that will benefit from an increased source of phyto. The Diatoms in the tank will usually be more than enough to feed filter feeders that need Phyto. This is most likely your primary source of Nitrate.
Do you have the ability to add on an algae scrubber?
You will have better odds of success with a skimmer. You mention no excess protein but you didn't mention what the current Phosphate level actually is.
What other equipment do you have for circulating water?
I actually am not sure what the phosphate level is. My API test kit doesn't test for it. The circulation mainly comes from he dual filters and UV but I am thinking replacing the UV with a powerhead or skimmer would be more beneficial. I don't think I have room for both a skimmer and powerhead though.Would one or the other be adequate or do I need both?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I'm torn on what would be more useful between skimmer or powerhead. If you increase your water changes from 3 gallons a week to 5 gallons a week you could replace some of the function a skimmer provides.
You should definately have more waterflow one way or the other if you want corals.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
IMO, you're feeding too much. Fish dying is not good. Get a phosphate test kit, or have a LFS double check all your water parameters.
How often do you change the carbon?
I would get a powerhead and just increase the water volume during water changes as Bang Guy suggested. I hardly ever use skimmers on tanks less than 40G.
If you had to make a rough estimate, how many pounds of rock do you have?
What do you have in the way of a Clean up crew (snails, shrimp, crabs, etc)?
 
sbauer86

sbauer86

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340373
IMO, you're feeding too much. Fish dying is not good. Get a phosphate test kit, or have a LFS double check all your water parameters.
How often do you change the carbon?
I would get a powerhead and just increase the water volume during water changes as Bang Guy suggested. I hardly ever use skimmers on tanks less than 40G.
If you had to make a rough estimate, how many pounds of rock do you have?
What do you have in the way of a Clean up crew (snails, shrimp, crabs, etc)?
Powerhead it is! I change the carbon ever other month. I would say about 10-13 pounds of rock and 1 conch, 2-3 nessarius, 3-5 cerith, 3-5 nearite, 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 emerald crab.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'm in agreement with Bang. More frequent water changes could negate skimmer. Stop the phyto feeding, way to much over feeding, and definitely a phos issue as well.
 
sbauer86

sbauer86

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340471
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbauer86 http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340466
I'm curious as to why my fish died but my corals are doing great...No sign of ich or anything....
What type of fish? How were they acclimated?
2 perculas, bicolor blenny, canary blenny and a fairy wrasse. I think the clowns were dripped and the others were bag in tank...but they were in there for months to a year.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
That's a lot of fish for a 16 gallon tank. About two too many in my opinion. How much time did you wait between fish before introducing the next fish?
 
sbauer86

sbauer86

New Member

Quote:Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340488
That's a lot of fish for a 16 gallon tank.  About two too many in my opinion.  How much time did you wait between fish before introducing the next fish?
 
Really? 5 fish too much for 16 gal.? I always thought 1/2 inch per gal. I think the clowns were put in together and the others were at least a month or two apart.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbauer86 http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340527
Really? 5 fish too much for 16 gal.? I always thought 1/2 inch per gal. I think the clowns were put in together and the others were at least a month or two apart.
This rule really doesn't fit for saltwaterfish, and for freshwater, it's more of a 1 inch per gallon rule.
Anyways, a bicolor and a Canary blenny in a 16G tank spells trouble, so that was an issue.
How old are your test kits and what brand?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbauer86 http:///forum/thread/382607/nitrate-reduction#post_3340527
Really? 5 fish too much for 16 gal.? I always thought 1/2 inch per gal. I think the clowns were put in together and the others were at least a month or two apart.
I advise new hobbiests to stick to something like one inch of fish per five gallons of display tank. Experienced hobbyists have no need of such a guideline because they already understand that overcrowding kills fish.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I have a 16 gallon bowfront and I house 2 demon damsels in it and 2 murderous crabs. Another thing to keep in mind, is that the water parameters in nano tanks are extremely sensitive. They must be monitored closely, have a good maintenance routine with proper water changes, not over fed or overstocked. A larger tank is more stable since their is a larger water volume to dilute the pollutants.
 
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