Nitrates Really High/Canister Filter Question...

capnbob

capnbob

Member
Howdy,
I've been having trouble with my Nitrates as of late. I have a 46 gallon tank with a Coralife Skimmer, Emperor 280, and tons of live rock. I also have two Maxi-jet 600's on either side of the tank attached to Hydor Flo water deflectors.
My Nitrates are between 80 and 160 PPM!
I've read a few articles on the internet and so I know that I need to be doing lots of large-quantity water changes and controll the amount of feeding. I know I'm not overfeeding, and I'm in the process of doing water changes.
I've also just purchased two Maxi-jet 1200's that I'll be swapping out for my 600's, which should help?
I asked my LFS about high Nitrates and the "expert" there suggested gettting a canister filter. He said that the Emperor 280 isn't enough for my tank.
I currently have the following in the tank:
Scarlet Hermit Crabs
Royal Gramma Basslet
Blue Devil damselfish
Four Stripe Damselfish
Red spotted Hawkfish
Bicolor Blenny
Coral Banded Shrimp
Serpent Starfish
Percula Clownfish
So, would I benifit from getting a canister filter?
-Bobby
 
airforceb2

airforceb2

Active Member
That "expert" should be shot. If you have tons of LR in your tank, you don't even need a filter. That emperor is simply a place to run carbon and turn water over in the tank. What are the rest of your test readings? How old is the tank?
Don't do large volume water changes. Do several small water changes. If you change out too much, you can shock the fish and the tank.
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
What kind of substrate do you have? Also how many hermiit crabs do you have? The ideal solution in the long run is to get your tank set up so that it does not need any external filtration. At least IMO. What I mean by this is that your tank is able to breakdown any type of food and waste that is in your tank without an external filter.
BTW I have a guess as to what type of substrate you are using, but let's see what the answer is.
Scott
 
airforceb2

airforceb2

Active Member
Originally Posted by Scotts
BTW I have a guess as to what type of substrate you are using, but let's see what the answer is.
Scott
I'll second your guess!!
 
mikeyjer

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by airforceb2
I'll second your guess!!

I'm thinking of the samething!!! But if he really want to cut down that nitrate, he should do small water change like it was mentioned above. I would do around 20-25% water change every 2 days to cut down nitrate. Now I have live rocks, I don't have that much of a problem with nitrates. So let's see what he says about the substrate.... :happyfish
 
capnbob

capnbob

Member
I have about 3/4 crushed coral and 1/4 live sand (the live sand it about 2 years old or so)
I took over the tank from a coworked about 3 months ago I think he has had it about 2-3 years prior.
The rest of the tank readings are fine and dandy.
I probably have at LEAST 10 hermit crabs. Probably around 10-15 I'd guess.
Thanks for the help.
-Bobby
 
flashardy

flashardy

New Member
Link Deleted *** You should have read the rules on this board more carefully.
ever think of one of these? I am currently selling on ---- for the simple reason is that I don't think ill need it in the next month. (I am going to set up a larger tank and don't think ill need it)
Check it out! I swear it works I have had 0 nitrate for as long as Ive had it! retails for 129.99
Just take a look! (I change my water every two months)
If you need more info or if you have a question contact
hardyflash@comcast.net
Thanks
 
mikeyjer

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by Capnbob
I have about 3/4 crushed coral and 1/4 live sand (the live sand it about 2 years old or so)
I took over the tank from a coworked about 3 months ago I think he has had it about 2-3 years prior.
The rest of the tank readings are fine and dandy.
I probably have at LEAST 10 hermit crabs. Probably around 10-15 I'd guess.
Thanks for the help.
-Bobby
Crushed Coral would be a cause of nitrate buildup! You should siphon the CC during water change. :happyfish
 
flashardy

flashardy

New Member
Originally Posted by Mikeyjer
Crushed Coral would be a cause of nitrate buildup! You should siphon the CC during water change. :happyfish

I have CC too and I find it not to be a problem at all! But yea siphon it! Probably help alittle bit.
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
For the record I, and others, knew that you had CC, but just wanted to confirm it. With CC what happens with the waste in your tank is the CC collects it and then it degrades from there. That is why you have high nitrates. With LS there are bacteria and other critters thave live in your LS that eats the waste and you have lower nitrates. Now there are people that have fine tanks with CC, however they do have to vacuum up the waste from the bottom of their tank often. You do not want to vacuum LS because then you are removing some of good critters from your LS. There are also many posts for people asking how to change from CC to LS. So you can see what I personally recommend.
I am sure you are thinking, yes but I have both so it is the best of both worlds. Unfortunately this is not true because they do not work well when mised together. The vacuuming for instance. I like to think of it as mixing water based and oil based paint together. Just does not work.
Something that might help you is the search button, top right, you can do your own search for Crushed Coral and Live Sand and learn more about this.
Not to flame anyone, but I would be leary of purchasing something who's first post here is to sell you something.
Sorry for the typos.
Scott
 
flashardy

flashardy

New Member
Not to flame anyone, but I would be leary of purchasing something who's first post here is to sell you something.
not trying to sell it to him personally!
Just thought he might want to check it out!
check out trt I have posted over 50! Or nano-reef Or just check out my ---- status!
I personally have CC like I said and this unit has done its job for me!
Never new this site had a message board!
flashardy
 
capnbob

capnbob

Member
If I get a sand such as "Southdown" am I going the wrong route? I'm one quite a budget (broke college kid...) and I'd much prefer not to have to spend the extra on true LS. What are the downsides to getting something like Southdown?
Thanks!
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
If you can get Southdown on this side of the country then good, go for it. So before you change anything a couple of questions. This tank was running for 2 years, then you got it. What did it have before? The CC and LS mix? Or just one or the other. BTW if you want to separate the CC and LS you can do that. You can use cheesecloth, a window screen, a colendar to filter out whichever one you want. Just keep in mind this is a big shock to your tank and not to be taken lightly or quickly. The good thing about using your old stuff is that it already has the good critters in it.
FL, you could be cool, but this site sometimes has people on there that are only here to sell stuff. Ya gotta be careful. BTW this site does not allow links to other websites. Just for future reference.
Scott
 
capnbob

capnbob

Member
Thanks Scott for the tips. As far as I know, the guy that had the tank before me always had a LS/CC mix. I didn't take the best care of it though, so I wouldn't be surprised if high nitrates went unnoticed. He says they've never gotten high though...
I've called every place in the phone book and no one in town has Southdown. Do you know of any other cheap solutions?
Thanks,
Bobby
 
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