nitrates

[tallyho]

I have a 150 gal fowlr with the ecosystem 200
(400 gal per hour over bioballs),2 inches of sand
(not live) only six relatively small fish and 3
anemones ...running since oct 2001...nitrates
have spiked up to 30ppm..will the additon of a
protein skimmer or some other additional filtration help keep this down.
rgds

 

[fender]

Protien skimmer could help. Increasing water changes, cleaning bioballs frequently, introduction of macroalgae(in main tank or sump), removing bioballs, DSB, reduction in feeding, etc could all help. A nitrate reading of 30 in a FO tank is not bad - not optimal - but not bad.

 

[dirtybilge]

Buy a 20 or better yet two 20 LBS pound bags of live sand a spinkle it over your existing sand, i promiss your nitrates will go down to half of what they are if not better. Then slowly take out bio filter media.

 

[tallyho]

I religiosly change 10 to 20% water every two weeks. I did change the foam filter which was pretty messy..think I have been over feeding.
once my nitrates go down, i plan to start adding
more fish so I believe I should leave the bio balls until I get the tank stable with the increased population.---Is the live sand and
bioball filtration incompatible?
Thanks

 

[rhomer]

Nope, the dsb breaks down nitrates into nitrogen gas. Your bioballs break down ammonia to nitrites, and nitrites to nitrates.