Nitrate problem

pecco22 · Dec 10, 2010

Pickupman66 said: ↑

Socal,

Nitrates are a challenge for many reefers. the bacteria they require to be removed live in Anerobic environments (oxygen deprived). this is usually deep inside the rocks themselves. having more rock gives more of these areas, but with a high flow tank, it can be hard. in my experience, there are 4 ways I have seen to lower y our nitrates

1. Refugium or algae scrubber. here you use Macro algaes to pull the nutrients out of the tank.
2. Coil denitrator. in this method you ahve a long (60Ft) lenght of tubing with water slowly going thru it giving you an anerobic place for hte bacteria to colonize in the last part of the coil.
3. Carbon dosing with Vodka, Vinegar, or solid pellets
4. water changes. this removed them and basically dilutes their concentration in your tank.

I use Methods 2 and 3. I have ZERO nitrates on my tests. In addition, an old established tank (my 75 was 10 yrs old) can sometimes sustain itself.

Fish food -> Fish poo -> Ammonia -> Nitrite -> Nitrate -> Nitrogen gas exchanged at water surface
Click to expand...

+1 above post. I always had nitrate issues with an old 75. I added more rock and a Fuge, between both of these options I took my nirtate down to 0. I also built a Coil Denitrator, however never had to use it because of the other two options. IMO the canister filter is the most likely cause of your issues.

socal86 · Dec 12, 2010

glad to report that after a 10% water change friday and finding out my protein skimmer wasnt working correctly and fixing that my nitrates are now at 0!!! thanks for all the help everyone

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Nitrate problem

pecco22 Peppermint Shrimp

socal86 Fire Worm

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Nitrate problem

pecco22 Peppermint Shrimp

socal86 Fire Worm

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