Question for thoese with HIGH nitrate issues

I am pretty new to this site and I have messages with a few people for some great advice. My major issue is Nitrates, someone on the site used the term "blood red" for describing their test results ( Mine are the same). Off the chart...

I have 2 de-nitratifying coils set up for 3 months now. I have not done any water changes yet, as I was not sure if that will mess with the colis trying to cycle. I assume the coils are working.. I built them myself ( I thought about buying one from tangster just to make sure it's not user errors).

The 2 coils can be working, but my levels are so high, that I just can't see any results yet??? the outpout of the coils are also blood red.

My other levels are all perfect. Amonia is zero, Nitrites are zero, PH is normal.

With amonia being zero and Nitrites being zero will the cycle still "start"?

Soon I will be posting details of my setup, it's "involved" but that basic version is 220 gallons. I have mechnical filtration, UV starilizers and on a seperate pump the 2 coils.

So finally my quesion. do I just water change the heck out of my tank water until it's under 40? , or do I let nature work itself out?

I have also thought about increasing the water volume in the test tube by 10x's to see if I can calculate a true reading ( 10x the water with the same test solution, "should" test up to 2000 ppm? )

 

a refugium would probably help.

 

To fully understand your situation, we need to know some info;
1. How long has the tank been running?
2. Do you have any fish?
3. What kind of filtration system/s do you have? Luna

 

How many bubbles per minute is coming out of the coils?

 

Tank has been running for ~9 months, maybe 10
Lots of fish, no corals
~ 300 lbs of LR
no sump.. ( wish I did one from the start...)

Filtration:
under gravel filter ~ 5 inches of crushed coral ( 2 power heads)
2 Fluval FX 5's for mechinical filtration

 

it's close to the 1-ish drop per second.

 

"Under gravel filter(UGF)" like the ones used in FW? If so, thats your problem my friend. That and the CC substrate. I personaly never liked canister filters so you can guess imo. If you cant incorporate a sump/refug tank under the DT, I would at least set up a refugium and get rid of the UGF and CC and replace it with sugar sized sand. Luna

 

How often do you vacuum part of the CC?

 

clean the CC.. every now and there. maybe 4 times in the last 9 months.

I have been trying to go with the thought process of letting nature do it's thing.

 

Luna

I actually agree with not being a fan of canister filters. However they help off set bad habits and bad maintenance routines.

I am not sure how easily ( well the $$ ) of replacing all of the CC, but I can look into that. in your opinion, I should pull out the power heads/tubes and stop using the under gravel filter? ( not sure if I can get the plastic tray out of the tank, that's a LOT of disruption). do yuo think it's OK to leave it? if I have to pull it out, I will do what it takes.