Question for thoese with HIGH nitrate issues

Canister filter is adding to your problem when you have bad maintenance routines. Those things have to be cleaned avery 3 to 4 weeks or your parameters will spike.

 

Nature is doing it's thing. That's why you are having high nitrates. Nitrifying bacteria are converting Ammonia into Nitrite and then Nitrite into Nitrate. However, since you don't have any areas suitable for denitrifying bacteria to grow, the nitrates are just continuing to accumulate.

 

I agree with everyone on this. There is no way I would ever set up another tank with crushed coral. EVER! It's ok for a few months but then your tank just can't keep up with it. You really need to get rid of that stuff and either go Bare bottom or use fine sand. this will keep the waste on top of the substrate for your clean up crew to get to or flow to pick up and move to the skimmer that I'm assuming you don't have and really need. IMO you really need to find a way to do a sump set up and if not, you should get a couple of HOB skimmers and a Couple (or 1 really big one) hang on back refugium. Your tank is the perfect set up for a nitrate factory. On the bright side tho, fish aren't as sensative to nitrates as corals are.

 

I would have thought that the 2 denitrifying coils would be a sutable place. I was assuming/hoping that they would "fix it"

 

If you do a substantial waterchange or a series of smaller ones to get the Nitrates down to a manageable level, then they should be able to keep up. But if you're off the charts, it will be a long time for them to catch up, if ever, assuming you have the same fish and same routines.

 

I have talked to some ppl and they have stated that the coil denitrator wasnt working for them at all. In fact, it added to the problem instead of being the solution. When they un-installed it, the No3 came down. I dont know if they made it correctly or not, nor if the drip rate was right. Luna

 

My coil does not get rid of the nitrate problem totally, but keeps up with the waste production and my nitrates stay steady at 20 give or take 5. I have it running at about 200 drops per minute.

 

I will see what/how easy I can implement the advice ( thanks everyone). Loose the Crushed coral and go with sand.... much easier said then done, but I can make a plan to to that.

Right now, i have ~ 4 to 5 inches of CC, is that a good depth for sand ? or should I go much less ?

Loosing the canister filters, I have thought about it, worried.. but I might try it and see what happens.

OH and Thanks ! for the comments so far, if you have more thoughts, let me know I am open to ideas

 

Two inches of aragonite sand is optimal IMO. Anything more than 3 inches is considered a deep sand bed and you can have problems down the road.

 

If I remember correctly, the drip rate should be much less then that. If my memory serves me right, it should be 1 drip per second, which = to 60 drips per min. Luna