Re: nitrate 40 ppm & red algae

Frank,

The one MAJOR thing you are missing in your equation is a skimmer. Oh had I remembered this .... MacNGrief (please excuse the liberity) was somewhat correct in chastising me for not starting our with one.

The sooner you get one the sooner you will be a much happier camper.

Now, I remember when for $19.95 at your LFS you could buy a stone operated skimmer, all you had to do was supply the pump and a bit of hose. And it was small compared to what is used today. But it worked. So if the budget calls for a stone powered skimmer (you supply the air pump and hose), don't be ashamed or afraid. They worked 35 years ago and I don't think the laws of physics, biology, and chemistry have changed much since then. However, if you have the jingle, go with a needle driven pump design. It produces a finer mist than a venturi. However, those designs that I know of are German and cost me more than a sump and a venturi skimmer combined!!!! So I went the sump/venturi route. And I am right now a happy camper. If my nitrates get too high, I will add some live rock to the sump. If it stays up there, I will start replacing the subsurface bioballs with coral rubble. That should provide less bioball surface and more internal quasi anaerobic environment.

However, I am running a canister with one level of pads, two levels of lava rock, and one level of charcoal along with the rest, mostly using it as another flow producer for the tank. That should provide the trick.

You will see improvement 24-48 hours after starting up the skimmer. And then you will see all the junk that was turning into ammonia/nitrites/and then into your 40ppm nitrates. You should see your nitrates fall.

And your red algae will become coraline, in a perfect world ....

Cheers,
Ray

 

skimmer skimmer I need a skimmer . Thank you guys for all the input i will be looking into skimmer soon. I have also gotton other info from all the replies like the turkey baster great idea.

 

I heard someone here say to not use your canister for a week or so. Be sure you drain it and leave it open between using. If you let the water sit in one for just a few hours without running you could kill your livestock with the amonia/nitrate concentrate soup that brews while the pump is off.

Jay

 

Oh my goodness Jay!  I surely am glad I happened to read your post. I set up my magnum 350 a week or so ago for the first time to help clean up my water. I turned it off when the filter got dirty and everything is still sitting there as it was. I was waiting to get a new filter which I just did, and then I was going to start it up again with carbon. I was wondering whether to drain the tubes or not and had about decided it wouldn't make any difference. From what you say I was close to killing my livestock.

Thanks Jay! I'll go drain it now before I change out the filter.

Peeee-Uuuuuuu!! I just drained it and I couldn't believe how badly it smelled. I have the parts soaking in vinegar water. I'm not quite sure how will be the best way to clean out the hose.

Thanks again for the warning! It even smelled deadly!!

Cindy

 

This is the Jebo I'm using on my 72 and 55. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46310&item=4351004070&rd=1 After getting it dialed in it works fine. It's supposed to be good for 180 gal. $45 with the pump shipped or there is another available with no reserve.

 

nope have not shut filter down was going to try skimmer. Just trying to decide wheter to go cheap or save up. Thinking of going cheap and saving the cheap one for back up later on. thanks again all!!!!
p.s. has anybody checked out my sump design looking for some input.http://www.3reef.com/uploads/size.jpg2.jpg

 

After reading all the repllies going to first get skimmer before building sump.

 

Blade runner thing of trying the jebo for a temporary fix sounds like your is working ok amd ok is better than zero skimmer.