what filtration should I add to the tank to bring down nitrates?

Ok guys, my reef is a few years old now, stable and I don't really have any problems, other than some hair algae in spots. Not a real big deal, but I want to bring the nitrates down to improve my water chemistry.

I can't tell you exactly where it is ATM, but I know there is room for improvement, and I have the disposable income to spend on a new filter.

I am considering either a bio pellet reactor or a turf algae scrubber.

Currently I have a weak refugium and an old protein skimmer. Both of which are getting upgraded as well.

Of course I will get a test kit and document the process. Might do that tomorrow.

 

It is possible that the skimmer upgrade (more removal at source) along with improvement in the fuge, will bring your nitrates down to where you want them

so I would do those 1st , combined with water changes of an increased qty to what you do now ( reduction of existing nitrates)

also a blasting of the rockwork to remove trapped detritus prior to said water changes
the dirtier you can make the bucket of waste water you collect, the more value you get from the water change

I would run with just the above for a few weeks and see where you get to

thereafter, a pellet reactor would be my choice
simply because I have had experience with a pellet reactor and witnessed the effectiveness, but as yet, I have no experience with a algae scrubber

Steve

 

Not to change the subject, but I'd love to see a picture of your sump to get some ideas of my own. I've been asking myself the same question (How can I lower my trates even better than they are) I'll be following this thread, and I'm glad you plan on documenting the progress. Thanks in advance.

 

Attached is a picture of the lack luster display and the mild performing sump. The sump is a very simple 4 chamber design. The water flows over all the glass baffles. There are no bubble traps or other such nonsense. Its pretty straight forward water enters the first chamber on the right, then the skimmer, then refugium, then the return pump in the last chamber.

Steve- I hate doing water changes that's what I am trying to avoid. ;D

 

I hate doing water changes as well, but I find them necessary simply because I don't have a protein skimmer. I would still do them though to replenish trace elements that had been used up and it only seems natural to me. The reason I say this is because in the ocean there are always currents bring new water into the reef. I have read threads where people were successful without doing water changes though.

 

ATS all the way