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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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07-30-2006, 08:36 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 51
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Hmmm...
Other than water changes, any other ways to *reduce nitrate?
*Kill
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07-30-2006, 08:48 PM
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#2
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The Bitter Mod
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,586
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feed less
/edit That wasn't completely accurate. While feeding less will help to prevent excess nutrients which lead to nitrates it will not lower them. You could try a remote dsb/dsb in a bucket. Other than that start changing water until you get it under control.
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07-30-2006, 08:54 PM
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#3
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Shark
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: new york city
Posts: 7,347
Reviews: 40
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Ok I'm having the same nitrate prob. I cut back on feeds from everyday to every other day. I removed my bio balls and all sponges about 2 weeks ago. No drop yet(44ppm). I also just ordered a ro unit from ebay. I believe its the tap water so I'm hoping the ro unit will drop them. I will tell you what didn't work for me. I ordered Al-Gone on line all it did was kill my Zena then I tried Pura_nitralock it didn't work either. Good Luck! If you find something that works PLEASE let me know.
Patrick |
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07-30-2006, 08:55 PM
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#4
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Fish Killin' Reef Keeper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlantic Beach, FL
Posts: 358
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Skim more and try some Macro algae....Remove any sponges/filter pads that will trap them.
Takes time to do.....Oh and Feeding less like said will certainly help.
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07-30-2006, 08:57 PM
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#5
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Fish Killin' Reef Keeper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Atlantic Beach, FL
Posts: 358
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You will always have nitrate/phosphate and subsequently algae problems if you continue to use tap water. My tap water has a TDS of about 450ppm, but the RODI water has zero.....
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Old enough to know better, Too young to resist.
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07-30-2006, 11:45 PM
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#6
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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water changes two times a week at 10%, cutting the feeding back to once a week, skimming, and more flow... is what i did.
imo - any of the additives that say that they remove nitrates don't work. or, at least, didn't work for me.
i also had too much livestock in the tank... had to reduce that too.
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07-31-2006, 07:15 AM
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#7
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Shark
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: new york city
Posts: 7,347
Reviews: 40
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I got a great deal on the ro unit I ordered on ebay. A portable unit that you can just hook up to you sink faucet. It only ran me about 70 bucks with shipping and has standard sized filters. The saller has 99% approval ratings. I also had a few of the members here check it out before I bought it. If your interested drop me a privet message and I will send you the link. They also have other ro units a great prices!
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07-31-2006, 09:08 AM
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#8
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Stinky Slimey FEESH
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,188
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Hey Zacho, where are you in Dallas? I am up near the big airport, and my LFS is Dallas North Aquarium......Dallas tap water is pretty good but I read in the paper where they just added ozone to a bunch of the treatment plants. I would definitely invest in an RO/DI unit, the best thing I ever did for any of my tanks. Nitrates take a long time to subside, they are the final stop on the cycle. Try running a little reef carbon in your sump or in a reactor, it will help - and water changes too. Sorry I can't be of more help.
HHC
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07-31-2006, 09:12 AM
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#9
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York City area
Posts: 2,758
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Keeping sand beds/ bottoms clean, Having less fish, Basting live rock, upping the tanks flow to lift detridus into the skimmer, wet skimming,
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07-31-2006, 10:31 AM
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#10
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,150
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What john said, that all helps, water changes need to be frequent and large, if you are doing small water changes 10-20% once or twice a week its going to take a LONG time to effect the nitrate levels esp with a typically stocked and fed tank.
If you are changing to RO from tap water thats going to help , depending on the nitrate level in your tap water to begin with. I would suggest 25% water changes every 3-4 days and plan on it taking about a month to drastically lower and stabilise an low nitrate levels
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07-31-2006, 10:43 AM
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#11
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newton, NC
Posts: 473
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Are you looking for an easy fix?
A quick fix?
First of all everyone here is going to say waterchanges...and I agree. In the future you should do more of them and your nitrates will stay down.
I, on the otherhand, am lazier than most and I recommend giving a strong dose of PRIME by Seachem. Everyone here is going to complain...listen to me...it'll cloud your water a little bit, but it'll work (but only as a quick fix). It will detoxify your nitrate. In the future keep up with the water changes.
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07-31-2006, 11:22 AM
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#12
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York City area
Posts: 2,758
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by DrFish33
Are you looking for an easy fix?
A quick fix?
First of all everyone here is going to say waterchanges...and I agree. In the future you should do more of them and your nitrates will stay down.
I, on the otherhand, am lazier than most and I recommend giving a strong dose of PRIME by Seachem. Everyone here is going to complain...listen to me...it'll cloud your water a little bit, but it'll work (but only as a quick fix). It will detoxify your nitrate. In the future keep up with the water changes.
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That doesnt do anything but mask up the nitrates...... It doesnt take care of where the problem is really coming from like detridal build up,or too many fish, sure it will detox but it will eventually come back without proper tank husbandry.
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J
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07-31-2006, 12:16 PM
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#13
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Nucular Hermit
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Takoma Pk, MD
Posts: 2,172
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Live rock is a great denitrator. Do you have enough?
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65g acrylic tank with 520W PC
Basement Sump w/ EuroReef CS6-1
My TRT Blog
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07-31-2006, 12:27 PM
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#14
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Shark
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: alpharetta, GA
Posts: 2,555
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i agree with zxcv.
how many fish do you have?
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07-31-2006, 01:22 PM
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#15
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newton, NC
Posts: 473
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See...I told you what everyone would say. They are all one track minded. Listen, if you want your critters to live, then add the Prime. In a few days do a water change. Do your water changes more often. I've always heard 10% every week. I would try this and see if you can get your levels down over time, but for NOW...Prime is the answer. These other people are correct...when talking long term answers, but thinking short term I am correct.
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