Denitrifying bacteria, how to grow it?

[dakota9]

I suppose that's possible, although I've gone a year without a skimmer and never experienced issues with nitrates.

If he had re-used the sand from the old tank, then his problem would easily understood in my opinion. I'm assuming the rock was in good/maintained condition, and that the water that was used is new...... Nothing indicating nitrates there.

 

[usctrack]

I have denitrator coils on each of my tanks. They are DIY an were easy to make.

 

[grouper therapy]

Dakota9;691988 wrote: I suppose that's possible, although I've gone a year without a skimmer and never experienced issues with nitrates.

If he had re-used the sand from the old tank, then his problem would easily understood in my opinion. I'm assuming the rock was in good/maintained condition, and that the water that was used is new...... Nothing indicating nitrates there.

OK . Not debating the whole skimmer thing just stating that might be part of the equation. The cycle that the tank may have went through with the fish he has, and the die off from the cycle could easily put the nitrates at that level. Using the new sand would actually add to the nitrates if die off occurred.

 

[grouper therapy]

Don't get me wrong Dakota you may be accurate that the readings are off .
we can find out when he responds.

 

[jinar]

Ok...
Problem : high nitrates
Cause: I did research and my guess is that it could be that I dint have enough denitrifying bacteria, which I'm trying to figure out why, by sharing this post.
Solution: ? Dunno... Again trying to figure it out by listening to u guys opinion on the matter...

I feed the anemone and fish every other day.

Edit: I agree that maybe I should be a little more patient but regal tang is showing signs of stress

 

[dakota9]

Have you used more than one test kit to test for nitrates?

 

[jinar]

No... I could take it to LFS to get water tested but have seen they use same API stuff. Why would it be a missreading? I have tested everyday and result comes back the same. Except after last water change when it went from 160 ppm to 80 ppm. Also my regal tang developed a lot of salt-like spots so isn't that an indication that something might be wrong ?

 

[dakota9]

Just for reference, I'd have it checked with another kit, then you've ruled out having a bad test kit.

 

[jinar]

I will try to do that. Meanwhile I think regal Tang has ich. what can I do for him?

 

[grouper therapy]

The Bio balls you are running will definitely help in the nitrification process but will do very little if anything for the de-nitrification. The live rock(especially very porous) and sand bed will produce anaerobic(De-nitrifing) bacteria since it thrives in low oxygen environment. Dakota is correct in that those types are maybe a little slower to colonize since they have to wait on a source of nitrates to convert to nitrogen gas. I personnaly don't think that your problem is insufficient surface for colonization of the DE-nitrifing bacteria. You would need more anaerobic areas and/or some other method of organic removal or nitrate exporting rather than conversion.

Edit:

Jinar;692011 wrote: I will try to do that. Meanwhile I think regal Tang has ich. what can I do for him?

Feed him well and keep the water clean is all I have had success with.

 

[dakota9]

^

Yeah, what he said

+ I'd ditch the bioballs in favor of another media

 

[jinar]

What kind of media? Would a regular sponge work?

 

[dakota9]

Live Rock Rubble

 

[misu]

I use Seachem Matrix (or Pond Matrix) in all my tanks, love the stuff