Nitrates still high

[michael grady]

All...

I am reposting this question, as I have made some changes and a little progress.

I'm still new to this so looking for advice.

Set up: 120 gal reef, DSB, 100 lbs dead rock from Markos, 5 stage RO/DI water, a few pieces of live rock (10 lbs)

The tank was started about 4 weeks ago. About two weeks ago I added Turbo 900 as a culture and ammonia to get the cycle started. The ammonia reached 4ppm, and then within 3 days came down to zero. My Nitrites are at zero as well.

I started a refugium with macro algae about 5 days ago and over the past 5 days have done two 50% water changes.

Other than a small CUC, there is no livestock in the tank. Therefore I have not been running the protein skimmer.

Before the water changes and addition of the refugium, my nitrates were pegging the needle. Now they are in the range of 1-2 ppm.

Is there anything else I can do to lower the levels? Additonal water changes. Should I just wait longer? Also, given ideal is Zero, at what level can I add livestock?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[rdnelson]

First, run you skimmer. It will start to break in. They take a while to break in from what I have read. Second, while it is great to have 0 nitrates, anything below 20 is considered safe for fish. I think you could start with a fish or two.

 

[ichthyoid]

Michael,

You have done well, IMO!

FWIW- Fritzyme #9 is my favorite way to start.

Nitrate of 1-2 ppm is not too bad. If you never go higher than this you are doing well indeed.

Limiting livestock/bioload and feeding will help to control it long term.

If you would like to lower nitrate further there are several methods available.
-water changes (dilution)
-nitrate reactors (expensive)
-biopellets (one form of carbon dosing)
-liquid carbon dosing (such as vodka, calcium acetate, calcium ascorbate, vinegar, sugar, etc.)

If you decide to carbon dose, make sure to invest in a very good skimmer. Otherwise do not bother.
-JMHO

PS- you can begin adding fish now, but do so slowly (1-2 ata time). Allow several days in between, for the system/bacteria poulation to adjust to the increased bioload.

 

[michael grady]

Thanks everyone...can you tell me more about the nitrate reactors? Any particular you would recomend? I am controling the tank with an Apex.

 

[ichthyoid]

This is the one I have. Expensive but it works. Controls nitrate using methanol, with an option to control phosphate using strontium nitrate.

I used this on a 150 FOWLR with fabulous results! Healthiest tank I have ever had! Gazillions of pods... need I say more?

It will not interface to your Apex, and has a stand alone controller (basically a modified sprinkler controller).

FWIW- if you are a very good DIY kinda guy, I can tell you how to build one.

 

[michael grady]

Wow---750 bucks! That is pricey. I do a lot of DIY, and can't imagine a project much out of my reach. What do you suggest?

 

[ichthyoid]

michael grady;720590 wrote: Wow---750 bucks! That is pricey. I do a lot of DIY, and can't imagine a project much out of my reach. What do you suggest?

If you have a very good skimmer, then I would suggest either-

1) Carbon dosing (vodka).

I have also used a variation of this, but it's a little more complicated. It involves mixing lime+vinegar=calcium acetate. That is added to your top-off water, or dosed manually.

or secondly

2) If you desire to be less 'hands on' then you might try biopellets.

 

[michael grady]

where can i read about carbon dosing?

 

[skriz]

ichthyoid;720564 wrote: This is the one I have. Expensive but it works. Controls nitrate using methanol, with an option to control phosphate using strontium nitrate.

I used this on a 150 FOWLR with fabulous results! Healthiest tank I have ever had! Gazillions of pods... need I say more?

It will not interface to your Apex, and has a stand alone controller (basically a modified sprinkler controller).

FWIW- if you are a very good DIY kinda guy, I can tell you how to build one.

http://northcoastpets.com/denitrifying_filters.htm">http://northcoastpets.com/denitrifying_filters.htm</a>[/QUOTE]

Do they really want $750 for that DIY contraption with eggcrate? :yuk:

I'd recommend this one :D


[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/384251_251173408270807_100448986676584_645067_1302049580_n.jpg alt="" />

 

[ichthyoid]

I'll take one for $750...cash!

 

[ichthyoid]

michael grady;720657 wrote: where can i read about carbon dosing?

Start with these.

The first is a step by step with explainations. The second is from ARC threads by Mysterybox/Ralph, who is a past ARC-Tank of the Month winner, FWIW.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22849">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22849</a>

Also one for biopellets, which ends when the writers water becomes TOO low in nutrients. Be careful of this with either system, and go slowly.

[IMG]http://www.reefs.com/blog/2011/12/14/90-days-of-bio-plastics-use-my-observation/">http://www.reefs.com/blog/2011/12/14/90-days-of-bio-plastics-use-my-observation/</a>