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nitrate fix ? ?????

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by gearhead, Aug 22, 2012.

  1. gearhead

    gearhead Inactive User

    271
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0

    i have had my tank up for almost a year and never had a problem /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif //but then i moved the rock in my tank and now im having problems with ph and nitrate/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/unsure.gif ,i ordered a to fish reactor and im going to run biopellets in it was told it would help also ive been treating with vodka about 2ml evey other day its coming down but not very fast ///looking for any advice or equipment that might help ,,, if it helps im running a 75gal on a canaster filter i think like a marineland 360 also have a tunzi skimmer , 1250 fan, 550 powerhead,550fan,and 1100 rio under my reef with a t on top spraying under my reef ,,the other problem is i dont have much room so compact is good ,,,,,,,,,thanks
     
  2. hart

    hart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    730
    Ratings:
    +131 / 0 / -0
    From what I know carbon (vodka and pellets) take quite a long time to work - I have used them and like both, but they are slow. How much nitrate? I would guess carbon takes a month or so to really work and you have to adjust the amount you use too. In a different tank I use chaeto in a fuge and have never had a nitrate problem.
     
  3. bladerunner Well-Known ReefKeeper

    476
    des moines
    Ratings:
    +9 / 1 / -0
    Do you have a skimmer?
     
  4. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
     
  5. Salty

    Salty

    165
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Chaeto, chaeto, chaeto! It works wonders. When I inherited an established tank it had nitrate over 150. After water changes to get it down to a manageable level I added chaeto and it went down to 0 and has stayed there. Not sure where your at but I have some if your interested. Otherwise you can get it at most lfs for like $10. It might take a couple weeks to take off but once it does it grows fast and consumes nitrates like crazy.
     
  6. Kungpaoshizi Well-Known ReefKeeper

    561
    davenport
    Ratings:
    +39 / 1 / -0
    What's the depth on your sandbed? What kind of sand? You only have the can, so no fuge? Any macro algae in the DT?
     
  7. rbp4135

    rbp4135 Inactive User

    131
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0

    Options as I see them:


    1: Increase water changes (wont fix the problem but will keep levels down)

    2: Decrease feeding ( less waste)

    3: BioPellet reactor (will take about 30 days to get up and running, + you need to have the affluent from it dump to a skimmer)

    4: Algae Turf Scrubber (will also take several weeks to become functional)

    5: Organic Carbon dosing (Also takes time + can be unruly and bacterial blooms if OD'd)

    I would also look at taking the canister offline eventually, it is likely trapping waste and could be contributing to the problem.
     
  8. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Chemi pur works wonders to help keep nitrates in check along with much much more. . Also as long as they dont reach over 20 ppm for a really long time you have time to get every thing in check again. Some corals are more effected then others, but most are ok for a while. Should be better with in a week if things are balanced again.
     
  9. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    When was the last time the can filter was cleaned out? Those filters can start to be a 'home' for nitrates to house in. Might be time to look into a small sump so you could tumble cheato. You could also, if you wanted to play with them, get some mangroves and place them in the tank to 'eat' some of the nitrites / nitrates out of the water. I had an outbreak and my mangroves are sucking it up fast but not fast enough.
     
  10. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    A sulfer denitrator works good too and not hard to build one out of PVC
     

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