Nitrates!!!

tbittner · 07-05-2007, 07:12 PM

I've been fighting nitrates in my 120g since I got everything up and running. Ammonia and nitrites are both zero. Anyway, nitrates were bouncing between 50 and 100. About a week ago I got my RO/DI up and running, and I'm now mixing saltwater with it and circulating it for at least 48 hours before water changes. I did another 25g water change today and after a few hours I tested for nitrates. WOO HOO!!! Down to about 15. In a few days I'll do another 25g water change and hopefully, I've finally got those nasty nitrates under control.

Getting my refugium up and running will also help in the long run, but I don't expect it to lower nitrates noticably quickly though.

lcstorc · 07-05-2007, 07:14 PM

Great news. Glad to hear you are getting things under control.

Dentoid · 07-05-2007, 07:27 PM

The best ways to transport nitrates is through a DSB, a fluidized SB, a refugium with/without a DSB and macroalgae and/or WC's. Since you don't have a refugium yet WC's are the way to go.

Nitrates are the bane of the reef hobbyist's existence!

Woodstock · 07-05-2007, 07:37 PM

Congrats!!

tbittner · 07-05-2007, 07:44 PM

Ok, quick question about the refugium. I'll probably be putting the base into it on Saturday. I have 28 lbs of live sand and 36 lbs of
Kent Marine Marine Biosediment. Should I put both in? If so, in what order? Or mix it together? Should I cycle it before connecting it to the 120g tank?

The refugium area is 24 x 19 x (up to 12 high).

blue_eyes53813 · 07-05-2007, 08:42 PM

Do you have liverock? A skimmer? What are your means of filtration? I would also check into a couple bags of phosban in the refugium when you get it up and running.

tbittner · 07-05-2007, 09:11 PM

I have a little over 150 lbs of live rock and about 2" of live sand. I'm using a Remore Pro HOB skimmer and I have it plumbed to drain into a gallon jug and it works great so I'm leaving it where it is.

I'm going to be growing Chaeto in the refugium as well. In the receive chamber of the refugium I'm going to put a couple bags of Purigen and Matrix and the water coming from the tank will flow over it before it gets to the refugium chamber.

As far as phosban, would this work? I could easily add a few bags of it to the receive chamber as well. I like the idea of keep things like this in the receive chamber because it's easily visible and easily changed out.

Thanks for any and all input!

bluespotjawfish · 07-05-2007, 09:39 PM

Phosban is for phosphate removal. Do you have high phosphates? I had a bad experience with Phosguard and would not recommend it. I now use Phosban. I also have tried RowaPhos, but it was messier than the Phosban. The Phosban comes with a bag and tie wrap, so you can place it where it works best in your tank, but it has to be where there is a LOW flow over/through it.

tbittner · 07-06-2007, 02:48 AM

Ahhhh, I see. So close to the outlet side and bottom of the refugium would be a perfect place. That is one test kit I don't have that you've reminded me that I really need to get. I'll order one today.

lcstorc · 07-06-2007, 03:42 AM

I would not use the Phosguard. It didn't do anything when I added it to my tank. Phosban and Rowphos are made of an entirely different material and work much better. You do need to keep them in low flow or they will break down and turn the tank orange, I just ordered 2 phosban reactors (one for Phosban and one for carbon) so I will let you know how they work. Many people recommend then,

tbittner · 07-06-2007, 05:04 AM

Ok, I'll order some Phosban and put the bags at the bottom of the refugium compartment and next to the exit baffle. That should be very slow moving water.

Does anyone has a suggestion for this question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbittner

Ok, quick question about the refugium. I'll probably be putting the base into it on Saturday. I have 28 lbs of live sand and 36 lbs of
Kent Marine Marine Biosediment. Should I put both in? If so, in what order? Or mix it together? Should I cycle it before connecting it to the 120g tank?

The refugium area is 24 x 19 x (up to 12 high).

lcstorc · 07-06-2007, 05:28 AM

I don't know anything about the bio-sediment but I do have a 4 inch sandbed in my fuge. I didn't cycle it and it is doing great,
HTH.

tbittner · 07-06-2007, 05:52 AM

Are you growing Chaeto in it? I didn't know if it would grow in just sand.

Woodstock · 07-06-2007, 06:06 AM

You do not need to cycle the refugium prior to plumbing it into the reef. Chaetomorpha will grow with or without sand; mine floats at the top all the time.

Snelly40 · 07-06-2007, 07:05 AM

cheato is the best thing ever for ur fuge, will knock nitrates out like mike tyson

07-05-2007, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Nitrates!!! I've been fighting nitrates in my 120g since I got everything up and running. Ammonia and nitrites are both zero. Anyway, nitrates were bouncing between 50 and 100. About a week ago I got my RO/DI up and running, and I'm now mixing saltwater with it and circulating it for at least 48 hours before water changes. I did another 25g water change today and after a few hours I tested for nitrates. WOO HOO!!! Down to about 15. In a few days I'll do another 25g water change and hopefully, I've finally got those nasty nitrates under control. Getting my refugium up and running will also help in the long run, but I don't expect it to lower nitrates noticably quickly though. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

07-05-2007, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,528 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! Great news. Glad to hear you are getting things under control. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

07-05-2007, 07:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nitrates!!! The best ways to transport nitrates is through a DSB, a fluidized SB, a refugium with/without a DSB and macroalgae and/or WC's. Since you don't have a refugium yet WC's are the way to go. Nitrates are the bane of the reef hobbyist's existence! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

07-05-2007, 07:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,862 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! Congrats!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

07-05-2007, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! Ok, quick question about the refugium. I'll probably be putting the base into it on Saturday. I have 28 lbs of live sand and 36 lbs of Kent Marine Marine Biosediment. Should I put both in? If so, in what order? Or mix it together? Should I cycle it before connecting it to the 120g tank? The refugium area is 24 x 19 x (up to 12 high). __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

07-05-2007, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,258 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! Do you have liverock? A skimmer? What are your means of filtration? I would also check into a couple bags of phosban in the refugium when you get it up and running. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-05-2007, 09:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! I have a little over 150 lbs of live rock and about 2" of live sand. I'm using a Remore Pro HOB skimmer and I have it plumbed to drain into a gallon jug and it works great so I'm leaving it where it is. I'm going to be growing Chaeto in the refugium as well. In the receive chamber of the refugium I'm going to put a couple bags of Purigen and Matrix and the water coming from the tank will flow over it before it gets to the refugium chamber. As far as phosban, would this work? I could easily add a few bags of it to the receive chamber as well. I like the idea of keep things like this in the receive chamber because it's easily visible and easily changed out. Thanks for any and all input! __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

07-05-2007, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,140 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nitrates!!! Phosban is for phosphate removal. Do you have high phosphates? I had a bad experience with Phosguard and would not recommend it. I now use Phosban. I also have tried RowaPhos, but it was messier than the Phosban. The Phosban comes with a bag and tie wrap, so you can place it where it works best in your tank, but it has to be where there is a LOW flow over/through it. __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

07-06-2007, 02:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! Ahhhh, I see. So close to the outlet side and bottom of the refugium would be a perfect place. That is one test kit I don't have that you've reminded me that I really need to get. I'll order one today. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

07-06-2007, 03:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,528 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! I would not use the Phosguard. It didn't do anything when I added it to my tank. Phosban and Rowphos are made of an entirely different material and work much better. You do need to keep them in low flow or they will break down and turn the tank orange, I just ordered 2 phosban reactors (one for Phosban and one for carbon) so I will let you know how they work. Many people recommend then, __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

07-06-2007, 05:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,528 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! I don't know anything about the bio-sediment but I do have a 4 inch sandbed in my fuge. I didn't cycle it and it is doing great, HTH. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

07-06-2007, 05:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! Are you growing Chaeto in it? I didn't know if it would grow in just sand. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

07-06-2007, 06:06 AM	#14 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,862 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nitrates!!! You do not need to cycle the refugium prior to plumbing it into the reef. Chaetomorpha will grow with or without sand; mine floats at the top all the time. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

07-06-2007, 07:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
Snelly40 Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,451 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nitrates!!! cheato is the best thing ever for ur fuge, will knock nitrates out like mike tyson __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society* In Hoc Signo Vinces

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