High nitrates

 

slicks56 wrote: What is the best way to control high nitrates. We just spent an hour checking all parameters, nitrates was the only one out of range. We run a skimmer in the sump, a phosphate reactor and carbon. HELP!!!

Thanks for later sharing that the Nitrate level was found to be 40 ppm. It's difficult to address the issue without knowing that fact. In fact, 40 ppm is not that bad. Some very nice looking reef tanks operate just fine at higher levels, though I too would try to bring it down to under 20 ppm. The coral will tell you by their behavior if pollution levels are low enough for them to be happy. 

In my opinion, based on too many years of experience, the "best" way to "control" polluting Nitrogen compounds is to look at 2 basic things:

2. Grow the biofiltration in the tank to properly and efficiently process the waste. As aceofspadeskb mentioned, the biofiltration encompasses substantial healthy LS, LR and Algae growth. In fact, the biofiltration can be as much as 100% of the total filtration of a reef aquarium. Though the use of an effective skimmer and other media reduce that figure to around 85%. Over the years I found that growing a better, more complete biofiltration is the major key and yet least understood principle for keeping nutrients low enough for coral, fish and other inverts to be healthy and thriving.

Hope this helps.

Aloha.

Mark