nitrates UPDATED
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43628
Printed Date: June 27 2025 at 9:58am
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Topic: nitrates UPDATED
Posted By: MajorPayne
Subject: nitrates UPDATED
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 1:51pm
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My nitrates are slowing climbing and I am getting worried. I have my sump full of macro. my skimmer is working overtime (rated for 250 gal.), I pulled out my antiphosphate. my ammonia and nirtite are at 0. and my sump light is on almost 24/7. I cut back on feeding and actually had a tang die. I've tried water changes but its only a temporary fix and usually will be back up to where it was in under a week. I also checked my RO water for nitrates and there is nothing in there. what else can I do to bring down my nitrates?
also is it possible I have too many fish?? I have the following live stock: Emperor angel, humu humu trigger, niger trigger, coral beauty, bi color blenny, valentini puffer, maroon clown, 2 serpent stars, 2 sgt. major damsels, a donimo damsel, a brown damsel, lunare wrasse (Pretty big), a sixline wrasse, a few snails and 2 hermits, and 4 small GBTA's, and I few others I can't remember right now.
Sorry I didn't say it right upfront but It is a 125, with a 50gal sump/ fuge. I have about 150lbs of live rock, a 4in sand bed, right now I have some PC's on the display, I run the actenics for 10 hrs, and the daylight for 6 1/2. I have an actenic PC on the fuge and 2 work lights that have a plant life bulb and a halogen bulb. also I have a huge mass of macro. I have about 20 nassarius snails in the sump. I have tried cutting back on the feeding but my humu humu goes super aggressive and bites anything that looks at him funny. Parameters: Ammonia:0 Nitrite:0 PH:8.2 Nitrate:about 60PPM Average temp: 79 Calcium:400PPM Alkalinaty:11dKH Phosphate:0 Salinity:1.025 |
Replies:
Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 2:05pm
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How big is your tank? ------------- None at the moment Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 3:20pm
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A little more info would be nice. Tank size and param's and a brief description of your setup. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 5:58pm
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And include how many lbs of Live Rock and how deep a sandbed along with the tank size... ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 5:59pm
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You could try making an area of your sump or display a DSB with oolite sand. This always worked for me. With super fine oolite you only need three inches to get results. the whole bottom doesn't have to be that deep; it could just be in the back corners.
Another thing might be to make a bigger fuge or try some different macro algae.
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 6:20pm
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I agree that since we have no idea what the Nitrate level is and how it's climbing, as well as the tank size, it's like we are shooting in the dark.
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: sanddune600
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 6:21pm
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how high are your nitrates you could try a sulfur denitrator but I would try to find out why you have high nitrates first if the reason is over stocked then a denitrator may be a way to keep it that way ------------- Andy Jorgensen My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 11:05pm
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Here's the thing. If your tank is a manageable size, why not just do water changes once a week? I will cut down on how much you have to dose, nitrates will stay down and your tanks health will improve substantially. Sure a skimmer, fuge and everything helps a tank stay healthy, but why try to see how long you can go without a water change? Even at 100 gallons, thats only 10g of salt water you need to change a week, which if purchased at the lfs is something like $4 a week to do.
I guess I only say that because you stated that water changes once a week keep your nitrates at 0, so why try to find a workaround that most likely will be more complicated than doing a water change. Thats only my opinion though, i'm still new at this |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 25 2010 at 10:48am
I'm not new at this and I've become a lazy reefer. I do only what is necessary to keep the tank looking good in the long run.Water changes are a pain and are less necessary than new hobbyists think. I can give you many options that are easier and more useful in the long run for avoiding pollution (reducing N compounds) and keeping the tank looking beautiful.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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