Nitrates..

[MusicISUnlimited]

So i have been battling nitrates for a few months now and i have hit the end of the road i honestly have tried everything to get rid of them but there always there. Ive been doing more frequent water changes, cut down on feeding a tad, ( i dont think overfeeding had anything to do with it) and other things . I mean i dont know... any suggestions on how to get rid of them or any idea what may be causing the problem?

 

Any help appreciated

Thanks

[under the sea]

need more info. current filtration/media. test kit accurate? water change schedule...ect.

[basser1]

I have been using this product by Instant Ocean. It's their Nitrate Reducer and I've been getting some good results with it. Here's more info about it:

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2009/12/11/natural...dable-polymers/

 

Now having said that, there has been a lot of talk about the Nitrate / Phosphate reducing pellets. Several companies are coming out with the N/P pellets. I am getting some in by WarnerMarine (Eco-BAK), that I will be using in my sapphire aquatics nano reactor.

 

Here's more links on the pellets:

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2010/05/10/warner-...dosing-pellets/

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847060

[rubadakis]

+1 on ^

 

we need more info. water parameters? size of tank? number of fish? what are you feeding? filtering methods?

[timdanger]

So i have been battling nitrates for a few months now and i have hit the end of the road i honestly have tried everything to get rid of them but there always there. Ive been doing more frequent water changes, cut down on feeding a tad, ( i dont think overfeeding had anything to do with it) and other things . I mean i dont know... any suggestions on how to get rid of them or any idea what may be causing the problem?

 

Any help appreciated

Thanks

 

we need more information. you've got nitrates -- ok. but, how many ppm? and, according to whom? are tests expired? are the nitrates causing readily identifiable issues for you? what are your other water parameters?

 

but, we also need to know the basic things like what size tank are we talking about? what kind of livestock (including cleanup crew)? what kind of equipment are you using? are you dosing anything, and if so, what/how much/how often? what are you feeding? how much live rock and live sand, and how deep is your sandbed? that's just a start. the more information you give, the more likely it is you can find an answer.

[cheryl jordan]

[MusicISUnlimited]

need more info. current filtration/media. test kit accurate? water change schedule...ect.

 

Hmm well the tank is a 6g nanocube every things stock , the test kits are accurate just bought them, i have a yellow clown goby, and a clown (im probably breaking the rules with that hahhaa) both are healthy and active, and my corals don't seem to be bothered, actually they are all growing, my zoos have been spreading every where, and my encrusting gorg is growing like a weed, and my dendros have tons a new heads sprouting and my shroom is also growing very nicely. My CUC takes care of the algae and right now the tank is spotless 1 turbo, 1 emerald crab, 4 blue leg hermits, 5 margarita snails, 4 naussuris snails (sorry about spelling haha) alot of small nerite snails came on my LR.. Since i have had my nitrate problems i have been changing 15% two-three times a week, used to be once a week.

Params are as following

Nitrate=40

Nitrite=0

P.H=8.3

Ammonia=0

[brandon429]

if those tests are right yes that's high for what you are trying to attain in a nano.

 

the articles online about nitrate in the reef aquarium specifically say water changes are not that helpful to nitrate issues unless constant water refreshement occurs, 15% is not enough export for your nitrogenous waste. (randys article)

 

you have to make sure you don't have pockets of waste/brown detritus in the sandbed

 

if you do, start it over clean, and siphon more often/change 90% of your water each week and that mathmatically *has* to reduce it because this much nitrate simply means your fish bioloading (and commanded feed) is the root source and you are sinking it up due to lack of export.

 

Thats a high bioload for a 6, I specifically recommend removing the clown and set water change params around the smaller single fish.

 

that w work

B

[MusicISUnlimited]

I have been using this product by Instant Ocean. It's their Nitrate Reducer and I've been getting some good results with it. Here's more info about it:

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2009/12/11/natural...dable-polymers/

 

Now having said that, there has been a lot of talk about the Nitrate / Phosphate reducing pellets. Several companies are coming out with the N/P pellets. I am getting some in by WarnerMarine (Eco-BAK), that I will be using in my sapphire aquatics nano reactor.

 

Here's more links on the pellets:

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2010/05/10/warner-...dosing-pellets/

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847060

 

 

if those tests are right yes that's high for what you are trying to attain in a nano.

 

the articles online about nitrate in the reef aquarium specifically say water changes are not that helpful to nitrate issues unless constant water refreshement occurs, 15% is not enough export for your nitrogenous waste. (randys article)

 

you have to make sure you don't have pockets of waste/brown detritus in the sandbed

 

if you do, start it over clean, and siphon more often/change 90% of your water each week and that mathmatically *has* to reduce it because this much nitrate simply means your fish bioloading (and commanded feed) is the root source and you are sinking it up due to lack of export.

 

Thats a high bioload for a 6, I specifically recommend removing the clown and set water change params around the smaller single fish.

 

that w work

B

i know exactly what your saying, but before i had the problem i had both fish in the tank and had no problem. I dont have those pockets of waste either.

[brandon429]

it may sound challenging to identify but the ends are the same. large and frequent water changes will control nitrate even if you do nothing to the insides of the tank, you just may be changing all the water every day depending on:

 

a. feed degredation and whole waste degredation from animals within that accumulate over time vs a new tank

b. direct urine concentrate from fish which is direct ammonia>no3 the single strongest source of known nitrate for your tank. removing the clown and changing even 75% of your tanks water, for the intervals you mentioned, will work. why it used to work is due to too many possibilities...

 

if you don't want to get rid of the fish, just start by chaning 90% of your water every three days. If you register0-5 ppm nitrate then change it every 5. if it still registers 25+, its because that tank is too small for a clown like you guessed earlier relative to the work you are willing to put into it.

 

nitrates never appear from any source other than what's been mentioned *internally* I am assuming you considered external sources in your change water...

[MusicISUnlimited]

it may sound challenging to identify but the ends are the same. large and frequent water changes will control nitrate even if you do nothing to the insides of the tank, you just may be changing all the water every day depending on:

 

a. feed degredation and whole waste degredation from animals within that accumulate over time vs a new tank

b. direct urine concentrate from fish which is direct ammonia>no3 the single strongest source of known nitrate for your tank. removing the clown and changing even 75% of your tanks water, for the intervals you mentioned, will work. why it used to work is due to too many possibilities...

 

if you don't want to get rid of the fish, just start by chaning 90% of your water every three days. If you register0-5 ppm nitrate then change it every 5. if it still registers 25+, its because that tank is too small for a clown like you guessed earlier relative to the work you are willing to put into it.

 

nitrates never appear from any source other than what's been mentioned *internally* I am assuming you considered external sources in your change water...

Hmm i might just have to get rid of the clown, as much as i dont want too, i have to look out for the whole sytem. I will keep up with some big water changes and see how that goes, if nothing gets better i guess ill give the fish away. Yes, i test the change water every time before i add it to the tank. I use DI water from the local food market so i dont think that would be a problem.

 

I greatly appreciate the help, thank you.

[brandon429]

hooking up a skimmer may reduce your water change loading too do you have an old one lying around

[timdanger]

i know exactly what your saying, but before i had the problem i had both fish in the tank and had no problem. I dont have those pockets of waste either.

 

you still haven't answered a lot of my questions. you've got to eliminate potential problems in working toward a solution.

 

how deep is your sand bed? you may not know if you have those pockets -- they aren't necessarily visible.

 

Hmm i might just have to get rid of the clown, as much as i dont want too, i have to look out for the whole sytem. I will keep up with some big water changes and see how that goes, if nothing gets better i guess ill give the fish away. Yes, i test the change water every time before i add it to the tank. I use DI water from the local food market so i dont think that would be a problem.

 

I greatly appreciate the help, thank you.

 

TDS of your water?

[MusicISUnlimited]

my sandbed is probably about an inch, but its still white as can be.

TDS? Im not familiar with that? what does it stand for?

 

and brandon a don`t have a skimmer at the moment, do you suggest getting one? I have been told since the tank is so small its not necessary

[alfa1six4]

I have been using this product by Instant Ocean. It's their Nitrate Reducer and I've been getting some good results with it. Here's more info about it:

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2009/12/11/natural...dable-polymers/

 

I bought a bottle of the Instant Ocean Nitrate Reducer last week. How often are you supposed to use it? The instructions are very vague. It says to use regularly, does that mean everyday or every week to reduce nitrate levels? My BC14 with the Seachem test kit measures 15-20.

[rubadakis]

what is your water source? are you using an ro/di unit? how much and how often are you feeding your tank? sometimes back tracking your steps help....do you remember what chages you made in your rutine a couple of weeks before the nitrates started raising? a couple of years ago i had an aquapod 12g and my parameters were perfect until i added 7 heads of suncorals....feeding them twice a week was too much for my tank and nitrates went up from 0 to 20 ppm in a matter of days.

[MusicISUnlimited]

im not using an ro/di unit, but i use DI water from the local store. I feed my tank every other day, and i feed my dendros 2-3 times a week. I had gone away for a week and missed a WC, that was why i was thinking the nitrates started to rise in the first place.

[rubadakis]

im not using an ro/di unit, but i use DI water from the local store. I feed my tank every other day, and i feed my dendros 2-3 times a week. I had gone away for a week and missed a WC, that was why i was thinking the nitrates started to rise in the first place.

 

I think that you may be over feeding your tank. How much are you feeding those dendros? and with what? Have you tried feeding them with dry pellets? I use hikari dry pellets for my acans. One of the main benefits is that the pellet wont release nutrients into the water while on the other hand frozen food starts to relase "crap" as soon as it hits the water. Below is a link with some info. that you should take a look.

 

http://practicalcoralfarming.com/pelletfood.html

[MusicISUnlimited]

I think that you may be over feeding your tank. How much are you feeding those dendros? and with what? Have you tried feeding them with dry pellets? I use hikari dry pellets for my acans. One of the main benefits is that the pellet wont release nutrients into the water while on the other hand frozen food starts to relase "crap" as soon as it hits the water. Below is a link with some info. that you should take a look.

 

http://practicalcoralfarming.com/pelletfood.html

 

I use dry pellets for the dendros yes, but you may be right with the over-feeding in general. I guess ill just have to cut back? I tested my tank again today and every thing is still zero, except for the nitrates which are at 40ppm`s. Hahah its enough to drive me crazy...i cant wait until the day comes where they finally hit zero..

[MusicISUnlimited]

Update:

One thing i had forgotten was to change the bag of activated carbon in the back chamber of the tank, i took the old one out and it was disgusting, do you think that may have had something to do with the high nitrates?

[rubadakis]

I would get rid of the clown, cut the feeding substantially and try to get a better water source...have you tested the di water that you are getting at the local store? you might be adding nitrates everytime you do a water change!!!

[fewskillz]

If you're not introducing nitrates with your water change water, and your filters are all clean (dirty bioballs in the back?), then it's your bioload.

 

Get rid of a fish and try a large water change, like 50% or more. That should reduce your nitrates considerably, like 50% or more, and should get you on your way to recovery. I'd be willing to bet you're overfeeding, even at every other day.

[MusicISUnlimited]

i do test the change water and its all at zero, i don`t use the bioballs. And if i`m overfeeding, what do you suggest is a good feeding pattern? And I guess i`m getting rid of the clown.

[fewskillz]

Little fish like that don't need any more than a flake/pellet or 3 a day.

 

My honest feeling is it's just too much bioload for a NC6. The dirty filter you mentioned could've been a contributor too.

[MusicISUnlimited]

I see, thank you very much i do appreciate the help. Well, only time can tell so i`ll get back to you guys in a few days after some big WC`s and we will have to go from there.

 

Once again thank you all.