Best Nitrate reduction products

Chumpo · 06/14/2008, 01:10 PM

I'm currently looking at Nitrate reduction products.

I don't have a serious nitrate issue, with nitrates varying around 10ppm.
I'm trying to get the elusive 0ppm, and am considering options.

I know I could reduce stock (although I'm not overstocked vastly), and do a few other things, but I want to know about methods to reduce nitrate specifically using products.

Has anyone any experience using Sulphur beads / sulphur reactor? I heard they spike the Nitrite / Nitrate quite badly when they are first started??

Has anyone used Seacham Purigen, Seachem De-Nitrate, Kent Nitrate sponge, Poly filters etc....

Any experiences appreciated.

Thanks

DevilBoy · 06/14/2008, 01:24 PM

IMO the best way to reduce your nitrates is good husbandary, weekly water changes, etc.... and cheato or other macro algae in a refuguim

FloatingFish · 06/14/2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DevilBoy
IMO the best way to reduce your nitrates is good husbandary, weekly water changes, etc.... and cheato or other macro algae in a refuguim

X2 and feed less

mrkalel · 06/14/2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DevilBoy
IMO the best way to reduce your nitrates is good husbandary, weekly water changes, etc.... and cheato or other macro algae in a refuguim

Bla bla bla.....

mrkalel · 06/14/2008, 01:37 PM

But seriously, follow those suggestions, and what I found out is that a very good skimmer does wonders....

FloatingFish · 06/14/2008, 01:41 PM

oh ya and over skim!

DevilBoy · 06/14/2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FloatingFish
oh ya and over skim!

Wetter is better!!!!!!

mrkalel · 06/14/2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DevilBoy
Wetter is better!!!!!!

hey now....

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/14/2008, 03:20 PM

I prefer skimming and growing macroalgae, but sand beds, denitrators, and adding carbon sources to drive bacterial growth can all work. This article has more on some of the many methods available:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm

IndyReefMan · 06/14/2008, 04:42 PM

EtOH

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...+and+reduction

DrBegalke · 06/14/2008, 05:17 PM

I've used AZ-NO3 with success.
Here is one of the many threads on it:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ht=azno3+melev

Duce · 06/14/2008, 06:02 PM

I used a deNtrator to get my nitrate down

shackscs · 06/14/2008, 07:22 PM

I went from a W\D to a refugium and got rid of my Nitrates.

Zoom · 06/14/2008, 07:23 PM

SUGAR

trueblackpercula · 06/14/2008, 07:37 PM

VODKA??????????????

Zoom · 06/14/2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trueblackpercula
VODKA??????????????

Yes Sugar,Vodka and vinegar will work very quickly with a good skimmer.

AquaReeferMan · 06/14/2008, 08:23 PM

Macro algae(cheato) and a DSB.

plyle02 · 06/14/2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zoom
Yes Sugar,Vodka and vinegar will work very quickly with a good skimmer.

I use a c-source mixture of vodka, sugar, vinegar, and RO/DI water which I add after lights go out. I have a huge skimmer for my system, and also use chaetoin sump lit on opposite light cycle of the main tank. Works really well!

CyanoMagnet · 06/14/2008, 11:19 PM

Surgar ?? Vinegar? Vodka?

Can I have a link to the procedure?

I am dealing with nitrate issues as well. Goal is to get them to zero.

Plesae elaborate.

pledosophy · 06/14/2008, 11:24 PM

Spoonful of sugar per 50g or so. If the water turns white add less next time. Make sure to run the skimmer as it will lower 02 levels.

The sugar or vodka, etc, drop the nitrates by stimulating the bacteria.

I use two packets of sugar from Starbucks. I'm paying for the coffee, denitrator is free.

CyanoMagnet · 06/15/2008, 12:24 AM

That is awesome. I wonder how well this works. Im deffinetly going to try it..

Can I put the sugar in my auto refill reservoir?

Also you do mean table spoon, not tea spoon right?

pledosophy · 06/15/2008, 12:50 AM

Better to start with a small amount and move up.

It works very well. Have been doing it for years.

limitdown · 06/15/2008, 01:04 AM

I run a sulfur denitrator and have been able to keep my nitrates at undetectable levels for over 6mths. Maintenance is ultra-low as I have not had to touch or adjust the machine for over 3mths. I would not recommend a sugar/carbon-based denitrator because you need to feed the bacteria daily.
I still religiously change 20% of my water once a month though, because as others have mentioned, there are many toxins that we can't test for.

onano · 06/15/2008, 05:16 AM

I am in the school of good husbandry. A good skimmer along with a nice size fuge and more frequent but smaller water changes. My trates are 0 and are always 0. I change 10 gallons of water in my 75 every week and 3 gallons in my 24 every week. The tanks params are super stable. It all about a consistent routine for me. The consistency in my routine has led to consistency in my tanks.

Good Luck with the method you choose. I believe that as long as you are consistent with your husbandry routine you will see improved results.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/15/2008, 07:03 AM

Can I put the sugar in my auto refill reservoir?

No, it will grow bacteria and mold.

06/14/2008, 01:10 PM	#1
Chumpo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 84	Best Nitrate reduction products I'm currently looking at Nitrate reduction products. I don't have a serious nitrate issue, with nitrates varying around 10ppm. I'm trying to get the elusive 0ppm, and am considering options. I know I could reduce stock (although I'm not overstocked vastly), and do a few other things, but I want to know about methods to reduce nitrate specifically using products. Has anyone any experience using Sulphur beads / sulphur reactor? I heard they spike the Nitrite / Nitrate quite badly when they are first started?? Has anyone used Seacham Purigen, Seachem De-Nitrate, Kent Nitrate sponge, Poly filters etc.... Any experiences appreciated. Thanks

06/14/2008, 01:37 PM	#5
mrkalel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island Posts: 614	But seriously, follow those suggestions, and what I found out is that a very good skimmer does wonders.... __________________ Able to spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at a fish bowl... https://twitter.com/MrKal_El https://instagram.com/mrkal_el/ Current Tank Info: Oceanic 144 Gal Half-Circle Display / AGA 72 Gal Bow-Front Fuge / Oceanic 60 Gal Sump 3 / ReeFlo Hammerhead Return / AquaC EV-240 Skimmer w. Mag 18 / Basement Sump & Fuge / 4 Reefbreeders Supernova's

06/14/2008, 01:41 PM	#6
FloatingFish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Odell, ILL. Posts: 540	oh ya and over skim! __________________ . Current Tank Info: None

06/14/2008, 03:20 PM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I prefer skimming and growing macroalgae, but sand beds, denitrators, and adding carbon sources to drive bacterial growth can all work. This article has more on some of the many methods available: Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/14/2008, 05:17 PM	#11
DrBegalke Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix area, AZ Posts: 2,599	I've used AZ-NO3 with success. Here is one of the many threads on it: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ht=azno3+melev __________________ ~Jason Begalke Current Tank Info: Latest project: JBJ Cubey

06/14/2008, 01:24 PM	#2
DevilBoy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wooster, Ohio Posts: 1,724	IMO the best way to reduce your nitrates is good husbandary, weekly water changes, etc.... and cheato or other macro algae in a refuguim

06/14/2008, 04:42 PM	#10
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	EtOH http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...+and+reduction

06/14/2008, 06:02 PM	#12
Duce Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Toronto, Ont., Canada Posts: 1,986	I used a deNtrator to get my nitrate down

06/14/2008, 07:22 PM	#13
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	I went from a W\D to a refugium and got rid of my Nitrates.

06/14/2008, 07:23 PM	#14
Zoom Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: S.N.J Posts: 5,706	SUGAR

06/14/2008, 07:37 PM	#15
trueblackpercula Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: STATEN ISLAND Posts: 7,517	VODKA?????????????? __________________ Life is to short to buy frags ! But for FREE I'LL take them ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> LIVE SAND ITS THE CURE........® Current Tank Info: 120 CUBE Live sand Mitras lx6100hv MRC MR 2 single becket MP40 power head Aquamedic dosing pump using B-ionic

06/14/2008, 08:23 PM	#17
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	Macro algae(cheato) and a DSB. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

06/14/2008, 11:19 PM	#19
CyanoMagnet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn ,NY Posts: 1,272	Surgar ?? Vinegar? Vodka? Can I have a link to the procedure? I am dealing with nitrate issues as well. Goal is to get them to zero. Plesae elaborate. __________________ Salifert - - - - - - Phosphates ud, ud Nitrates .0xxxppm, Alk 9dkh Calcium 445ppm mag 1380 PH 7.7-8.0 Salinity, 1.026 11/27/2008 Current Tank Info: 72 g bf,15g sump->16g qt,10g refugium w/ DSB and cheato (lots), T5 lighting 6x54watt (2x10k,2xab,blue act,super act),korallin 1501 ca reactor,sulfur denitrator(korallin),bullet 1 skimmer,phosban reactor(running carbon atm),2xtunze1500gph,3xkoralin

06/14/2008, 11:24 PM	#20
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Spoonful of sugar per 50g or so. If the water turns white add less next time. Make sure to run the skimmer as it will lower 02 levels. The sugar or vodka, etc, drop the nitrates by stimulating the bacteria. I use two packets of sugar from Starbucks. I'm paying for the coffee, denitrator is free. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

06/15/2008, 12:24 AM	#21
CyanoMagnet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn ,NY Posts: 1,272	That is awesome. I wonder how well this works. Im deffinetly going to try it.. Can I put the sugar in my auto refill reservoir? Also you do mean table spoon, not tea spoon right? __________________ Salifert - - - - - - Phosphates ud, ud Nitrates .0xxxppm, Alk 9dkh Calcium 445ppm mag 1380 PH 7.7-8.0 Salinity, 1.026 11/27/2008 Current Tank Info: 72 g bf,15g sump->16g qt,10g refugium w/ DSB and cheato (lots), T5 lighting 6x54watt (2x10k,2xab,blue act,super act),korallin 1501 ca reactor,sulfur denitrator(korallin),bullet 1 skimmer,phosban reactor(running carbon atm),2xtunze1500gph,3xkoralin

06/15/2008, 12:50 AM	#22
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Better to start with a small amount and move up. It works very well. Have been doing it for years. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

06/15/2008, 01:04 AM	#23
limitdown Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 640	I run a sulfur denitrator and have been able to keep my nitrates at undetectable levels for over 6mths. Maintenance is ultra-low as I have not had to touch or adjust the machine for over 3mths. I would not recommend a sugar/carbon-based denitrator because you need to feed the bacteria daily. I still religiously change 20% of my water once a month though, because as others have mentioned, there are many toxins that we can't test for. __________________ All I want for Christmas is to stay employed... Current Tank Info: 200g display + 50g sump FO

06/15/2008, 05:16 AM	#24
onano Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 425	I am in the school of good husbandry. A good skimmer along with a nice size fuge and more frequent but smaller water changes. My trates are 0 and are always 0. I change 10 gallons of water in my 75 every week and 3 gallons in my 24 every week. The tanks params are super stable. It all about a consistent routine for me. The consistency in my routine has led to consistency in my tanks. Good Luck with the method you choose. I believe that as long as you are consistent with your husbandry routine you will see improved results.

06/15/2008, 07:03 AM	#25
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Can I put the sugar in my auto refill reservoir? No, it will grow bacteria and mold. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef