denitrators?

kevinohio · 07/31/2007, 08:00 PM

I have a fish and live ( well some live) rock set up.
All levels are good, nitrates i know should be under 40PPM and they are. Me being a bit anal would like them at 0.
Are denitrators worth the money? I see a few different types out there, and I am just not sure if i should bother.

Doing it with water changes now, and would continue to do them probably, I am averaging 20 to 30 PPM now.

Any thoughts, or should i just leave it alone?

Randall_James · 07/31/2007, 08:25 PM

To Reef Central

With fish only, I would forget about it...

Otherwise, add some more live rock

kevinohio · 07/31/2007, 08:32 PM

i probably did not start with enough live rock. under 30lbs total probably, maybe under 20. i did use live sand, i have a lot of rock but it was tufa rock that i added, built it up with the hold fast.
I assume i should maybe add more, though it will have to be smallere pieces laid about.
Will adding live rock reduce the nitrates? i knew it would help with the amonia, and the nitrites.
Cn you tell i am a newbie

Randall_James · 07/31/2007, 08:43 PM

Liverock provides a home for the bacteria that convert the nitrates to nitrogen. Adding more will certainly help but you need to make sure that the rock is "cured" . Fresh live rock has a lot of stuff that simply does not survive in captivity and so as it cures, this stuff dies off.

Nitrates in a FO or FOWLR tank really does not matter all that much and if you are at 10-20ppm, and you are happy with the looks of the tank, I would just leave it as is.

Any pics?

kevinohio · 07/31/2007, 08:51 PM

I do have a couple pics, but nothing that shows the whole tank, just shows a couple of the fich. the whole tank view looked blurry and I need tp tale another one.
As for the like rock I usually go to aquatic technologies in Columbia station, They seem to have a good selection and the seem to have it fully cured. I take small amaouts home that i transport in a water filled bucket. I do not cure it further since it is less than an hour transport.
I know they cure their rock not just sit it in a tank with no water flow or lighting. I do not know if you know of this store or not.
Or if you know of any cleveland based palces to buy good cured live rock. I do not really have the place or stuff to properly cure my own.
I will ty to take a pic of the full tank, though from what I see it will pale in comparison to some of the tanks people on this site have.
But hey I am getting there, and I am happy.
I am just bit anal and i fugre if I can get all levels at zero all the better.

07/31/2007, 08:00 PM	#1
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	denitrators? I have a fish and live ( well some live) rock set up. All levels are good, nitrates i know should be under 40PPM and they are. Me being a bit anal would like them at 0. Are denitrators worth the money? I see a few different types out there, and I am just not sure if i should bother. Doing it with water changes now, and would continue to do them probably, I am averaging 20 to 30 PPM now. Any thoughts, or should i just leave it alone? __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

07/31/2007, 08:25 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	*To Reef Central* With fish only, I would forget about it... Otherwise, add some more live rock __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

07/31/2007, 08:32 PM	#3
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	live rock i probably did not start with enough live rock. under 30lbs total probably, maybe under 20. i did use live sand, i have a lot of rock but it was tufa rock that i added, built it up with the hold fast. I assume i should maybe add more, though it will have to be smallere pieces laid about. Will adding live rock reduce the nitrates? i knew it would help with the amonia, and the nitrites. Cn you tell i am a newbie __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

07/31/2007, 08:43 PM	#4
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Liverock provides a home for the bacteria that convert the nitrates to nitrogen. Adding more will certainly help but you need to make sure that the rock is "cured" . Fresh live rock has a lot of stuff that simply does not survive in captivity and so as it cures, this stuff dies off. Nitrates in a FO or FOWLR tank really does not matter all that much and if you are at 10-20ppm, and you are happy with the looks of the tank, I would just leave it as is. Any pics? __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

07/31/2007, 08:51 PM	#5
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	live rock I do have a couple pics, but nothing that shows the whole tank, just shows a couple of the fich. the whole tank view looked blurry and I need tp tale another one. As for the like rock I usually go to aquatic technologies in Columbia station, They seem to have a good selection and the seem to have it fully cured. I take small amaouts home that i transport in a water filled bucket. I do not cure it further since it is less than an hour transport. I know they cure their rock not just sit it in a tank with no water flow or lighting. I do not know if you know of this store or not. Or if you know of any cleveland based palces to buy good cured live rock. I do not really have the place or stuff to properly cure my own. I will ty to take a pic of the full tank, though from what I see it will pale in comparison to some of the tanks people on this site have. But hey I am getting there, and I am happy. I am just bit anal and i fugre if I can get all levels at zero all the better. __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR