Nitrates won't go down

GrantMeThePower · 08/14/2008, 10:15 AM

Hi all...i've had my tank set up for over two months. Went through the cycle. Nitrates were OFF the chart. way over 100.

I have just over a pound of LR for each gallon. I've been running a seaclone skimmer (recently ordered an MSX).

I think a lot of my nitrate problems were from the pads and filters i was also running.

I bought everything off of a guy on craigslist before i knew what i needed/didn't need. He said he'd tell me everything. I was running what amounted to a nitrate facotry. Dirty filter sock, pads throughout the sump, and a cannister filter with pads and media that hadnt been changed in who knows how long.

After spending time on here I removed all of that from the system and put chemipure, nitrate spong, and carbon in the canister filter.

I've been doing 25-50% water changes weekly.

I still can't get the nitrates down below 20.

Any advice???

Michael · 08/14/2008, 10:17 AM

it will take a while, i was looking at my log last night, it was 3 months before i hit 0

stingythingy45 · 08/14/2008, 10:27 AM

Your skimmer is not the best at nutrient removal(you need to upgrade here).
Also,do you have crushed coral or a sand substrate?

GrantMeThePower · 08/14/2008, 10:43 AM

I have a sand substrate. It is approximately 3" deep.

Michael · 08/14/2008, 10:51 AM

i notice you have a ehiem canister, what for?

GrantMeThePower · 08/14/2008, 10:56 AM

Right now i'm using it for the chemipure and carbon and what i think is called a nitrate spong-they are little gray pebbles that i put in a mesh bag.

The other half of it is just filled with live rock.

Michael · 08/14/2008, 11:02 AM

yep i know about the nitrate sponge, ive used it, look i can only state what ive experienced and thats live rock didnt work for me in the canister, just run it empty or for just carbon/ phos etc, just my opinion, you will hopefully get others, since i stripped mine my levels have improved drastically but perhaps its just my ste up, living rock just didnt work in the canister for me, good luck anyhow hope you get those trates down

08/14/2008, 10:15 AM	#1
GrantMeThePower Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 234	Nitrates won't go down Hi all...i've had my tank set up for over two months. Went through the cycle. Nitrates were OFF the chart. way over 100. I have just over a pound of LR for each gallon. I've been running a seaclone skimmer (recently ordered an MSX). I think a lot of my nitrate problems were from the pads and filters i was also running. I bought everything off of a guy on craigslist before i knew what i needed/didn't need. He said he'd tell me everything. I was running what amounted to a nitrate facotry. Dirty filter sock, pads throughout the sump, and a cannister filter with pads and media that hadnt been changed in who knows how long. After spending time on here I removed all of that from the system and put chemipure, nitrate spong, and carbon in the canister filter. I've been doing 25-50% water changes weekly. I still can't get the nitrates down below 20. Any advice???

08/14/2008, 10:17 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	it will take a while, i was looking at my log last night, it was 3 months before i hit 0 __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

08/14/2008, 10:27 AM	#3
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Your skimmer is not the best at nutrient removal(you need to upgrade here). Also,do you have crushed coral or a sand substrate? __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

08/14/2008, 10:51 AM	#5
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i notice you have a ehiem canister, what for? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

08/14/2008, 11:02 AM	#7
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	yep i know about the nitrate sponge, ive used it, look i can only state what ive experienced and thats live rock didnt work for me in the canister, just run it empty or for just carbon/ phos etc, just my opinion, you will hopefully get others, since i stripped mine my levels have improved drastically but perhaps its just my ste up, living rock just didnt work in the canister for me, good luck anyhow hope you get those trates down __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

08/14/2008, 10:43 AM	#4
GrantMeThePower Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 234	I have a sand substrate. It is approximately 3" deep.

08/14/2008, 10:56 AM	#6
GrantMeThePower Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 234	Right now i'm using it for the chemipure and carbon and what i think is called a nitrate spong-they are little gray pebbles that i put in a mesh bag. The other half of it is just filled with live rock.