Nitrate Issue

Lawman5014 · 03/27/2013, 11:46 AM

I've got a 28 gallon bullet cardiff tank (established for 10 months) with protein skimmer and filter pad. Lots of good looking purple live rock. I do an approximate 5 gallon water change (RO water with Reef Crystals) about every weekend. The Angel of Death visited my tank 2 months ago and for some reason I lost 3 fish in about 3 days - did a major 50% water change then and the death stopped. I'm currently down to about 2 fish plus one cleaner shrimp and a bunch of snails/crabs.

Before the death happened, I couldn't get my Nitrates below 20ppm no matter what I tried or did. Even after a very thorough cleaning of the plumping etc in the back of the tank. Now, several months after the death - I still can't get them below 20 ppm. I've been looking at several options (nitrate remover liquids, pads, mesh bags filled with stuff, etc) on drfostersmith's website but have no idea which to go with.

Any suggestions on what to do to lower nitrates or any clue on why I can't get my nitrates lower than 20ppm - I would appreciate greatly.

MiracleFish · 03/27/2013, 11:53 AM

To be honest I don't think it was your Nitrates that caused the problem of this death raid. It may have been from you trying to remove the nitrates too fast. However, my tank has about 20 ppm also and all my corals, inverts, and one clown fish are doing just fine

Edit: How are your pH levels? Do you add buffer to your ato water?

Lawman5014 · 03/27/2013, 12:18 PM

I didn't think my nitrates were linked to the deaths. It was something unusual that I have no clue what it was linked to. But after that big water change it seemed to stop completely.

Currently, the only thing I'm doing to reduce nitrates is ensuring that I don't over feed, do my weekly water changes and cleaning out the skimmer and filter pad. I've got two nano sized power heads (one for behind the rocks on the back wall) plus the normal pump in the tank so my flow is good and stuff shouldn't be settling in dead spots causing more nitrates.

My PH is right at 8.2. I've got good alkalinity levels as well. I use Kent's Super Buffer DKH to raise my PH when it drops a little. I test all my levels every week as well (and journal them). My ph has been pretty stable around the 8.1/8.2/8.3 area for a long time with only minor changes.

I just wanted to get my tank levels perfect before I invested in corals finally. I want to get my Nitrates down to 5 ppm or less before I do that. But maybe I'm crazy and that isn't necessary.

wonderz · 03/27/2013, 12:45 PM

What skimmer do you have? You might need to upgrade to a bigger one. Or do you have a refugium? Have one with marcoalgae will help.

Paul B · 03/27/2013, 12:48 PM

My nitrates are more than double what yours are and almost all my fish are spawning, some are 19 years old and I have SPS growing all over the place, your nitrates did not kill your fish.

MiracleFish · 03/27/2013, 05:03 PM

As soon as I unhooked my Fluval 204 and hung on a Refugium, my nitrates dropped from 40 ppm to 20ppm. So if you don't have one already, I highly recommend making/buying a refugium.

Lawman5014 · 03/27/2013, 07:37 PM

Yeah - I don't have a refugium and know I need one. My tank is rimless and honestly I don't even know how I'd make even a hang on refugium work.

MiracleFish · 03/27/2013, 07:45 PM

just hangs on, as simple as it sounds. Same concept except on the back. Any Hang on filters can be modded into a fuge, easily an AquaClear such as my own http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2269293

tracyclifton · 03/27/2013, 08:51 PM

You may want to research vodka dosing. I found a great article that described it in detail. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php Mine were only in the 5-10ppm range but I got them back to zero in a few weeks. I'm still dosing and my nitrates are always less than 5ppm regardless of feeding. It may not be the best solution for everyone. Good luck.

SushiGirl · 03/27/2013, 10:03 PM

20 is not a death sentence for a tank.
If you want to reduce them, do bigger water changes.

03/27/2013, 11:46 AM	#1
Lawman5014 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 50	Nitrate Issue I've got a 28 gallon bullet cardiff tank (established for 10 months) with protein skimmer and filter pad. Lots of good looking purple live rock. I do an approximate 5 gallon water change (RO water with Reef Crystals) about every weekend. The Angel of Death visited my tank 2 months ago and for some reason I lost 3 fish in about 3 days - did a major 50% water change then and the death stopped. I'm currently down to about 2 fish plus one cleaner shrimp and a bunch of snails/crabs. Before the death happened, I couldn't get my Nitrates below 20ppm no matter what I tried or did. Even after a very thorough cleaning of the plumping etc in the back of the tank. Now, several months after the death - I still can't get them below 20 ppm. I've been looking at several options (nitrate remover liquids, pads, mesh bags filled with stuff, etc) on drfostersmith's website but have no idea which to go with. Any suggestions on what to do to lower nitrates or any clue on why I can't get my nitrates lower than 20ppm - I would appreciate greatly.

03/27/2013, 12:48 PM	#5
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	My nitrates are more than double what yours are and almost all my fish are spawning, some are 19 years old and I have SPS growing all over the place, your nitrates did not kill your fish. __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

03/27/2013, 08:51 PM	#9
tracyclifton Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 200	You may want to research vodka dosing. I found a great article that described it in detail. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php Mine were only in the 5-10ppm range but I got them back to zero in a few weeks. I'm still dosing and my nitrates are always less than 5ppm regardless of feeding. It may not be the best solution for everyone. Good luck. __________________ Set up on August 20,2012. 180 gallon All Glass 72"x24"x24", drilled from the bottom with dual mega overflows, Current USA Orbit Marine LED, 3 T5HO, Bubble-Magus Curve 7, 35 gallon sump. Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

03/27/2013, 10:03 PM	#10
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	20 is not a death sentence for a tank. If you want to reduce them, do bigger water changes. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

03/27/2013, 11:53 AM	#2
MiracleFish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 307	To be honest I don't think it was your Nitrates that caused the problem of this death raid. It may have been from you trying to remove the nitrates too fast. However, my tank has about 20 ppm also and all my corals, inverts, and one clown fish are doing just fine Edit: How are your pH levels? Do you add buffer to your ato water?

03/27/2013, 12:18 PM	#3
Lawman5014 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 50	I didn't think my nitrates were linked to the deaths. It was something unusual that I have no clue what it was linked to. But after that big water change it seemed to stop completely. Currently, the only thing I'm doing to reduce nitrates is ensuring that I don't over feed, do my weekly water changes and cleaning out the skimmer and filter pad. I've got two nano sized power heads (one for behind the rocks on the back wall) plus the normal pump in the tank so my flow is good and stuff shouldn't be settling in dead spots causing more nitrates. My PH is right at 8.2. I've got good alkalinity levels as well. I use Kent's Super Buffer DKH to raise my PH when it drops a little. I test all my levels every week as well (and journal them). My ph has been pretty stable around the 8.1/8.2/8.3 area for a long time with only minor changes. I just wanted to get my tank levels perfect before I invested in corals finally. I want to get my Nitrates down to 5 ppm or less before I do that. But maybe I'm crazy and that isn't necessary.

03/27/2013, 12:45 PM	#4
wonderz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 284	What skimmer do you have? You might need to upgrade to a bigger one. Or do you have a refugium? Have one with marcoalgae will help.

03/27/2013, 05:03 PM	#6
MiracleFish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 307	As soon as I unhooked my Fluval 204 and hung on a Refugium, my nitrates dropped from 40 ppm to 20ppm. So if you don't have one already, I highly recommend making/buying a refugium.

03/27/2013, 07:37 PM	#7
Lawman5014 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 50	Yeah - I don't have a refugium and know I need one. My tank is rimless and honestly I don't even know how I'd make even a hang on refugium work.

03/27/2013, 07:45 PM	#8
MiracleFish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 307	just hangs on, as simple as it sounds. Same concept except on the back. Any Hang on filters can be modded into a fuge, easily an AquaClear such as my own http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2269293