cant get nitrates down

thriceanangel · 05/02/2006, 08:54 PM

I added my live rock about 2 months ago and I cant get my nitrates below 30 ppm. I was running with bio balls ( or a substitute ) I also was running the overflow through gravel in the sump, and through a filter sock. I have some calerpa, and some other scrubber macro algae. Since I have added the rock I have done 2 50% h2o changes. And I have gotten rid of the bio balls and the gravel, and only have a prefilter spone and one filter sock that I have kept clean. I have diatomic algae ( I assume that it is as it is red and hair like) that went away for a while but now is back, and I have cut back lighting to quell this. A friend gave me some frags when the nitrates were low, but they have increased, will this kill the frags? And how can I get my nitrates to where they should be? I am blowing the diatomic off the substrate daily, should I do this or just let it go?

Thanks

chef4465 · 05/02/2006, 09:25 PM

GET SOME PHOS X SHOULD GET RID OF ALGAE AND HELP REDUCE NITRITES

thriceanangel · 05/02/2006, 09:39 PM

Nitrites are fine but will it lower the nitrates? Thanks for the reply

nitratesucks · 05/02/2006, 09:53 PM

Sounds like your going to have to do a couple more water changes. And check the water your adding for top off. Make shure there are no nitrates in it. There are a couple threads here on DSB's and RDSB's. Also is the live rock you added cured or uncured? Ill try to find some threads that might help you?

nitratesucks · 05/02/2006, 09:55 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=595109

physicslord · 05/02/2006, 10:37 PM

Test the water you are using to replenish the tank.

You've got to eliminate the possibilities in a scientific manner.

XeniaMania · 05/03/2006, 03:29 AM

First of all, you have a new tank which is bound to go through these cycles. A balance of nutrients and organisms that consume them needs to be created. Some even go as far as saying wait 6 months before adding real livestock into your tank. Denitrate works really well in situations like this. However, it's only a temporary fix. You seem to be doing a lot to your tank at once which could have more detrimental effects than good. Results will show with good husbandry and time.

thriceanangel · 05/03/2006, 03:50 PM

Water added is nitrate free. If I add something to reduce nitrate level chemically, will it upset any balance I may attain later on. ie will it starve the nitrate using bacteria, and then cause a residual buildup?

XeniaMania · 05/03/2006, 04:27 PM

DeNitrate is not a chemical, it's a media that's capable of absorbing Nitrates. You won't be growing much nitrate using bacteria without a medium to grown them in ie denitrating sand bed, denitrating coil, or something along that line. BTW, Denitrate also acts as a medium for growing that type of bacteria when used properly. You'll always get nitrates, it's inevitable as the final stage of the nitrogen process. Keeping a refugium will also keep your nitrates in check as the plants will consume the nitrates in your water. You could possibility still have small amounts of decaying matter in the rocks that is getting converted to nitrates at a fast pace. Just because a rock is cured does not equate it to being ammonia free. It usually takes 1-2 years for a system to be fully stabiliized.

Johnsteph10 · 05/03/2006, 05:25 PM

I really have to say that trying to control the problems with chemicals is not the answer.

You have a nutrient import/export problem.
Import:
1. Test your water (ro/di)
2. Feeding
3. Bioload

Export:
1. Skimmer (What kind?)
2. Live rock
3. Water changes

Those are the big ones. How about you fill us in more about your tank?

05/02/2006, 08:54 PM	#1
thriceanangel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Livonia, NY Posts: 1,729	cant get nitrates down I added my live rock about 2 months ago and I cant get my nitrates below 30 ppm. I was running with bio balls ( or a substitute ) I also was running the overflow through gravel in the sump, and through a filter sock. I have some calerpa, and some other scrubber macro algae. Since I have added the rock I have done 2 50% h2o changes. And I have gotten rid of the bio balls and the gravel, and only have a prefilter spone and one filter sock that I have kept clean. I have diatomic algae ( I assume that it is as it is red and hair like) that went away for a while but now is back, and I have cut back lighting to quell this. A friend gave me some frags when the nitrates were low, but they have increased, will this kill the frags? And how can I get my nitrates to where they should be? I am blowing the diatomic off the substrate daily, should I do this or just let it go? Thanks

05/02/2006, 09:53 PM	#4
nitratesucks Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: bc canada Posts: 71	Sounds like your going to have to do a couple more water changes. And check the water your adding for top off. Make shure there are no nitrates in it. There are a couple threads here on DSB's and RDSB's. Also is the live rock you added cured or uncured? Ill try to find some threads that might help you? __________________ My aquarium slowly dies without me. I slowly die without my aquarium. Current Tank Info: 225 Etss900,Quiteone 5000 250watt mh 96watt PC 250 lbs live rock,Aquacontoller jr

05/02/2006, 09:55 PM	#5
nitratesucks Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: bc canada Posts: 71	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=595109 __________________ My aquarium slowly dies without me. I slowly die without my aquarium. Current Tank Info: 225 Etss900,Quiteone 5000 250watt mh 96watt PC 250 lbs live rock,Aquacontoller jr

05/02/2006, 10:37 PM	#6
physicslord Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 469	Test the water you are using to replenish the tank. You've got to eliminate the possibilities in a scientific manner. __________________ a border collie is my pilot animal Current Tank Info: 12 gal. JBJ nanoDX, BB, 2x24W PC lighting, JBJ ballast, Maxijet 400 powerhead, Hagen Tronic 100W heater, Red Sea 60 skimmer with Hagen Elite 802 pump.

05/03/2006, 05:25 PM	#10
Johnsteph10 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The South Posts: 2,537	I really have to say that trying to control the problems with chemicals is not the answer. You have a nutrient import/export problem. Import: 1. Test your water (ro/di) 2. Feeding 3. Bioload Export: 1. Skimmer (What kind?) 2. Live rock 3. Water changes Those are the big ones. How about you fill us in more about your tank? __________________ John Current Tank Info: None

05/02/2006, 09:25 PM	#2
chef4465 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: FAIRPORT, NY Posts: 35	GET SOME PHOS X SHOULD GET RID OF ALGAE AND HELP REDUCE NITRITES

05/02/2006, 09:39 PM	#3
thriceanangel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Livonia, NY Posts: 1,729	Nitrites are fine but will it lower the nitrates? Thanks for the reply

05/03/2006, 03:29 AM	#7
XeniaMania Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 1,627	First of all, you have a new tank which is bound to go through these cycles. A balance of nutrients and organisms that consume them needs to be created. Some even go as far as saying wait 6 months before adding real livestock into your tank. Denitrate works really well in situations like this. However, it's only a temporary fix. You seem to be doing a lot to your tank at once which could have more detrimental effects than good. Results will show with good husbandry and time.

05/03/2006, 03:50 PM	#8
thriceanangel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Livonia, NY Posts: 1,729	Water added is nitrate free. If I add something to reduce nitrate level chemically, will it upset any balance I may attain later on. ie will it starve the nitrate using bacteria, and then cause a residual buildup?

05/03/2006, 04:27 PM	#9
XeniaMania Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 1,627	DeNitrate is not a chemical, it's a media that's capable of absorbing Nitrates. You won't be growing much nitrate using bacteria without a medium to grown them in ie denitrating sand bed, denitrating coil, or something along that line. BTW, Denitrate also acts as a medium for growing that type of bacteria when used properly. You'll always get nitrates, it's inevitable as the final stage of the nitrogen process. Keeping a refugium will also keep your nitrates in check as the plants will consume the nitrates in your water. You could possibility still have small amounts of decaying matter in the rocks that is getting converted to nitrates at a fast pace. Just because a rock is cured does not equate it to being ammonia free. It usually takes 1-2 years for a system to be fully stabiliized.