Is there a way to find out the culprit of my high nitrates?

tastingSalty · 09/23/2008, 02:18 PM

I have a 12g eclipse system (which I believe has what is referred to as a wet/dry filtration system) and I am getting 30-40ppm nitrate levels. (I should mention that the tank has been running for a month now) I suspect that either the BIOwheel or the carbon filter is the source of the nitrates because I have been doing regular water changes. I have heard that BIOwheels and filter squares can be nitrate factories, but since I already paid for the equipment I want to make sure that removing/throwing the stuff out is going to actually solve my problem. Is there a way to pinpoint the source of the nitrates so that I can attack it? As always, thanks for your help guys!

tastingSalty · 09/23/2008, 02:23 PM

I'll go ahead and post the rest of my water levels:

Amm, trite = 0
pH = 7.8
ca = 475
temp = 79.9

greggnyce · 09/23/2008, 02:24 PM

Do you have foam filter pads Anywhere? Are you using ro/di water?

chimmike · 09/23/2008, 02:25 PM

what's your clean up crew? Even water changes can't get rid of detritus that sits in the tank.

thecoralreefer · 09/23/2008, 02:31 PM

If you replace the bio wheel and carbo pad on a regular basis it should be fine. These systems are built to suceed. As long as you do not overload the system. 1 month is really inside the cycle still and I think your trites will subside givin time.
and your clown is an ocillaris, like Nemo ???

thecoralreefer · 09/23/2008, 02:32 PM

Oh how often do you feed

Michael · 09/23/2008, 02:34 PM

personally i think after just 4 weeks the levels are to be expected, it takes a while for them to drop tbh, and its down to good husbandry to keep them there when they eventually get to 0, also with a 12 gallon system its a job to get to 0, so dont be too down beat everything seems normal at 4 weeks to me

greggnyce · 09/23/2008, 02:38 PM

I started with a 24gl nano, it was very difficult compared to a larger system. With a 12gl things can go wrong very fast. I eventually upgraded to a 90gl and it was much easier.

tastingSalty · 09/23/2008, 03:20 PM

I don't have any foam filter pads except for the carbon box in the filter. I am using RO water and my clean up crew consists of 1 turbo, 1 blue leg hermit, and 4 nassarius snails. I also feed twice a day but a very little each time.

Would it be possible to put my filter in a cup of tank water overnight and test that water the next day to see if there are REALLY high nitrates to see if THAT is the culprit? just an idea . . .

Also, assuming that my tank was functioning normally (in that my nitrates were just an effect of the relatively new tank) about how long would you guys guess that they would drop to 0?

Thanks again for the help guys.

Michael · 09/23/2008, 03:23 PM

with a 12 gallon it could take 3-4 months before settling at 0 and thats with proper maintenance, theres no rush just keep the tank clean and make sure your ro-di water is pure by means of a meter, it will get there

chimmike · 09/23/2008, 03:30 PM

need more snails!

tastingSalty · 09/23/2008, 03:30 PM

Great! Thanks Michael.

tastingSalty · 09/23/2008, 03:31 PM

More snails? Its only a 12g . . How many do you suggest?

09/23/2008, 02:18 PM	#1
tastingSalty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 498	Is there a way to find out the culprit of my high nitrates? I have a 12g eclipse system (which I believe has what is referred to as a wet/dry filtration system) and I am getting 30-40ppm nitrate levels. (I should mention that the tank has been running for a month now) I suspect that either the BIOwheel or the carbon filter is the source of the nitrates because I have been doing regular water changes. I have heard that BIOwheels and filter squares can be nitrate factories, but since I already paid for the equipment I want to make sure that removing/throwing the stuff out is going to actually solve my problem. Is there a way to pinpoint the source of the nitrates so that I can attack it? As always, thanks for your help guys!

09/23/2008, 02:23 PM	#2
tastingSalty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 498	I'll go ahead and post the rest of my water levels: Amm, trite = 0 pH = 7.8 ca = 475 temp = 79.9 __________________ ~\| Jon \|~ Learning is everything in reefkeeping. Current Tank Info: 12g Nano Mixed Reef Hybrid ZeoVit/Neo-Zeo, 150w MH DE, 10g sump with Octopus NWB-150 Protein Skimmer, CPR overflow, Koralia PHs, ATO.com, TLF Reactor, QuietOne Return Pump, ReefKeeper Lite

09/23/2008, 02:24 PM	#3
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	Do you have foam filter pads Anywhere? Are you using ro/di water? __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

09/23/2008, 02:25 PM	#4
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	what's your clean up crew? Even water changes can't get rid of detritus that sits in the tank. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

09/23/2008, 02:31 PM	#5
thecoralreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: west palm beach.fl Posts: 440	If you replace the bio wheel and carbo pad on a regular basis it should be fine. These systems are built to suceed. As long as you do not overload the system. 1 month is really inside the cycle still and I think your trites will subside givin time. and your clown is an ocillaris, like Nemo ??? __________________ If it can be done I will try. If you say it can't I try harder. Current Tank Info: 29 bioreef

09/23/2008, 02:32 PM	#6
thecoralreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: west palm beach.fl Posts: 440	Oh how often do you feed __________________ If it can be done I will try. If you say it can't I try harder. Current Tank Info: 29 bioreef

09/23/2008, 02:34 PM	#7
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	personally i think after just 4 weeks the levels are to be expected, it takes a while for them to drop tbh, and its down to good husbandry to keep them there when they eventually get to 0, also with a 12 gallon system its a job to get to 0, so dont be too down beat everything seems normal at 4 weeks to me __________________ 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)

09/23/2008, 02:38 PM	#8
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	I started with a 24gl nano, it was very difficult compared to a larger system. With a 12gl things can go wrong very fast. I eventually upgraded to a 90gl and it was much easier. __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

09/23/2008, 03:20 PM	#9
tastingSalty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 498	I don't have any foam filter pads except for the carbon box in the filter. I am using RO water and my clean up crew consists of 1 turbo, 1 blue leg hermit, and 4 nassarius snails. I also feed twice a day but a very little each time. Would it be possible to put my filter in a cup of tank water overnight and test that water the next day to see if there are REALLY high nitrates to see if THAT is the culprit? just an idea . . . Also, assuming that my tank was functioning normally (in that my nitrates were just an effect of the relatively new tank) about how long would you guys guess that they would drop to 0? Thanks again for the help guys. __________________ ~\| Jon \|~ Learning is everything in reefkeeping. Current Tank Info: 12g Nano Mixed Reef Hybrid ZeoVit/Neo-Zeo, 150w MH DE, 10g sump with Octopus NWB-150 Protein Skimmer, CPR overflow, Koralia PHs, ATO.com, TLF Reactor, QuietOne Return Pump, ReefKeeper Lite

09/23/2008, 03:23 PM	#10
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	with a 12 gallon it could take 3-4 months before settling at 0 and thats with proper maintenance, theres no rush just keep the tank clean and make sure your ro-di water is pure by means of a meter, it will get there __________________ 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)

09/23/2008, 03:30 PM	#11
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	need more snails! __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

09/23/2008, 03:30 PM	#12
tastingSalty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 498	Great! Thanks Michael. __________________ ~\| Jon \|~ Learning is everything in reefkeeping. Current Tank Info: 12g Nano Mixed Reef Hybrid ZeoVit/Neo-Zeo, 150w MH DE, 10g sump with Octopus NWB-150 Protein Skimmer, CPR overflow, Koralia PHs, ATO.com, TLF Reactor, QuietOne Return Pump, ReefKeeper Lite

09/23/2008, 03:31 PM	#13
tastingSalty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 498	More snails? Its only a 12g . . How many do you suggest? __________________ ~\| Jon \|~ Learning is everything in reefkeeping. Current Tank Info: 12g Nano Mixed Reef Hybrid ZeoVit/Neo-Zeo, 150w MH DE, 10g sump with Octopus NWB-150 Protein Skimmer, CPR overflow, Koralia PHs, ATO.com, TLF Reactor, QuietOne Return Pump, ReefKeeper Lite