So after finding out about a faulty test kit, i have a nitrate problem like crazy. According to API 160ppm. Since i found this out, i have changed about 55-60 gallons of water (since monday of this week), and my nitrates have not gone down much at all, still showing in the red.
75 gal tank with 30 gal sump
eshopps psk150 skimmer
2 reactors (rowaphos and bioplastics)
Any help would be great…
How long have you been running the bio pellets?
i was running them about a month, i took them offine about a month ago. I just started them back up last week in hopes it would help this issue.
Did you start with new pellets, or use the old ones? If the old ones, how did you store them?
I restarted with new pellets… Im at a loss, after changing this much water I thought I would certainly see a much bigger drop in nitrates.
Did you start your full load of bio pellets again or did you start them a little at a time??
You need to start at a quarter of your needed amount is just like starting new even if they were in water.
[quote=“billrob71, post:6, topic:6818”]
Did you start your full load of bio pellets again or did you start them a little at a time??
You need to start at a quarter of your needed amount is just like starting new even if they were in water.[/quote]
No i started at a very low amount, about 1/4 of recommended full dosage.
You don’t want to start with a full dose of pellets, add about 1/3 the recommended amount, and then the other thirds every two weeks. It will take a few weeks before you see any significant results. Make sure you have the right flow through the reactor(just enough to keep them fluidized), that the effluent is going into the intake of your skimmer(an appropriately sized skimmer in good working order is a must), and they are in the dark.
A quarter the amount is fine, just bring them on incrementally.
Also, it would be best if you took the GFO off line while the pellets are colonizing.
Ill stop the rowaphos. I put that online due to a cyano break out. Would it hurt to take my rock out and dip in fresh saltwater incase there is anything dead on it contributing to my issue?
[quote=“CKI, post:9, topic:6818”]
Ill stop the rowaphos. I put that online due to a cyano break out. Would it hurt to take my rock out and dip in fresh saltwater incase there is anything dead on it contributing to my issue?[/quote]
I would just scrub & siphon what you can see. The freshwater dip may kill too much good bacteria. Have you tried Seachem denitrate? Worked for me in the past. I have also used the live hetrotrophic bacteria suppliment with the bio pellets.http://reefbuilders.com/2011/03/15/bactiv8-npx/
And make sure your water for water changes is good. Like rodi. Tap can be a source of nitrate.
"Up to date parameters…note: Tank was filled with TAP, not RO/DI water…Tap was source of original 40ppm Nitrates."Quoted from Faralon. See his 90 gal tank build first few pages for the complete thing.
And it wouldn’t hurt to check it with another test kit. Try taking a sample to your LFS.
[quote=“Scottman81, post:10, topic:6818”]
[quote=“CKI, post:9, topic:6818”]
Ill stop the rowaphos. I put that online due to a cyano break out. Would it hurt to take my rock out and dip in fresh saltwater incase there is anything dead on it contributing to my issue?[/quote]
I would just scrub & siphon what you can see. The freshwater dip may kill too much good bacteria.
And it wouldn’t hurt to check it with another test kit. Try taking a sample to your LFS.[/quote]
I mean make a fresh batch of saltwater and dip my rock in that to try to get any bad stuff off… and yes my LFS has tested and its through the roof
Jamie this stuff worked great for me years ago. Dosed this and let the skimmer do all the work.
[quote=“BigCase, post:12, topic:6818”]
Jamie this stuff worked great for me years ago. Dosed this and let the skimmer do all the work.
http://www.marinedepot.com/AZ_NO3_Nitrate_Eliminator_240mL_Nitrate_Phosphate_Eliminator_Additives-AZ_NO3-CP2151-FIADSAWE-vi.html[/quote]
I was wondering if that stuff worked. It seemed too easy, like a snake oil miracle cure.
It’s another form of organic carbon dosing, just like vodka, vinegar, pellets, etc. Since you’re already starting with pellets, I’d give them a chance to start working. If you’re going to stay with the pellets, it would be best if you didn’t introduce another form, since it has the potential of creating excessive bacteria colonies, and possibly clogging up your reactor. If you have cyano I’d continue doing WC’s siphoning off as much as you can. What’s the condition of your skimmer, it will be the most important piece of equipment when using pellets, or any othe form of carbon dosing? This article is a little bit dated, but worth reading:
Clipon fixture w/ a light on your refugium (if you have one in your sump) and some cheato? I tried bio-pellets, de-nitrate, water changes. Best thing I’ve ever done was cheatomorpha. As long as its growing, its eating up nitrates.
Goodluck. Patience and good husbandry of the tank are key with dealing with nitrate issues.
How does your livestock look? I’m assuming you keep corals and inverts. Really high nitrates would wreak havoc on them.