Apone
12-29-2003, 10:10 PM
I have the classic FO tank. I have a 90G tank, a shallow crushed coral substrate, and "dead" rock such as lava rock for the fish to use for shelter.
For filtration I have a large (Amiracle brand) wet/dry trickle filter along with a Eheim 2028 Pro 2 cannister filter. I have had very good luck with my tank since it was first set-up 1.5 years ago, but lately my nitrates have risen, along with my green microalgae.
I do not use LR or a DSB. Consequently, I have begun to get elevated levels of nitrate. Although my ammonia and nitrite are fine, my nitrate is high.
I understand I have high nitrates because I am using a wet/dry filter, which allows for the growth of aerobic bacteria which break down ammonia and nitrite very well, but does not allow for the growth of anaerobic bacteria which break down nitrate, hence my high nitrate levels.
The way I look at it I have two methods to rid my tank of nitrate:
1. use LR which contains anerobic bacteria deep within the rock to convert the nitrate to nitrogen gas
2. use a protein skimmer which will remove the dissolved organics that are creating much of my nitrate.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what the better approach is here?
I really would like to come to conclusion here...I have read so much on these two options that I cannot decide which method is best. I do treat my tank when necessary with ich (inverterbrate)killing medications (I just did this tonight for the first time this year - I think due to my higher nitrate which is stressing my fish) so perhaps this would be detrimental to any LR I would be adding.
Thank you for any thoughts!
For filtration I have a large (Amiracle brand) wet/dry trickle filter along with a Eheim 2028 Pro 2 cannister filter. I have had very good luck with my tank since it was first set-up 1.5 years ago, but lately my nitrates have risen, along with my green microalgae.
I do not use LR or a DSB. Consequently, I have begun to get elevated levels of nitrate. Although my ammonia and nitrite are fine, my nitrate is high.
I understand I have high nitrates because I am using a wet/dry filter, which allows for the growth of aerobic bacteria which break down ammonia and nitrite very well, but does not allow for the growth of anaerobic bacteria which break down nitrate, hence my high nitrate levels.
The way I look at it I have two methods to rid my tank of nitrate:
1. use LR which contains anerobic bacteria deep within the rock to convert the nitrate to nitrogen gas
2. use a protein skimmer which will remove the dissolved organics that are creating much of my nitrate.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what the better approach is here?
I really would like to come to conclusion here...I have read so much on these two options that I cannot decide which method is best. I do treat my tank when necessary with ich (inverterbrate)killing medications (I just did this tonight for the first time this year - I think due to my higher nitrate which is stressing my fish) so perhaps this would be detrimental to any LR I would be adding.
Thank you for any thoughts!