Nitrate Question

[BMorgan]

So I think I have been over this before, but just to run it by you all again. My tank seems to have a nitrate problem as I have had it set up for over 4 months but my nitrates still stay above 20 and quickly rise to 40 or above in the week before I change the water.

I know that I need to get new powerheads (I want 2 Koralia #1s [28 gal tank]) which I think might help with some dead spots where some detritus keeps gathering but what else can I do?:duh:

Would a protein skimmer help? I only have a copule of crabs so maybe if I got some more hermits or some different types of snails?

Each time I change my water I blow all the junk off of my rocks and everything and keep my filter media replaced but still is high. I want 0 nitrates. Maybe adding more sand for a DSB? :huh:

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!

 

[BeelzeBob]

how often to you replace your media?

WHEN i use media (carbon and light floss) its not in my tank for more than 3 days.

if you have a good amount of stuff in your tank, it doesnt take long for that stuff to become saturated with NO3

 

[jowek7]

did you let your tank cycal. are filter media are you using. how much sand and rock do you have

 

[BMorgan]

My tank did cycle as I have no ammonia or nitItes in there. I have about 30lbs of sand giving about 2" worth. I have approx 20-25 lbs of LR (I'm planning on getting more) but I am using light floss and carbon in my filter but I am not changing that frequently maybe once every 1-2 weeks.

 

[clown-lover]

What are you doing for nitrate export? If you don't have anything like macro algae I don't think you'll ever get to a complete 0.. Its tough getting mine under 5 with it..

 

[soccerkidbs]

i would add a skimmer also. that takes the particles out of the water before they get broken down.

 

[gfxslayer]

Its hard to get zero number of nitrate. I think close to zero is fine.
To decrease nitrate you need skimmer, sand, and all filtering media that fit on your tank.
Good luck.

 

[noskimmer]

There are alternatives that you can use to reduce nitrates such as DSB, remote algae, large volume of water ratio to bio load etc. I run 0 nitrate.

 

[cmar]

what kind of water do you use, and have you tested that first? just a thought.

 

[Reefscape]

I think adding a skimmer and refugium with macro algae is going to help you alot..

Niko