Nitrates Are Killing Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

jencrane63

AC Members
Sep 9, 2006
23
0
0
missouri
ANYONE THAT HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE THEM TO ME... I HAVE A 75 GALLON TANK WITH A RENA XP3 FILTER WITH INLINE 13 WATT UV STERILIZER, AQUA-C REMORA SKIMMER, AQUARIPURE DENITRATOR, LARGE POWERHEAD WITH HIGH GALLON TURNOVER RATE. MY LIVE SAND BED IS ABOUT 2 INCHES DEEP AND I HAVE ABOUT 50 POUNDS OF LIVE ROCK. MY LIVESTOCK ARE 1 FOXFACE RABBIT FISH, 1 TANG, I CLOWNFISH, 2 GREEN CHROMIS, 1 BLUE DAMSEL, 1 GREEN MANDARIN, 1 SIFTING SAND STAR, SEVERAL HERMIT CRABS AND ABOUT 75 VARIOUS SNAILS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET MY NITRATES UNDER 20 AND THEY USUALLY RUN 40. I HAVE BEEN DOING WATER CHANGES TWICE A WEEK. 9 GALLON CHANGE FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW AND NOTHING SEEMS TO CHANGE THE NITRATE LEVELS. PHOSPAHTE LEVELS ARE ALMOST NOTHING. CALCIUM IN IN THE NORM. MY SALINITY IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY. HELP HELP HELP....... :o
 
What types of media are you running in your canister filter? Nitrates can build up on filter floss like media. Clean it out along with your water changes.
Also Id add some more rock 50lbs in a 75 isn't quite enough shoot for 75-100 lbs.

Just my opinion, hope this helps some.
 
Nitrates are the END product of the nitrogen cycle. If it was me, I'd remove the canister filter and add 25 more pounds of rock. If you know your nitrates are high, reduce what you're feeding the tank (if you can do that without starting the foxface or the tang!). Increased water change frequency can also help, but you basically have a constant nitrate factory there in that canister filter. More rock, more water changes, less food, no aerobic bacteria utilizing filtration, and POOF, nitrates will disappear.

If your sand bed is not sugar fine sand, I'd consider removing it or at least replacing it with at least 3 inches of sand that is. 2" is going to be struggling to form an anaerobic layer which is also going to be contributing to your problem.

Barbie
 
How many GPH of flow do you have in there? What kind of tang?

I also think your rather overstocked, the tank really is in't big enough for two, tangs/tang sized fish.

Please shut caps lock off, all capitalized letters are not going to increase the chances your going to get answers, actually they could turn some people away, as all capital letters like that gennerally indicates shoulting.
 
Test for NitrItes....liquid Nitrate tests will show elevated levels when Nitrites are present. If Nitrites are present you might have a more serious problem on your hands.
I agree as well---get rid of the canister filter. Look into a refugium if you want to really get rid of the all your DOC's.
 
The fox face and tang are fairly large fish. With that many fish you may never see nitrates very low. Is you denitrator and tank cycled? How long has it been up and running. What is your nitrate level at the denitrator?
 
Okay shut off the caps. Sorry wasn't yelling just desperate. I have ordered 30 lbs more of fine live sand. Emptied the cannister of all media and running empty just for water movement. Will order more live rock. I usually feed my fish reef chili twice a week and cubed frozen variety food every other day. They seem to eat it all and never have any floating around that I can see. the water movement is high in my tank and higher since i have the cannister running empty. So no more fish. I liquid test for nitrates and will monitor them and let you know. Plan to do another water change tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and keep it coming.
 
Forgot to mention I have been running this tank for 1 1/2 years. Tested the water coming from the denitraor and was 40ppm so have contacted the company. Trial and Error they say......
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom