Adding sugar to a reef tank?

[andresont]

I was wondering if anybody else has done this sugar therapy to get rid of NO3 ?

Sounds like very easy solution to the problem...
How exactly "bacterial population locks up nitrates and phosphates," works?
I am almost mixing sugar myself but want to know how many people doing that?


please see original post below.














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#16 07-12-2007, 11:33 PM
trilinearmipmap
Member Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Prince Rupert B.C.
Posts: 1,122



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I had some nitrate problems due to overfeeding, the nitrates were about 5 to 10 range, this was earlier this year.

I started adding sugar, went to barely detectable nitrates on the Salifert test, accompanied by much improved skimmate production.

My understanding of how sugar works is bacteria feed on the sugar, the bacterial population locks up nitrates and phosphates, then the bacteria get skimmed out by the skimmer.

I started adding 1/8 or 1/4 tsp of sugar daily in a 120 gallon (I forget which) and gradually increased it to 3/4 tsp daily. Lately I have slacked off and just add 1 tsp every few days when I remember.

Adding sugar is easy and worth trying. I saw no bad effects on my corals though I suggest starting slow and gradually adjusting the sugar dose.
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