Reducing Nitrates

reefwars · #1 09-02-2011, 04:43 AM

personally i would up the water changes to a larger volume maybe 20% a week that will bring it down considerately but you will need to find out where its coming from or it will just come back,like myka said elbow grease is the cure basically not to pollute your tank and keep it clean,adjust your flow so ditrius doesnt settle in dead spots.feed a bit less untill its down.

fishytime · #2 09-02-2011, 01:01 PM

I agree with Denny, more and larger water changes.......the solution doesnt lie in a bottle.....also 1/2 cup a week is diddly squat for skimmate, what kind of skimmer is it?.....my BK will produce that much in a day!

Parker · #3 09-02-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

my BK will produce that much in a day!

Mr. Fancy Pants!

lastlight · #4 09-02-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

I agree with Denny, more and larger water changes.......the solution doesnt lie in a bottle.....also 1/2 cup a week is diddly squat for skimmate, what kind of skimmer is it?.....my BK will produce that much in a day!

</ego-stroke-a-thon>

fishytime · #5 09-02-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

</ego-stroke-a-thon>

oh, your just bitter you sold yours

lastlight · #6 09-02-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

oh, your just bitter you sold yours

Well no kidding =)

martinmcnally · #7 09-02-2011, 10:31 PM

I battled with Nitrates for a LONG time. Tried everything from lights to sand to rock to skimmer etc. I was recommended bio-pellets. Tried one brand and it didnt make any difference then i tried Vertex Bio-Pellets, after about 3-4 months my Nirtates fell to zero and have never risen since. I think a good skimmer is a big part of the equation too though.

Reef Pilot · #8 09-03-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinmcnally

I battled with Nitrates for a LONG time. Tried everything from lights to sand to rock to skimmer etc. I was recommended bio-pellets. Tried one brand and it didnt make any difference then i tried Vertex Bio-Pellets, after about 3-4 months my Nirtates fell to zero and have never risen since. I think a good skimmer is a big part of the equation too though.

Good to hear, and that is what I have heard from a few others. I just bought a Vertex reactor,and the Vertex Pro-bio pellets. I haven't set it up yet, and still doing research before I start. Seems like the most important thing is to start up slow, so that is what I am planning.

Have had more than one person tell me though, to start with slow vodka dosing first, and then the bio pellets with the reactor. So might try that too.

I don't think my skimmer is working right though, judging by what little skimmate I get, and from what I have heard from others. Will see what it does once I start the carbon dosing.