160ppm nitrate suggestions?

04V10 · #1 01-26-2013, 11:43 PM

I'd look at doing another huge water change for sure, ensuring that all the rocks and substrate get stirred up for the water change (you probably already know this).

Yes adding some fresh carbon would also be a great idea.

Next to that, if there is room to hang a basket or net, get some macro to put in there for a bit of help with the nutrient export (my friends have done this in the past when they had a nutrient spike). You could probably get some macro for free too from another reefer!!!

FitoPharmer · #2 01-26-2013, 11:52 PM

I am really hesitant to do more large water changes since they are quite costly. I would rather invest in the equipment that will solve the problem permanently.

So far I have identified these issues:
No feeding mode (order controller)
No fuge / ATS (sump needs to be cleared out or marco basket in the main tank)
No skimmer (pending funds)
No filter socks/mechanical filtration(on order)
Flow is too low, 4x 1200gph maxi jets (2x Tunze Turbelle 6085 pending funds)
Light is too dim, 2x 150w 2xPC (2x 400w 4x 48w t5 pending funds)

The question is what will give the greatest bang for the buck as they say.

daniella3d · #3 01-27-2013, 03:05 AM

You should start dosing some carbon source but go slowly. It will take time to lower such huge amount of nitrates, it won't happen in one day. Dosing carbon will be the best way to go I think, for the future at least.

Maybe a reactor with biopellets, but again, go very slowly and a very small quantity to begin with.

A skimmer is a big must in this case.

FitoPharmer · #4 01-27-2013, 03:20 AM

Can I start a week or so before the skimmer arrives?

SoloSK71 · #5 01-27-2013, 03:26 AM

I am definitely not an expert but reading about carbon dosing you seem to need the skimmer to export the bacteria that grow in the reactor on the pellets and slough off.

Charles

xenon · #6 01-27-2013, 03:37 AM

+1 on carbon dosing but don't start until you have a really good skimmer.

daniella3d · #7 01-27-2013, 04:23 AM

Yes wait until you have a very good skimmer otherwise you run the risk of a major bacteria bloom and a big loss in oxygen, dead fish, dead corals etc. Dosing carbon is something to be done very cautiously, because it can be dangerous if done too quickly and without a skimmer to export all that crap.