160ppm nitrate suggestions?

[daniella3d]

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.

[monocus]

you could build a nitrate reactor out of pvc,black air line and plastic scouring pads-takes about a month for results but it works well

[kien]

You could try Prodibio? I just recently read on the forum that you don't need a skimmer to use that carbon dosing system.

[FitoPharmer]

Originally Posted by kien

You could try Prodibio? I just recently read on the forum that you don't need a skimmer to use that carbon dosing system.

I heard that it get quite expensive for results on a system this size. Since the budget is so tight I need to spend it where I will get the best long term effects for the $$$ invested. For years the previous care takers have just been wasting their money dumping into fish after fish not updating anything.

[Reef Pilot]

Don't understand why anyone would even think of running a tank that size without a skimmer!! With nitrates that high, it will take some time and effort to get back to a decent level. Skimmer, water changes, carbon dosing and/or bio pellets, and filter socks will all be needed, I believe. I don't think there is a single magic bullet.

I had about 100 ppm nitrates in a tank that I inherited after a house purchase. I used bio pellets, rinsed the rocks, vacuumed the sand, increased my flow, etc. to get my nitrates down to zero. But it took many months.

With carbon dosing and bio pellets, it is very important to start heavy dosing with MB7 (or equivalent) beforehand, to avoid other problems like cyano, cloudy water, mulm and clumping of the pellets in your reactor. Also a good idea to start slow and ramp up over a couple months.

Good luck!!

[monocus]

type in diy nitrate reactor.i built mine using 2' of 3" pvc and about 30'-35 ' of black air tubing.you need around 10 plastic scouring pads,a mini ball valve,reef safe silicone and a small pump.oh ya-lots of patience-it is a pain to coil the airline inside the pvc,but a heat gun helps.the build i copied it from used 4" pvc and 50' of hose

[FitoPharmer]

Originally Posted by monocus

type in diy nitrate reactor.i built mine using 2' of 3" pvc and about 30'-35 ' of black air tubing.you need around 10 plastic scouring pads,a mini ball valve,reef safe silicone and a small pump.oh ya-lots of patience-it is a pain to coil the airline inside the pvc,but a heat gun helps.the build i copied it from used 4" pvc and 50' of hose

Cool, thanks! I will check that out.

[FitoPharmer]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Don't understand why anyone would even think of running a tank that size without a skimmer!! With nitrates that high, it will take some time and effort to get back to a decent level. Skimmer, water changes, carbon dosing and/or bio pellets, and filter socks will all be needed, I believe. I don't think there is a single magic bullet.

I had about 100 ppm nitrates in a tank that I inherited after a house purchase. I used bio pellets, rinsed the rocks, vacuumed the sand, increased my flow, etc. to get my nitrates down to zero. But it took many months.

With carbon dosing and bio pellets, it is very important to start heavy dosing with MB7 (or equivalent) beforehand, to avoid other problems like cyano, cloudy water, mulm and clumping of the pellets in your reactor. Also a good idea to start slow and ramp up over a couple months.

Good luck!!

The knowledge at the local LFS's around here about salt water is okay at best, and horribly insufficient for most of the items they sell to the customers. For example: the best skimmer, heck the only skimmer I have seen for sale in town is the coral life super skimmer. I affectionately refer to them as super soakers, since when I worked at one LFS they has a 70% return rate. The tank was taken care of previously by people who did not have the time or knowledge to upgrade them properly. Thank you all again for the suggestions. I have MB7 on order as well, I plan on using up some of my vinegar first, then I may try bio pellets down the line, budget permitting.

[FitoPharmer]

Originally Posted by monocus

you could build a nitrate reactor out of pvc,black air line and plastic scouring pads-takes about a month for results but it works well

Did you have a good link by any chance?