Help with high Nitrates

[hexumjunkie]

First off let me just say everything seems healthy in my 46 gallon reef tank. That being said here is what I have equipment wise.

46 Gallon bowfront
Marineland c360 filter.
Marineland Emperor 400 HOB filter
Heater
CPR bak pak skimmer
2 hydor powerheads
Current orbit marine reef led

Nitrates are off the chart. In the marine land emporer baskets I have some bio rings. I have some bio balls in the c360 as well as some rings too.

Please help! Im doing water changes.

 

[hexumjunkie]

Ps, just bought an R/o kit from BRS. my top off r/o water has been around 75ppm. (the best quality I could find in my area)

 

[Mufasa31]

The biowheel and bio rings are contributing to your high nitrates.

How much live rock do you have in your tank?

 

[Mufasa31]

ALso 75 ppm after R/O seems high.

What is your water prior to filtering?

I would look into adding a DI stage. Most people are are 0 ppm after R/O and DI.

 

[hexumjunkie]

I get my water from a machine as my tap water is about 330ppm. I bought a ro/di from BRS. Will be in this week. you recommend getting rid of the HOB bio wheel?

 

[Jonreefer]

yea i would remove that stuff from the HOB as it doesnt really do much. That unit you were getting water from must have never had its filters replaced. My tap water is only 105 on my TDS meter. Maybe you could add some LR rubble in the HOB instead but that small amount I dont think is going to do a whole bunch. You could also look into Red Sea NoPo to help reduce nitrates as alot of people using it seem to have good results. Red Sea NO3O4-X Nitrate & Phosphate Reducer - Bulk Reef Supply
There is also the addition of running bio pellets but read up on them first. I just added them to my system as i had a little high nitrate at 12 because I was feeding to much at first to make sure my anthias was healthy.

 

[hexumjunkie]

you think i should remove the HOB biowheel all togehter? Just run the marineland c3-360?

 

[hexumjunkie]

Have about 60lbs of live rock in the tank.

 

[Bad Company]

Consider adding a waterfall algae scrubber. Mine brought my nitrates down from 40ppm to zero after my tank cycled. They are spectacular and can be built for less than $50. No media to buy, once a week maintenance for 30 minutes tops.

 

[Mufasa31]

Is the C360 a canister filter? If so, that can lead to issues down the road.

It appears you may be over filtering your tank. 60 pounds of live rock, C360 and Emporer. The live rock alone (with good circulation) should provide enough filtration.

I would consider removing either the C360 or the Emporer. Just note you may get a mini cycle as the bacteria populations need time to adjust.

 

[hexumjunkie]

IF I remove the HOB do ihave anything to worry about? Should I maybe do this over time? Remove a media basket 1 week, another the next, filter pad's and so on.