Can't lower nitrates !

[427HISS]

I've been a long time reefer and have had several tanks, but I can't get my wife's 29 Biocubes nitrates to lower?

Mixed reef.
Set up for 4 months.
Live black sand.
About 40lbs of dead rock.
Used Dr. Tim's One and Only plus his ammonia.
2 small clown fish.
2 small wrasses.
The new 9001 TUNZE skimmer
Very little use of activated carbon so far
Reef Crystals salt.
Kalkwasser.

Ammonia- 0
Nitrite-0
PH-7.8-8.0

But, the nitrates are over 40-50 ppm !
Two weeks ago, I did three consecutive days of 7 gallon water changes, but did little of lowering them.
Tested with a new test. Kit, same results..

This tank puzzle's me ?
I do not,.....over feed so that's not the issue.

Might try some GFO.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I

I do not,.....over feed so that's not the issue.

Might try some GFO.

GFO does nothing for nitrate.

It's not overfeeding that matters. It's the amount of food. Eaten or not, nearly all of the nitrogen in it ends up as ammonia and then nitrate.

I'd look to one of the many nitrogen export methods, such as organic carbon dosing, growing macroalgae, a denitrator, and skimming. I do all of those except a denitrator.

 

[427HISS]

Just kidding about the GFO, as it seems that a lot of people think it's the answer for any problem. :squigglemouth:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ok.

 

[427HISS]

This is the first tank that I've not,....use quality & cured "live rock". I do believe in Tim's bacteria, it cycled in 3 days, but I don't think any of the cultured live rock, like the product "Reel Reef" etc.,....has the quality and quantity of nitrifying bacteria that the real reefs around the world supports. The handful of company's producing their man made rock then sit's in tubs to gain bacteria's naturally, will support much more and faster, than my dead rock and adding bottled bacteria's.

So, I will continue using dead rock and just take adding fish much,....slower.

I think that's the key, don't you ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd personally look to carbon dosing or macroalgae since phosphate also needs to be exported.

 

[Reefing Madness]

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/179068-vodka.html

 

[427HISS]

Vodka scares me. I'm diabetic ! :tongue:

Seriously, I haven't read anything about this method yet.

How to, pro's & con's,...etc. ?

 

[Reefing Madness]

May see some Cyano, may not see it. I've been doing it for years. Nothing wrong with my tank.

Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com
Dosing Vodka: Why? | Melev's Reef

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium

 

[427HISS]

I'll do some reading.
Thanks for the links !

 

[427HISS]

I did about a 60-65% water change today and I tested the water 4 hrs later, and it's sill very high around 50 ppm ! :squigglemouth:

I'm beginning to think that using dead rock and the Dr. Tim's bacteria, does not supply enough sufficient nitrifying to handle 4 small fish, that we don't over feed ?

Although I'm not a fan of large water changes unless it's a emergency, should I preform another 60% (+) water change tomorrow ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I did about a 60-65% water change today and I tested the water 4 hrs later, and it's sill very high around 50 ppm ! :squigglemouth:

I'm beginning to think that using dead rock and the Dr. Tim's bacteria, does not supply enough sufficient nitrifying to handle 4 small fish, that we don't over feed ?

Although I'm not a fan of large water changes unless it's a emergency, should I preform another 60% (+) water change tomorrow ?

Nitrifying bacteria produce nitrate, not consume it.

Do you mean denitrifying bacteria?

Such bacteria all need organic carbon sources, and while there may sometimes be enough naturally in the water, if there is not, adding some (such as vodka or vinegar) will assist.

Do you know that your kit is working?

What does it read on new salt water?

 

[427HISS]

Yes, I meant denitrifying. Sometimes I type and think too fast !

I'm using API (that was included in a tank buy) and even bought a new API Nitrate kit thinking the original was out of date, but there's no difference.
I did a Nitrate test on the RO/DI water a while back but don't recall the results, so I'll check it this afternoon. We buy the water from the grocery store, Super Saver, as I don't have my new RO/DI set up yet in the fish room.
I'll also test the new saltwater batch.

Thanks Randy,
Kev

 

[hart24601]

How dirty is your sand? I had so many issues with sand especially in small tanks. Just couldn't clean it well with all the coral and it was the source of the eventual problems the tank had until I removed it.

 

[427HISS]

It's not really. It went through the typical diatom cycle that lasted only 2 weeks (at the most), thanks to a clean up crew. Snails/crabs.
It's also "live" black sand.

Never had an issue with diatom's on the glass. Clean once a week as there's not much there.

 

[427HISS]

Yes, I meant denitrifying. Sometimes I type and think too fast !

I'm using API (that was included in a tank buy) and even bought a new API Nitrate kit thinking the original was out of date, but there's no difference.
I did a Nitrate test on the RO/DI water a while back but don't recall the results, so I'll check it this afternoon. We buy the water from the grocery store, Super Saver, as I don't have my new RO/DI set up yet in the fish room.
I'll also test the new saltwater batch.

Thanks Randy,
Kev

Ok, just did some testing.

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0

Nitrate- 60 +. Wife thinks it's well over that according to the red color chart.

Even the large water change did not do much if anything ?

I tested the RO/DI water and a new salt batch. tested 0. I was almost hoping it was the RO/DI water, as at least it may have been a answer.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd personally recommend either organic carbon dosing, or growing macroalgae. Both can do a good job on nutrients.

 

[zemuss]

Algae Turf Scrubber I would say does a better job at exporting nutrients. This is of course my opinion. Next Macro Algae and the Bio Pellets. I don't like the bio pellets method due to having to maintian alk.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't like the bio pellets method due to having to maintian alk.

I'm not sure what you mean by that part.

Biopellets and organic carbon dosing in general do not deplete alkalinity.

 

[zemuss]

To clarify, you are right it doesn't deplete Alkalinity, but you have to maintain a 8 dkh to 9 dkh I have found. If you don't you will see that coral tips start to burn. I rather not have to keep on top of that issue and rather use a more natural way ATS / Macro Algae to reduce nitrates. If I recall live organism will also help you keep the po4 in check too.