I have a RR525xl - 108 gallon dt....39 gallon sump. It has been up and running for almost 4 months, and things are going well - except - I can't get my nitrates to go below 20ppm.
In the sump, I have 2 filter socks, a skimmer, 1 biobrick, 1 gallon of murine pure bioballs, and a refugium - growing chaeto like its a weed... I also have a large bubble trap sponge - as per the manufacturers design - just before the return pump. The sponge is really nasty, and I'm wondering if it is part of the cause of my nitrate issue. I have a very healthy pod population (I also cultivate in a separate setup for my mandarin) - and I know some of the pods have taken up home in the sponge. So....my question is......would it be ok to remove the sponge - slowly - in bits of course - or would I really affect my pod population - or anything else the I'm not considering.
I've tried removing half the sponge, and rinsing in RO - and putting it back - but so far that hasn't had too much of an effect on nitrates.
I've run Purigen in my 32 gallon biocube in the past.....would that help with the nitrate issue in my 525XL?
I don't think I overfeed, and my skimmer is doing its job. - pulling out nasty dark brown crap.....and I change my filter socks every 2-3 days. Short of MORE water changes (I do 10% a week)....what else should I consider or do for my nitrate issue?
Newbie looking for answers - I can take advice and criticism - so I'm open to suggestions.
In the sump, I have 2 filter socks, a skimmer, 1 biobrick, 1 gallon of murine pure bioballs, and a refugium - growing chaeto like its a weed... I also have a large bubble trap sponge - as per the manufacturers design - just before the return pump. The sponge is really nasty, and I'm wondering if it is part of the cause of my nitrate issue. I have a very healthy pod population (I also cultivate in a separate setup for my mandarin) - and I know some of the pods have taken up home in the sponge. So....my question is......would it be ok to remove the sponge - slowly - in bits of course - or would I really affect my pod population - or anything else the I'm not considering.
I've tried removing half the sponge, and rinsing in RO - and putting it back - but so far that hasn't had too much of an effect on nitrates.
I've run Purigen in my 32 gallon biocube in the past.....would that help with the nitrate issue in my 525XL?
I don't think I overfeed, and my skimmer is doing its job. - pulling out nasty dark brown crap.....and I change my filter socks every 2-3 days. Short of MORE water changes (I do 10% a week)....what else should I consider or do for my nitrate issue?
Newbie looking for answers - I can take advice and criticism - so I'm open to suggestions.