Help with nitrate levels!

[Pufferfish_04]

Hi, soooo I’m 8 months in! Generally speaking I do water changes every Wednesday and Sunday. If I don’t do a water change I dose Microbe-Lift Special Blend and Microbe-Lift Nite-Out II. I never go more than a week without a water change. My biggest issue is Nitrate. All of my other parameters consistently are solid. Due to me not being able to control my nitrate my clean up crews usually aren’t as effective. I’ve switched to a peppermint shrimp, and lawnmower blend in addition to my clown fish. All seem to be doing well but I cannot solve this nitrate issue long term. Should I look into a protien skimmer and if so which one? I have a 15 gallon reef tank.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What kind of filtration do you have on the tank?

 

[Pufferfish_04]

What kind of filtration do you have on

• 225 Micron Filter Sock
• Ceramic Biological Media
• Activated Carbon
• Filter Sponges

I clean all of them periodically. I’ve reduced feeding to once a day for the last month or so. Tank definitely looks cleaner but can’t kick the nitrate spike. Always a few days before my water change. I’m trying to understand protein skimmers and if it would help my problem.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

• 225 Micron Filter Sock
• Ceramic Biological Media
• Activated Carbon
• Filter Sponges

I clean all of them periodically. I’ve reduced feeding to once a day for the last month or so. Tank definitely looks cleaner but can’t kick the nitrate spike. Always a few days before my water change. I’m trying to understand protein skimmers and if it would help my problem.

There is nothing in the filtration that exports nutrients, in fact, your filtration actually holds rotting food and debris until you clean them out. Sponges and socks and filter pads are the so-called 'nitrate factories'. Try to clean them out every 2-3 days, or 4 days at most. Many people, including myself, don't use any form of mechanical filtration at all, meaning no sponges, pads, filter socks etc... nothing.

A skimmer will help because a skimmer exports dissolved organics which will eventually breakdown into nitrates. Dissolved organics also fuel algae growth. Right now, the only means of exporting nutrients and organics are through your water changes.

Other methods of nutrient exports are refugiums, carbon dosing, among others. Activated carbon is good as it also absorbs dissolved organics.

 

[Pufferfish_04]

There is nothing in the filtration that exports nutrients, in fact, your filtration actually holds rotting food and debris until you clean them out. Sponges and socks and filter pads are the so-called 'nitrate factories'. Try to clean them out every 2-3 days, or 4 days at most. Many people, including myself, don't use any form of mechanical filtration at all, meaning no sponges, pads, filter socks etc... nothing.

A skimmer will help because a skimmer exports dissolved organics which will eventually breakdown into nitrates. Dissolved organics also fuel algae growth. Right now, the only means of exporting nutrients and organics are through your water changes.

Other methods of nutrient exports are refugiums, carbon dosing, among others. Activated carbon is good as it also absorbs dissolved organics.

This was so insightful thank you! Now do you have any advice on what skimmer is best for 15 gallon reef tanks. And most reliable?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

This was so insightful thank you! Now do you have any advice on what skimmer is best for 15 gallon reef tanks. And most reliable?

Personally I like Aquaready products, I have the Aquaready Bullet 3, so I would recommend the Bullet-1 for your tank. Other good ones that I never used are the Ice Cap nano skimmer which gets great reviews, and so does the Tunze Comline nano skimmer, these are top brands in the hobby so you can't go wrong with their products.

 

[Pufferfish_04]

Personally I like Aquaready products, I have the Aquaready Bullet 3, so I would recommend the Bullet-1 for your tank. Other good ones that I never used are the Ice Cap nano skimmer which gets great reviews, and so does the Tunze Comline nano skimmer, these are top brands in the hobby so you can't go wrong with their products.

Ended up grabbing an ice cap 120 all in one. Thanks! We will see how this goes. I easily placed it in a rear chamber.