Nitrate absorbing media

[john.m.cole3]

I've been using GFO to maintain my phosphate levels and purigen for my nitrates. I feel like the nirtates aren't as easily controlled as the phosphates are. I use BRS rox .8 GAC and their reg GFO along w/ a purigen pouch rated for 100 gallons in my 80 gallon total volume system w/ no fish in it right now, and I change the media every 2 weeks. I am also using a Skimz SM203 rated for 190 gallons heavy bioload skimmer and a Marine Pure brick (8" x 8" x 4"). I feed Marine Snow as directed once a week. My nitrates stay between 10 and 25 )salifert) and phosphates are .03 Hanna ULR checker.

My question is what is a good nitrated absorbing media I can incorporate instead of the purigen. Fish go back in 3 days.

 

[Sabellafella]

I've been using GFO to maintain my phosphate levels and purigen for my nitrates. I feel like the nirtates aren't as easily controlled as the phosphates are. I use BRS rox .8 GAC and their reg GFO along w/ a purigen pouch rated for 100 gallons in my 80 gallon total volume system w/ no fish in it right now, and I change the media every 2 weeks. I am also using a Skimz SM203 rated for 190 gallons heavy bioload skimmer and a Marine Pure brick (8" x 8" x 4"). I feed Marine Snow as directed once a week. My nitrates stay between 10 and 25 )salifert) and phosphates are .03 Hanna ULR checker.

My question is what is a good nitrated absorbing media I can incorporate instead of the purigen. Fish go back in 3 days.

To be honest i dont think you should go crazy over it. I might get bashed for this but i see no reason to use a salifert n03 test, especially the new card is completely different (yet they never altered reagents) so you simply dont know what your nitrates will be. The red sea works good for low range, but after about 4 months the test kits open i feel gives a higher reading. Nyos so far is the best ive used, give it a search plus i have had it for a few months nos with no issues and it works great

 

[john.m.cole3]

i'LL LOOK INTO IT. mY TEST KITS AREN'T EXPIRED, BUT THEY ARE OVER A YEAR OLD

 

[jsker]

This is one reason that I am trying a small amount of bio pellets in a reactor. I have been carbon dosing with low results on the nitrates. My phosphates were in line until I took the GFO off line for my last experiment and the phosphates which were under control went back up to .16ppm, now the Phosphates are dropping again with the GFO. I have read the pros and con of bio pellets and I will report back in a week when the bactira kicks in. My goal is to get near a 4ppm red sea and a 2 to 3 ppm on the phosphates

 

[john.m.cole3]

But I'm looking for an absorbing media. Maybe I should try the throw away purigen

 

[Sabellafella]

But I'm looking for an absorbing media. Maybe I should try the throw away purigen

Purigen is deffinitly your best bet. Or any ammonia absorbing media

 

[zeeGGee]

I have zero nitrate. I'm using DIY refugium-aquaclear 110 filled with chaeto...

 

[Alanc425]

I don't feel like any media will bring your nitrates down to the levels you are looking for. Almost every living thing in your tank is producing nitrates, I would look into dosing carbon, biopellets, chaeto, or an algae scrubber.

However 0 nitrates are not required, the general consensus is shifting to 0-10 nitrates being ideal, might start getting issues going up to 20. Are any of your corals currently browning or are you having algae issues??

 

[Tautog]

I've been fighting No3's for 2 months, using Nopox, bacteria increases seems to be the best way to control. I'm also started using a nitrate pad.
I'm seeing more growth on corals recently, but some look like their dying.
This really is a funny hobby!

 

[Ontheway]

You may want to try Siporax. Needs 2-3 months, though..

 

[jsker]

I've been fighting No3's for 2 months, using Nopox, bacteria increases seems to be the best way to control. I'm also started using a nitrate pad.
I'm seeing more growth on corals recently, but some look like their dying.
This really is a funny hobby!

You need some nitrates in the water for the corals. I would say between 3 to 4 ppm. What are your nitrates? and how much are you dosing for your water volume?

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Use nopox, that'll be easiest. But then you'll be low on nitrate and get excess phosphate(most likely) so you'll need lanthanum chloride or add nitrates. (sodium/potassium/calcium nitrate)

Purigen will never get you zero unless you use like 10 bags. External reactors will work too, housing chaeto, other macro, or Sulphur media. Depends on what you want to do. A reactor, a doser, neither, manually add drops everyday... Take your pic. Nitrate management is pretty vast these days. (I prefer nopox myself)

 

[Tautog]

You need some nitrates in the water for the corals. I would say between 3 to 4 ppm. What are your nitrates? and how much are you dosing for your water volume?

I've been dosing 20 ml/ day. I'm still over 40 200 gal including sump

 

[jsker]

I've been dosing 20 ml/ day. I'm still over 40 200 gal including sump

I was dosing 12 for a 61 gallon water volume with a doser, I change a few things and now my water volume is 81 gallons (added sump, good protein skimmer) I stopped doing Nopox for the reason the complete system look grey. I switched over to a completely different system of management and I am also dosing Bio Pellets and GFO in the sump.

 

[beaslbob]

I have zero nitrate. I'm using DIY refugium-aquaclear 110 filled with chaeto...

+1


IMHO an aquarium balanced out the macro algae (or other algae) has (with hobby test kits) unmeasureable nitrates/phosphates plus the macros absorb co2 and return oxygen and fish food as well. Additionally, should something go bump in the night, the macro will consume ammonia directly preventing dangerous tank crashes.

my .02

 

[FarmerTy]

Run some biopellets in a reactor and call it a day. It'll get you to zero in no time. Then you'll have to figure out how to keep it at 5 ppm instead. That's the harder part... is dialing it in to not just flatline your nitrates to zero.

 

[jsker]

Run some biopellets in a reactor and call it a day. It'll get you to zero in no time. Then you'll have to figure out how to keep it at 5 ppm instead. That's the harder part... is dialing it in to not just flatline your nitrates to zero.

How long did you run the bio pellet before you hit zero? I started with 1/8 dose, what did you start with?

 

[FarmerTy]

How long did you run the bio pellet before you hit zero? I started with 1/8 dose, what did you start with?

Don't ever run full dose. That's just the manufacturer being ridiculous.

I ran 1/4 dose and ramped up just a bit and found the sweet spot. It took about 30 days to really see a good impact and then maybe 45 days to get up to full bore.

 

[Waxhaw reefer]

I run a skimz biopellet reactor, and my nitrates were at 1ppm, then added a fish or two more food and even been dosing probidio and my nitrates have gone to 12-16 as per the Red Sea test kit, no algae problems, my phosphate is usually 0.0, it does go up maybe .10-.12 then I change out my seachem carbon and phosguard, I like that better than gfo, no brown when rinsing, cheaper on Amazon and the round shape seems to work better when I combine the two together, but my few acros have been doing great with the higher nitrates, I'm still trying to get them down but in no rush!

 

[jsker]

Don't ever run full dose. That's just the manufacturer being ridiculous.

I ran 1/4 dose and ramped up just a bit and found the sweet spot. It took about 30 days to really see a good impact and then maybe 45 days to get up to full bore.

doing the same. Thank you for the insight.