Nitrate issueissue

[19jonesy86]

So I seem to have a Nitrate issue not quite sure where the issue is arising! Any help would be appreciated I've done a 10% water change and no change on the Nitrate front! I have no idea! It's testing at 160ppm!!

Here are some pics of params and filtration setup!

Temp fluctuates between 26.2°C and 27.6°C (when T5's are on) and salinity is 1.024.

In the first and second compartment there is filter floss not sure how old, in third is carbon, bio balls and live rock and fourth is return pump.

 

[Havasuviking]

I think that bio balls are considered nitrate factory.

 

[19jonesy86]

Would you suggest taking them out?

 

[xREEFINaintEZx]

For the bio balls I've read the same about being niTRATE factories like the canister filters. Might wanna take them out. For lowering the current problem you might want to do larger water changes, people say when lowering nitrate small water change are kind of pointless. Bottom line u want to find the source. In the meantime they have all sorts of media you can put in reactors like these.

 

[Pg513]

What type of livestock?
What size tank?
What are you using for nutrient export? (Skimmer, etc.)

 

[19jonesy86]

Fish:
1x common clown
1x azure damsel
2x 4 striped damsels
1x pistol shrimp
5x snails

Corals:
Xenia
Cabbage leather
Small polyps
Mushrooms

Tank is 90ltr

And the filtration is just what's in that picture above!

 

[donnievaz]

Lose the bioballs and change out your filter floss at least once a week.

 

[jsker]

I agree with @donnievaz the bio balls and floss are trapping the waste in them, and at this point you have a bio load established. Are you running a skimmer. a protein skimmer will filter most of the waste.

 

[mcarroll]

Expiration date on the test kit please?

 

[Havasuviking]

I you have many bio balls, take them out gradually.

 

[donnievaz]

I you have many bio balls, take them out gradually.

Good point, I should have mentioned that.

 

[19jonesy86]

I agree with @donnievaz the bio balls and floss are trapping the waste in them, and at this point you have a bio load established. Are you running a skimmer. a protein skimmer will filter most of the waste.

NO not running a skimmer got nowhere to put one at the minute.

Expiration date on the test kit please?

It says 6/2019

 

[mcarroll]

Cool. :) Don't want to find out it was expired 57 posts from now. ;)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

the biggest down fall of the all in ones is the back chambers do fill up with muck.
on my bio cube I just did all the WC from the back chambers.

 

[19jonesy86]

Cool. :) Don't want to find out it was expired 57 posts from now. ;)

Haha was the first thing I checked before I did a test when I got it!

Ok, so plan is to do a 30% water change from the back chambers, take bio balls out and rinse out filter sponge in rodi water! Wait an hr or so and test? Thoughts?

 

[jsker]

NO not running a skimmer got nowhere to put one at the minute.



It says 6/2019

have you considered a Hang on the back skimmer? I see you are in the UK and the link I put in is just for examples :) The are small and would be a great help with controling the build up of waste.

 

[19jonesy86]

I'll check them out but a bit concerned about noise and don't really want to spend too much as hopefully this time next year I'll have my 300ltr all converted to marine.

 

[Maritimer]

If you're not sure how old that filter floss is ... it's too old.

Filter floss traps organic chunks, and hangs on to them for dear life. Replace the floss every few days to remove the chunks forever.

Good luck with solving your nitrate problems! (And let us know what worked for you! I'm having a set of my own, and don't have any floss to remove!!)

~Bruce

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

replace it with this.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...mpid=11cseYY&gclid=CPaS-dy9jc8CFZKHaQod0LQPaQ