Trying something unorthodox

[Applegate]

So I'm new to the hobby as of about 6 months ago. I've continually struggled with nitrates for various reasons from finding out early on my tap water was very high nitrates, to over feeding and most recently thinking my canister filter(recommended by my lfs) is part of the problem. So I made a plan.

Plan: removing my canister filter and installing a diy chaeto reactor with an external dc pump from jebao(figured I could save some money since I don't have a sump) tying into my existing inline heater.

Issues: That cheap jebao pump refused to pump

Compromise: I upgraded my filter media in my canister filter to bio pure and purigen. My thought is that the typical canister filter is thought to turn ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate but unsuccessfully converting it to nitrogen. So by upgrading to a much larger, more surface area media in bio pure, I could possibly complete the cycle. At least slightly. Then my return line, I tied into my chaeto reactor! No need for the dc pump!

I've had nitrates between 15-20ppm. I'll update you on how it works in a few days.

60 gallon tank, fancy clown, snowflake clown, barnacle blenny, Midas blenny, anenome and brain coral.

O, I'm also taking everything I learn and implementing it in a nuvo fusion 40 aio.

 

[The Wannabe Reefer]

So I'm new to the hobby as of about 6 months ago. I've continually struggled with nitrates for various reasons from finding out early on my tap water was very high nitrates, to over feeding and most recently thinking my canister filter(recommended by my lfs) is part of the problem. So I made a plan.

Plan: removing my canister filter and installing a diy chaeto reactor with an external dc pump from jebao(figured I could save some money since I don't have a sump) tying into my existing inline heater.

Issues: That cheap jebao pump refused to pump

Compromise: I upgraded my filter media in my canister filter to bio pure and purigen. My thought is that the typical canister filter is thought to turn ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate but unsuccessfully converting it to nitrogen. So by upgrading to a much larger, more surface area media in bio pure, I could possibly complete the cycle. At least slightly. Then my return line, I tied into my chaeto reactor! No need for the dc pump!

I've had nitrates between 15-20ppm. I'll update you on how it works in a few days.

60 gallon tank, fancy clown, snowflake clown, barnacle blenny, Midas blenny, anenome and brain coral.

O, I'm also taking everything I learn and implementing it in a nuvo fusion 40 aio.

Since you already have the canister why not keep it with Seachem Matrix media or Seachem Denitrate, if you have space add Purigen with Marine Pure Elite. I don't have the space for a Skimmer or Sump.
My Nitrates are less than 10ppm. If you have issues with phosphate add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Rowa per 30 Gal but careful this stuff is powerful.
Anyways this is my cheapo recipe while I get my reefer. [emoji41] working so far with small water changes every other week.