Detritus!!!!

[Gwitness]

I know I am having a nutrient export issue....My nitrates read 5 and my phosphates read 0 but I know they have to be high!! Every time before a water change I use a turkey baster for my rocks and I have SO much detritus come off every single time I do it....I have a lot of flow already (mp40 and 2 Jebeao RW 15s)....I guess my question is how do I get my detritus and nutrient export back under control? My tank is a 180 mixed reef and I have been doing 15 gallon water changes every week, clearly still not working enough. Is bigger or more frequent water changes the only option pretty much for me?

 

[Finnaddict]

Ya man bigger water changes. I have a 180 and do 35-40 g's at least once a month when im lazy but usually twice. You might want to think about more circulation too. I have 2 Jaebo 40's and 2 jaebo 25's plus the flow from my 2 1270GPH return pumps.

 

[Gwitness]

Okay I will step up my water changes then! I'm thinking 20 gallons TWICE a week until I get them under control and then I will do 20 gallons per week once I get everything under control....How many fish do you have? I have 21 and I know that's the reason for my issue and I just let the detritus get ahead of me and my water changes

 

[Finnaddict]

I had 13 but removed a few due to their bad behavior LOL. In the past I have had near 30 without issues. I say increase the circulation so that the waste wont settle and keep up with the WC's. Do you have any other ways to remove the nutrients such as a fuge,pellets or carbon dosing going on? If not you may want to start one up to help you out.

 

[Gwitness]

Okay well that's good to know that you have had up to 30 before! I do not do anything extra, I just wanted to keep it as simple as possible I guess.... I wanted to do a fuge but my sump area is just too small for it to even make an impact.... I have debated bio pellets but I don't know much about them yet.. Someone also told me to run bio pellets I need a fuge?! I don't even know if that's true