high Nitrate

[sheatime]

hey guys, my nitrate levels are through the roof, my fish and everything is doing great though.
any tips or suggestions other then water changes as to what i should do differently?
tank consists of -
1 - yellow tang
1 - true percula clownfish
1 - picasso trigger fish
1 - porcupine puffer
1 - orange stripe cardinal
1 - peppermint shrimp
1 - 2 condy anenome
1 - torch coral
1 - red brain coral
60 gallon tank
current usa lights

 

[mike007]

You might try carbon dosing and maybe reduce your feedings . Nitrates are caused by excess nutrients. You have to export more than you adding via protein skimming etc.

 

[sheatime]

Oops forgot to mention protein skimmer... It's a reef octopus hob - 2000 classic. I'm pretty much hand feeding the Picasso and porcupine. The only food that's somewhat uncontrolled is the pellets for the clownfish and Cardinal. But it's still a small amount for them

 

[JimWelsh]

Two words: Vodka dosing. Two more words: Wet skimming. One more word: Patience. The combination of all of the above can work apparent miracles.

 

[heathd.hd]

+1 just change vodka for vinegar. But either will work.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium
Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com
Dosing Vodka: Why? | Melev's Reef

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/sa...-scrubbers%AE-santa-monica-filtration%AE.html

Korallin BioDenitrator w/ Eheim 1048 Pump

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There are many ways to reduce nitrate. I use several of them at the same time (skimming, growing macroalgae, o3ganic carbon dosing, lots of live rock in refugia, water changes).

I discuss and compare the methods here:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION

 

[Paul B]

Your porcupine puffer can eat more than all those other creatures combined.

 

[that Reef Guy]

Two words: Vodka dosing. Two more words: Wet skimming. One more word: Patience. The combination of all of the above can work apparent miracles.

So Wet Skimming pulls out more than Dry Skimming?

How much more does it pull out?

 

[that Reef Guy]

There are many ways to reduce nitrate. I use several of them at the same time (skimming, growing macroalgae, o3ganic carbon dosing, lots of live rock in refugia, water changes).

I discuss and compare the methods here:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION

I have a bunch of Halimeda and it does nothing to lower Nitrates.

I know most people use Chaeto.

Is Halimeda just an Inferior Macro-Algae to other Types?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have a bunch of Halimeda and it does nothing to lower Nitrates.

I know most people use Chaeto.

Is Halimeda just an Inferior Macro-Algae to other Types?

Halimeda is fine, but usually a slower grower hence less export. It is the amount of new tissue added daily that determines the amount of nutrients exported.

I grow Caulerpa racemosa because I think it is more efficient than Chaetomorpha.

 

[JimWelsh]

So Wet Skimming pulls out more than Dry Skimming?

How much more does it pull out?

I was just reciting what worked for me. I think that, by definition, wet skimming pulls out more "something" (even if it is just water).

My real point is, if you are dosing a carbon source, the conventional wisdom is that you want to make sure your skimmer is working well, in order to export the bacteria being produced.