High nitrates!?!?!?!

[Andrew Everage]

Hello all, I have 55 gallon corner tank. All my lvls are perfect except for nitrate (20-30ppm)
My tanks is 4 months old.
has 2 clowns, 1 cleaner, 5 hermits,5 snails.
I have a HOB protein skimmer (2 weeks old)

my main ish is incially I had a canister filter hooked up to my tank too. I stay on top of water changes and cleaning it, but I want to here input on if I should keep the canister filter or maybe is there a way to repurpose it when tank get a little older. Thanks

 

[Spare time]

My guess is overfeeding unless you are spacing out your water changes too much. Try putting a nitrate removing pad in the canister. The other option would be do not run a canister and switch to something where you can clean out the mechanical filter (sponge, sock, etc) with more ease and therefore more frequently.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

My guess is overfeeding unless you are spacing out your water changes too much. Try putting a nitrate removing pad in the canister. The other option would be do not run a canister and switch to something where you can clean out the mechanical filter (sponge, sock, etc) with more ease and therefore more frequently.

+1 as canister filters tend to be nitrate factories when left alone. Do you use ro/di water?

 

[MichaelReefer]

Hello all, I have 55 gallon corner tank. All my lvls are perfect except for nitrate (20-30ppm)
My tanks is 4 months old.
has 2 clowns, 1 cleaner, 5 hermits,5 snails.
I have a HOB protein skimmer (2 weeks old)

my main ish is incially I had a canister filter hooked up to my tank too. I stay on top of water changes and cleaning it, but I want to here input on if I should keep the canister filter or maybe is there a way to repurpose it when tank get a little older. Thanks

Personally I don't think you should be running a canister on a salt water in the first place. But I would guess that is your problem, just like Zoa said.

 

[Dj City]

There is nothing wrong with canister filters for reef tank provided you keep up with the maintenance on the canister.

They can do an excellent job with mechanical and biological filtration but you HAVE to stay on top of the maintenance.

You can do better than canister filter but there is nothing wrong with using one.

What are you using for filtration now?

 

[45ZoaGarden]

There is nothing wrong with canister filters for reef tank provided you keep up with the maintenance on the canister.

They can do an excellent job with mechanical and biological filtration but you HAVE to stay on top of the maintenance.

You can do better than canister filter but there is nothing wrong with using one.

What are you using for filtration now?

That’s why I said when left alone

 

[Andrew Everage]

There is nothing wrong with canister filters for reef tank provided you keep up with the maintenance on the canister.

They can do an excellent job with mechanical and biological filtration but you HAVE to stay on top of the maintenance.

You can do better than canister filter but there is nothing wrong with using one.

What are you using for filtration now?

I am using an aqua max HOB 1.5 dose good but I was kinda worried about taking my canister filter out of the system because the biological bacteria. I honestly wish I could have did a sump but did not have the space...sadly. I honestly didn’t know if the HOB would be enough right now because my tank is still modestly new going on 5 months. I really do appreciate the response.

 

[Andrew Everage]

+1 as canister filters tend to be nitrate factories when left alone. Do you use ro/di water?

I use RODI and water change once a week and canister clean 1 every 2-3 weeks

 

[Andrew Everage]

My guess is overfeeding unless you are spacing out your water changes too much. Try putting a nitrate removing pad in the canister. The other option would be do not run a canister and switch to something where you can clean out the mechanical filter (sponge, sock, etc) with more ease and therefore more frequently.

Got ya I’ll have to look into trying some things thanks for the input

 

[vetteguy53081]

Service filters, do slight water change and add phos/nitrate removing media to your filter utilizing a mesh filter bag
What method are you using to test it?

 

[MERKEY]

I use RODI and water change once a week and canister clean 1 every 2-3 weeks

I'm not sure what canister your using but I rinse mine in ro water every week. All that's in mine is bio quarts for media.

A sump is far superior but when you dont have room a sump canisterd will work if you dont have exadurated expectations.

 

[Dj City]

Which specific canister filter do you have? What specifically do you have in it? What order do you have your media in?
The way it's loaded is important.
Depending on how the water flows, the mechanical media may need to be in the lowest tray or the top tray.

If you can, use a pre filter. A sponge that fits over the intake tube. That helps protect the media inside the canister.

 

[Digicop]

What is the best nitrate/phosphate removing media to put in a canister filter? I would like to be able to feed more, but can't without additional Nitrate removal.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

What is the best nitrate/phosphate removing media to put in a canister filter? I would like to be able to feed more, but can't without additional Nitrate removal.

You should just get a bipellet gfo reactor. Bags aren’t very effective

 

[Spare time]

You could do phosguard or something. Phosphate and nitrate pads can work too.

 

[B7Joe]

Give that HOB some time. I have the same unit, also on a 55 (only difference is I have a rear sump) and the HOB along with consistent water changes of 10% weekly have made a significant difference, but you need to give it a little time. Dito to what all have said about canisters - honestly, cleaning once every three weeks is probably waiting a little too long. I’d say only use it as a reactor and slowly remove foam and anything else that serves as a nitrate factory. Best of luck!