need help reading Salifert nitrate kit/pictures

[benny z]

take it out. i thought you had the rock sitting in the water. it is fueling your issue.

 

[Joezreef]

take it out.

you think detrius is getting caught in the rock?

 

[LegoZ81]

submerge the rock. do this slowly. most like 75% of your biological filtration is happening here as you are providing prime real estate for the aerobic side of the cycle.
it stops there though. ammonia to nitrite to nitrate.
when the rock in the main tank does this condition it brings the oxygen level in the rock in the tank lower and promotes and anaerobic bacteria growth that will convert nitrate to nitrogen gas which will just leave the tank. with the rock you have in the sump being out of the water this cannot happen easily and leaves you will a build up of nitrate.

 

[benny z]

probably, but the issue is that the bacteria cycling your ammonia colonizes in oxygen rich environments. most of your bio filtration is happening there and there is no anaerobic zone in them to process nitrate.

might be safest to pull it out 1/2 one day, then wait a few days and pull the rest.

 

[Joezreef]

should I just take it out completely? If it goes into the sump its definately a place for detrius to build up!

 

[benny z]

should I just take it out completely? If it goes into the sump its definately a place for detrius to build up!

this is why i would try to jerry-rig up some way of using a filter sock on the drain pipes. cut out the trays for sponge and bio balls and you should have plenty of space for one. no problem having submerged rock in the sump as long as the detritus is being pulled before it gets to it.

 

[Joezreef]

I will remove all of it over a weeks time that way I don't have any issues! and get a filter sock..what size do you recommend 100micron?

 

[benny z]

yup - i use 100 micron socks from mcmaster-carr. i also have a 50 micron and a 25 micron that i rotate in to deep polish the water.

 

[LegoZ81]

remove 20% of the rock a day and you should be fine (scheduled for full removal in 5 days). Is the skimmer not level? You will get better output/performance if you can pull off getting it level.

I am on the same size regimine for filter socks that Ben is. except I lost my labels and mixed them up so I have no idea when I am running which size so i end up polishing my water at random intervals.

 

[Joezreef]

were is the best place to get them?

 

[benny z]

McMaster-Carr

 

[Murfman]

Another option is to test with another test kit, just to verify yours is accurate. The reagents have a shelf life.

 

[Joezreef]

what bags do youall get from there there is a bunch to choose from?

 

[benny z]

7 x 16 1/2 polyester bag w/ galvanized steel ring - 100 micron part number is 5162K39

some folks have a hissy about the steel ring, but it's never been a problem for me. i hang them such that the ring is not exposed to the water. also, you can cut the ring out if it bugs you.

 

[Joezreef]

ordered 3-100 micron
2-50 micron
2-25 micron

for both my tanks! how often do you clean them and how? dish washer?

 

[benny z]

you want to change them frequently or you will have the same issue as the rocks...aerobic zone for bacteria to thrive. they will colonize the bag quickly. ideally you'll want to change them every 12 hours, but i understand that is not realistic for everyone. i would suggest daily or at most every 2-3 days tops.

i flip mine inside-out, spray them off with water, and let them collect in a bucket until wash day. on wash day i put them in the washing machine with about a 1/2 cup of bleach and run them through with an extra rinse and hang them out to dry. i have at least 20 bags...

 

[Joezreef]

Thanks for the help!

 

[Acroholic]

I think your feeding is one of the main issues for your high nitrates.

Also, a source for both felt and polyester filter bags is www.filterbag.com. You can get the polyester bags in a mesh in the 5 micron up with a plastic 4 or 7 inch ring, if stainless is an issue for anyone. I use their 200 micron nylon mesh bags with a plastic 4 inch diamter ring.

Their website states a 25 bag minimum order, but if you call their sales department they will sell you smaller quantities. I have purchased as few as six before no problem.
Dave

 

[rock_lobster]

It's a type of macro. Fish like tangs and foxface go crazy for it. IDK how effective it is for N and P reduction. It doesn't grow well with high levels of either.

Mine grows incredibly fast but I do have a mixture of calerpa, chaeto, and gracilaria. My nitrates have never been detected and I feed my small tank very often and heavily.

 

[Joezreef]

I just removed my rock from my 75 work tank and it cleared up a whole new compartment for my mrc skimmer and ocean runner pump to go...the detrius on the bottom of the sump was unreal.....thanks for all the help...I'll post a few pics of what Im taking about tomorrow!