Need nutrient export ideas for my 40g

[glb]

I have a new (3-4 mos) 40g breeder that is currently fowlr and will be coral at some point. It has a sump which has an SCA-301 skimmer, a GFO reactor, purigen, and Chemipure carbon. After the cycle, nitrates were 60-80ppm (long story) and with several big water changes it's now stable around 20ppm. The tank has six fish added slowly without any problems: 2 clownfish, 2 pajama cardinals, 1 Midas Blenny, and one Royal Gramma. I feed twice a day pellets and mysis shrimp, which is probably too much. The PO4 is usually 0 and I change it out when it reaches 0.03-0.04. So Phosphates are under control.

My problem is the nitrates. I know 20ppm is ok for fowlr, but I want to keep the tank between 10-15ppm as a good discipline for when it becomes a softie/LPS tank. Today I added a Santa Monica drop 2 algae scrubber in an effort to reduce nitrates. I'll be running it about 20hrs/day per the instructions.

What else can I do to lower the nitrates long term? I know there are many options but I'm trying to decide the best one(s) for my setup. I thought about carbon dosing or bio pellets. I do weekly water changes but want a system where I only have to change out 5g (10%)/week. I know I could do a 20g (50%) water change but I've done 2 since the cycle and really don't want to if I can avoid it. Plus I'm going through salt mix quicker than I'd like.

I know I need to feed a little less, but otherwise think I take really good care of the tank. Weekly water changes, rinsing out mesh filter sock daily, removing any loose food in the tank after a feeding, changing out gfo as soon as Phosphates rise, keeping carbon and purigen clean, vacuuming out the sump, cleaning the mesh in the overflow box, you name it, I do it.

Sorry this has been so lengthy but I know you need detail to help out in the awesome way you do. Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[1MCp]

I have mangrove plants in my tank that does an excellent job of keeping nitrate down

 

[glb]

I have mangrove plants in my tank that does an excellent job of keeping nitrate down

Cool. How many and what kind of light do you use? I'm in south Florida so getting done won't be difficult.

 

[1MCp]

Cool. How many and what kind of light do you use? I'm in south Florida so getting done won't be difficult.

I have cheap lights as I don't have Sps its a beam works led 600 and I have about 5 mangroves

 

[1MCp]

I also do caulpera in a ceramic flower pot along with chaeto on a seaweed clip on the side of the tank

 

[glb]

I have cheap lights as I don't have Sps its a beam works led 600 and I have about 5 mangroves

I don't plan on having sps either so this looks like a great setup!

 

[glb]

I have cheap lights as I don't have Sps its a beam works led 600 and I have about 5 mangroves

Did you mount the led to the underside of the stand? How long is it?

 

[1MCp]

Did you mount the led to the underside of the stand? How long is it?

You're gonna laugh when you see it I used L shaped hangers and some rope hahahahahaha

 

[glb]

You're gonna laugh when you see it I used L shaped hangers and some rope hahahahahaha

Hey if it works, it works!

 

[glb]

You're gonna laugh when you see it I used L shaped hangers and some rope hahahahahaha

Where did you buy it?

 

[1MCp]

Where did you buy it?

Local home depot they are used for making shelves

 

[SDReefer]

I've heard that algae scrubbers totally obliterate nitrates, so I wouldn't do anything until you're sure that the algae scrubber isn't enough.

 

[glb]

I've heard that algae scrubbers totally obliterate nitrates, so I wouldn't do anything until you're sure that the algae scrubber isn't enough.

Sounds like a plan. The scrubber is really tiny so we'll see.

 

[glb]

Do I need Phosphates for the scrubber to work? My Phosphates aren't really a problem with the gfo reactor. Will algae grow with low Phosphates and higher nitrates?

 

[lion king]

What you are doing sounds like you should be good. If you did need more control over the nitrates, nopox would be a good option; it's just an easier form of carbon dosing. I use nopox on 2 tanks with a brs doser and digital timer.

 

[SDReefer]

It will work with either. You may not even need the gfo with the algae scrubber. But take things one step at a time. Good luck!!

 

[glb]

What you are doing sounds like you should be good. If you did need more control over the nitrates, nopox would be a good option; it's just an easier form of carbon dosing. I use nopox on 2 tanks with a brs doser and digital timer.

Does the bacteria congregate in certain areas of the tank? Is there any downside to Nopox? I've certainly considered it

 

[lion king]

Does the bacteria congregate in certain areas of the tank? Is there any downside to Nopox? I've certainly considered it

I do get this pink slim in one tank, it;s not that big a deal to keep clear. Overall I like it, it's easy to dial in and does work; I set it up on a doser and just let it run. Just another tool, as long as you know everything has it's limitations it's a good product to use. I had nothing but problems with biopellets, de-nitrate reactor works but you have to change out the media before your nitrates skyrocket overt night. Nopox is in my arsenal.

 

[glb]

I do get this pink slim in one tank, it;s not that big a deal to keep clear. Overall I like it, it's easy to dial in and does work; I set it up on a doser and just let it run. Just another tool, as long as you know everything has it's limitations it's a good product to use. I had nothing but problems with biopellets, de-nitrate reactor works but you have to change out the media before your nitrates skyrocket overt night. Nopox is in my arsenal.

I don't want super low nitrates because it will be an LPS/softie tank. Can I dial it in to have nitrates at 10-15ppm?

 

[lion king]

I don't want super low nitrates because it will be an LPS/softie tank. Can I dial it in to have nitrates at 10-15ppm?

Yes, there's a chart to help you out. Take your baseline nitrate reading then start low and do daily dose. Take weekly reading and adjust up or down. Obviously as you add stock and feeding changes you will adjust. It's the easiest type of carbon dosing because you can dial it in pretty easily. I recommend weekly nitrate test and small changes in dosage and you'll be happy.