NITRATE REDUCTION: How are you keeping Nitrates down?
Nitrate is an ion that has long dogged aquarists. It is typically formed in aquaria through the digestion of foods, and in many aquaria it builds up and can be difficult to keep at natural levels. In the past, many aquarists performed water changes with nitrate reduction as one of the primary goals. Fortunately, we now have a wide array of ways to keep nitrate in check, and modern aquaria suffer far less from elevated nitrate than they have in the past. In some case, aquarists have even found that they have reduced it too far, and nitrate dosing can even be beneficial.
Elevated nitrate is often associated with algae, and indeed the growth of algae is often spurred by excess nutrients, including nitrate. The same can be said for other potential pests in aquaria, such as dinoflagellates. Nitrate itself is not acutely toxic at the levels usually attained in aquaria, at least as it is so far known in the scientific literature, but elevated levels do seem detrimental to the health of fish. Additionally, elevated nitrate can spur the growth of zooxanthellae in corals, which can darken corals and may decrease the growth rate of a host coral.
For these reasons, most reef aquarists strive to keep nitrate levels down. Some are very successful, and others are not. This article provides some background on nitrate in the ocean and in aquaria, and describes a number of techniques that aquarists have successfully used to keep nitrate levels down to more natural levels in reef aquaria. - @Randy Holmes-Farley
This question of the day comes to you as a request by one of our members! Today let's talk about how YOU are keeping your nitrates down. Let's discuss and talk nitrate reduction methods!
1. What methods do you employ to keep nitrate levels in check?
2. Do you have a problem keeping your nitrate level at an acceptable range?
3. What is an acceptable range for you and nitrates in your reef aquarium?
The most logical choice for managing nitrogen availability is not available on the selection list!
A simple bio-filter.
Having control over the nitrogen input and the nitrogen export.
Why nitrate is produced?
How nitrates may build up in a well-lit aquarium, why not all produced nitrate-nitrogen is used up?
Managing an LNS or a HIHO system?
Food source? Protein content and C/N ratio?
Nitrates are a safely stored nitrogen reserve. Nitrates are the end product of the aerobic remineralization process and are produced if ammonia is available. Nitrates are not responsible for algae growth and are harmless except at very high levels. if nitrate-nitrogen is used as a nitrogen source by organisms, growth is slowed down, they all prefer ammonia as a nitrogen source. Nitrate production installs a propper carrying capacity and may not be considered a threat. The same can not be said of TAN. What if TAN stays available for growth and no nitrates are produced?
Nitrates are needed to reduce continuously produced HS. Without nitrate, the nitrogen cycle can not be closed. Without the presence of nitrate, certainly in a marine system, anaerobic remineralization will end up in sulfate reduction and HS production.
Why battling nitrate?
What is your reason?
Why lowering nitrate levels? Someone lowering the nitrate level must have a good reason as a lot of methods used for lowering the nitrate level may create a much greater risk factor for the system as nitrate ever may become. The cure may become a lot worse as the disease.
Passive or and active nitrogen management and what is the difference?
Nitrate has never been a real problem, not only because it is harmless but also because the nitrogen content and nitrate level is easily managed as nitrate is continuously exported as N2. A normal nitrifying biofilm may export +- 16% of TAN.
Nitrate can only build up if something else limits the consumption, they are the messenger, not the cause.
What is the role of a skimmer in creating nitrogen surplus, hopefully ending up in the nitrate reserve?
A safely stored nitrogen reserve is easily managed by using a simple biofilter.
