Nitrates creeping up

[xbrentx]

Tank specs;

Tank is almost 6 months old
125G DT
40 ish G Sump
Around 180 pounds of LR and 100 pounds of LS
Running Carbon and GFO

Fish Stock;

Yellow Tang
Lavender Tang
Blue Hippo Tang
5 Chromis
2 Clowns
1 Firefish
1 Fairy Wrasse


Sal 1.025
Calc 460
Mag 1350
Temp 78-79 all day
NITRATES 40 AFTER a WC

I normally do a 20G WC every other Sunday. My Nitrates have always been between 5-20 and all of a sudden I tested after a WC and it is at 40. I am concerned that there is an issue causing this and would like to identify it quickly.

One of my possible issues is the skimmer, it is a Coralife super skimmer 220. I know they have a bad reputation, and I don't feel like it is skimming like it should. Are there any tips or tricks to tweak this thing? Does it run better in sump or hanging outside the sump?

 

[danka-cedium]

I'd say you have a few options.

1. Start WC every week 30 gallons
2. New skimmer. Shoot for a skimmer that has a range of double system volume.
3. Denitrator - this is usually an expensive piece, and takes 2-3 to start working.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

 

[xbrentx]

A new skimmer is on the priority list already, I wanna get a nice Reef Octopus. I was also looking at getting a bio pellet reactor, but that's a band aid fix. I am going to increase my water changes for sure, I'll start doing 25-30 G a week.

 

[jservedio]

Biopellets are a great option because it is very easy to pick up and take off the tank when you fix any underlying problems (which you may never fix if it is just the heavy bioload and you feed heavily). If this tank is truly only 6 months old (meaning you didn't transfer stuff out an older tank) you still have a very new tank and things are still settling. Once my tank hit like 8 months old, 100% of the microalgae disappeared and my nitrates dropped like a rock down to 0 and stay there. Usually they never get above 0.2ppm - evne testing before a WC after 2-3 weeks.

Also, you can throw a big clump of chaeto in the sump - that seems to help a bit as well. That is a ton of nitrates for it to cope with though so it may not put a big dent in it.

 

[xbrentx]

I am brand new to the hobby and everything is new. Does the chaeto need light though?

Maybe I am feeding too much, I follow the rule of slowly feeding and making sure the fish eat everything and not letting any drop to the sandbed. But maybe they are just fatties and keep eating.

I will reduce my feedings a bit as well.

 

[Mrfresh]

Yes ur fug will need a light if u have cheato in it.
Home Depot or lowes sells an led livht that the k is at 5000. It works perfect and will cause that stuff to grow crazy fast

Cutting down on feedings will help as well. I went from everyday to everyother day.

Im going though the same thing in
Dropping nitrates progession thread

 

[mike007]

Nitrate problems are mostly caused by excess nutrients caused by overfeeding of fish and corals. Water changes are a temporary fix if you don't correct the source of the nitrates. And yes a good skimmer will help. Try underfeeding and see if levels go down.

 

[xbrentx]

Thanks for all the tips. I am going to still feed daily, but I will reduce the amount of food I put in each day.

I will also start doing weekly water changes instead of biweekly, and increase the size to 20G a week instead of 20G every 2 weeks. I have plenty of LR and LS so I feel that the nitrates is my error and not an issue with the tank or setup.

 

[xbrentx]

Does anyone dose sugar? Does that work?

 

[Mrfresh]

I am using vodka
It's making a huge difference for me.


Here's my link to my nitrates dropping and vodka dosing
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/120915-dropping-nitrates-progression.html

 

[xbrentx]

I have read your post and will try vodka, I checked a few others and people are having great success.

I have dosed 0.4 mL just now. I will start with less than suggested to avoid any issues and see what results I get.

 

[xbrentx]

With your experience, could you suggest a dosing schedule?

 

[mike007]

I prefer Redsea nopox myself. Check out there website they have excellent videos on carbon dosing. Redseafish.com

 

[Mrfresh]

Well I decided not to use what's the suggested rate....
With mine being so high I felt I could go stronger faster.
I started out at .4 MLS and by the end of the week I was at 5mls...

I would talk to reefing madness he knows a lot about vodka dosing...he's in my thread about the vodka.

 

[xbrentx]

Ok, I've got about 30-40 gallons more than you, I did 0.6 mL for today, I'll monitor the tank until tomorrow night, and check Nitrate level, and dose another 0.6 mL and track progress.

 

[Mrfresh]

I would say u could do about 2mls.
Make sure tho u have some good fresh carbon in ur tank.

Remember tho I'm trying to drop nitrates from about 200ppm to (around 50 right now) <5ppm.

 

[xbrentx]

I have a TLF reactor with fresh activated carbon

 

[mpfeiffer1]

I think going vodka, vinager, sugar, or even bio pellets on a 6 month old tank is not the right way to go yet. As mentioned I would find your nitrate problem first. It is probably over feeding or you have trapped ditrius somewhere in the system. Fat fish make big waste ie instant nitrates. Stupid question - have you had anything die or feed frozen food lately? how about bio balls being cleaned? Also did you move the rock or the ls? Sometimes that kicks up nitrates. Also make sure you blow ditrius off the live rocks as a buildup will certainly cause nitrates. Lastly flow is important. Read all you can about nitrates and phosphates in the forums. You will like the algea scrubber threads as well. I know there is mixed feelings around dosing bacteria but I think bacteria is the real key to any new system. Bacteria can die really quickly and cause spikes in the chemistry ie nitrates, ammonia, etc. Listen to the other guys but do not jump into carbon dosing too soon. Especially without doing massive research. My opinion. WC, WC, WC. Is the chicken soup here (not coined by me). Good luck. Lastly if using API nitrate test kit, buy a fresh one as they do go bad over time.

 

[Mrfresh]

Vodka dosing is ok to do with new systems. People run into more problems with established tanks, and trying to start dosing.
Wc is the best and safest way to go.

It's all about what u feel comfortable doing.
I'm good with dosing, but I do still read up on other people's results on vodka dosing.
NEVER STOP TRYING TO LEARN!!!!

 

[xbrentx]

I did stir some sand and move a rock a day or two before testing, that could have done it.