Nitrates

[nickp9054]

Hey, gotta 30 gal nano. Using canister filter, I don’t have any room for a sump. So I have a pair of clowns, a firefish, blenny, and cardinal. I did a fishies cycle and was doing great. Nitrates have been at 40 ppm. Someone on the forum told me that it was ok, and it’ll go down in time. But some websites told me that it’s extremely high, and it seems most people keep theirs at 5ppm max. Other than frequent water changes, and high I’ve been doing, what can I do to lower my nitrates? Will they come down in time? Also should mention feed half cube frozen mysis every other day.

 

[tsouth]

Nitrate reduction is all about exporting more than you're importing. Primary methods of nitrate reduction include a protein skimmer (hang on the back in your case), a very large water change (50% water equals a 50% reduction, so net 20 ppm), and/or growing a nutrient uptake macroalgae like Chaeto.

I would encourage you to water change, test, wait 1 week, test, water change again, and test. This is a lot but it tells you what a water change will do to your nitrates and whether or not it's enough to effectively lower the number. If you only change 10% of the water, it's only 4ppm of your 40. If your natural feeding habits over the span of one week increase nitrates 4ppm, then you're not effectively reducing nitrates, but rather keeping them at the same level.

If your tank is not full of highly sensitive corals inhabitants, then I think a good start would be to complete a 50% water change. Lets wait to see what other advice is offered.

 

[nickp9054]

Nitrate reduction is all about exporting more than you're importing. Primary methods of nitrate reduction include a protein skimmer (hang on the back in your case), a very large water change (50% water equals a 50% reduction, so net 20 ppm), and/or growing a nutrient uptake macroalgae like Chaeto.

I would encourage you to water change, test, wait 1 week, test, water change again, and test. This is a lot but it tells you what a water change will do to your nitrates and whether or not it's enough to effectively lower the number. If you only change 10% of the water, it's only 4ppm of your 40. If your natural feeding habits over the span of one week increase nitrates 4ppm, then you're not effectively reducing nitrates, but rather keeping them at the same level.

If your tank is not full of highly sensitive corals inhabitants, then I think a good start would be to complete a 50% water change. Lets wait to see what other advice is offered.

thanks, I have been working on water changes weekly, but will up the volume to 40-50% also, what do you recommend for hob skimmer(preferably slightly budget friendly)? And where would I put a refugium without a sump

 

[Jekyl]

Refigium is a sump basically. For HoB skimmer I use a reef octo skimmer and love it.

 

[nickp9054]

Refigium is a sump basically. For HoB skimmer I use a reef octo skimmer and love it.

Octo is a little over budget. Anything in the 50-120 range? I understand id there’s nothing good there

 

[tsouth]

Just for clarity - a 50% water change is a one/twice and done thing, not to be done continually. I'll add some example values below.

1. Do a 50% change (40 ppm nitrates)
2. Test and record nitrates (20 ppm)
3. Monitor over the span of a week
4. Test and record nitrates (24 ppm)
5. Calculate your rate (Nitrates #4 - Nitrates #2 = Rate of increase after 7 days (4ppm)
6. Water change (10% water change = 24ppm x .10 = 2.4 ppm reduction.)
7. Test and record nitrates (21.6ppm)
8. Adapt the volume of water for water changes to compensate for the rate. (10% water change = 24ppm x .10 = 2.4 ppm reduction, 20% = 4.8ppm reduction)

A HOB refugium is an option. CPR makes some I think? I do not have experience with using these or any hob refugiums so definitely do research there.

A used HOB skimmer will be best in that budget, look for ones like an aquamaxx

 

[howaboutme]

What is in your canister filter? Do you clean it out routinely? If you are using it like in freshwater, detritus is likely getting trapped in there with no outlet. That turns into nitrate. Fix that first before you do anything else.

 

[Jekyl]

I'd recommend saving the money and getting a good skimmer. Sounds like you haven't had that tank up and running very long. With 5 fish already you're going to be fighting nitrates. Keep up on water changes, make sure to blow off your rocks and vacuum the sand when you do.

 

[nickp9054]

What is in your canister filter? Do you clean it out routinely? If you are using it like in freshwater, detritus is likely getting trapped in there with no outlet. That turns into nitrate. Fix that first before you do anything else.

I’m using a cascade canister. Clean every2-3 weeks. I have a course sponge which I clean, filter floss which I replace, using bio rings,and a bag of carbon

 

[lanceinhuntsville]

Octo is a little over budget. Anything in the 50-120 range? I understand id there’s nothing good there

Reef Octopus has a cheaper one but you generally get what you pay for. I've got the Classic 100 HOB for about $200 and it's great for my 40 gallon. I'd recommend that. Better to buy once than buy twice. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-bh100-hang-on-the-back-protein-skimmer.html

This one is a cheaper one by the same company but I can't speak for it since I've never used it: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-ns80-nano-skimmer.html

 

[nickp9054]

I'd recommend saving the money and getting a good skimmer. Sounds like you haven't had that tank up and running very long. With 5 fish already you're going to be fighting nitrates. Keep up on water changes, make sure to blow off your rocks and vacuum the sand when you do.

Thanks! Considering saving up for a used reef octo or something

 

[mdb_talon]

Save up for a good skimmer - do not waste money on a cheap one just because it is in your budget. Wait until you find a quality used one or can save up to one in your budget. As far as 40ppm I really would not panic about it. It is going to contribute to algae growth and obviously not a great thing, but it is not an emergency in a fish only system. You may already know, but I would also point out you need to stay away from a lot of the bottled nitrate reducers that are basically carbon dosing, biopellets, etc. Those can be very effective, but need a skimmer to go along with it.

 

[nickp9054]

Yeah, found a used reef octo for a decent price will probably save up for

 

[howaboutme]

I’m using a cascade canister. Clean every2-3 weeks. I have a course sponge which I clean, filter floss which I replace, using bio rings,and a bag of carbon

It's good that you are aware those things need maintenance. However, I don't think you are doing it often enough. If you do a quick search on here or elsewhere you will see that people clean similar filtration (filter floss, filter socks, etc) way more often than 2 to 3 weeks. Weekly at a minimum but often every 3 or 4 days. I would venture to say that if that time frame went to 4 to 6 weeks, your NO3 would be 80.

Take the advice on skimmer for filtration. If you do that and want to use the canister, that's fine but use it for flow or for carbon, etc or if using floss, change more often. 40 is not too bad but good on you for noticing that this may be a hole you don't want to fall into further.