Problem with nitrates

[dwebb1031]

So I've only been at this a few months since about June. my tan is going pretty well, but i guess i got a batch of bad paper test strips. long story short I did a chem test and nitrates out the roof. Doing large water changes is not a very easy task for me due to distance to lfs and number of water totes i have. 20gls worth of totes for a 75gls tank with 10gls sump running at half capacity. also my money aint that long so..... Ive done some research into purigen and have essentially seen 90% mostly great reviews, however it docent seem to be working as fast as I've read it does. anyone have any suggestions. I know that optimally i would want to do the water changes they're just not particle at the moment. fish all seem fine most coral seem ok other than a new one that i obtain was fine about a week then i added the purigen and rot set in, other still good.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Purigen is good at exporting organics, but I would not use it to reduce nitrate.

There are many ways to reduce nitrate. These include growing macroalgae and ATS systems, skimming (or more skimming), organic carbon dosing (vinegar, vodka, biopellets, etc.), denitrators (sulfur and carbon based), and certain ceramic media designed to promote denitrification.

I use many of these at once (growing macroalgae, skimming, and organic carbon dosing (vinegar)).

I'd look into these methods, to add to the water change routine.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Reefkeeping Magazine - Vinegar Dosing Methodology for the Marine Aquarium
Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com
Vodka dosing | Melev's Reef

 

[LetItReef]

How many lbs of rocks do you have?

 

[dwebb1031]

70ish

 

[dwebb1031]

Purigen is good at exporting organics, but I would not use it to reduce nitrate.

There are many ways to reduce nitrate. These include growing macroalgae and ATS systems, skimming (or more skimming), organic carbon dosing (vinegar, vodka, biopellets, etc.), denitrators (sulfur and carbon based), and certain ceramic media designed to promote denitrification.

I use many of these at once (growing macroalgae, skimming, and organic carbon dosing (vinegar)).

I'd look into these methods, to add to the water change routine.

I've got macro algae
A pro turn skimmer rated beyond what I need
And I've been using reef bio fuel which I was explained was similar to vodka dosing, even smells like vodka.
A couple of my corals bleach but are still alive and my anemone like to hide every since I started it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How long has nitrate been high?

 

[dwebb1031]

Prob a few weeks I had a ich debacle that the treatment may have killed some softies/inverts and a fish that disappeared. The fish is a know jumper and may have left that way, but never found hide not hair.

 

[dwebb1031]

I did a 25 gal water change last night which with all my rock and what not actually brought my tank down to about half empty. My parents always give me money for Christmas so I'll probably do another next week. I tested last night and was between 40-80 on my chart. No color t range between so have to guess prob about 60. So should be down around 30 now will test again tonight.

 

[sureal00]

what test kit are you using

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It can take substantial time for nitrate to drop again after a burst of nutrients.

Water changes will help, but organic carbon dosing might be cheaper and easier, but will still take weeks if done carefully.

 

[dwebb1031]

Api reef master Chem test. Yea it will def take time did a new test tonight just north of 20 now.

 

[dwebb1031]

Test chart looks as so.