Protein Skimmers and Nitrate/Nitrite

[Garyf7257]

Hi, I have a 40G tank that I run a 70G Fluval canister Filter on, I took 40% of the media out so it's correct for the take size but still does a strong job mechanically. My Ammonia always tests 0, Nitrite is always bouncing between 0.05 & 0.1, Nitrate bounces between 10-20. I have been able to cut the nitrites and trates in half with 2 30% water changes spread 48 apart from one another but have been afraid to go any further than that because I do not want to pull all the nitrifying bacteria out of the water. I do perform weekly cleaning maintenance on the canister but I still cannot completely get rid of the trite or trate. Would a small protein skimmer be benifical to the levels or does anyone have suggestions on getting all my levels to 0?

Thank you

 

[thaitopher]

Yes

 

[jeff williams]

Hi, I have a 40G tank that I run a 70G Fluval canister Filter on, I took 40% of the media out so it's correct for the take size but still does a strong job mechanically. My Ammonia always tests 0, Nitrite is always bouncing between 0.05 & 0.1, Nitrate bounces between 10-20. I have been able to cut the nitrites and trates in half with 2 30% water changes spread 48 apart from one another but have been afraid to go any further than that because I do not want to pull all the nitrifying bacteria out of the water. I do perform weekly cleaning maintenance on the canister but I still cannot completely get rid of the trite or trate. Would a small protein skimmer be benifical to the levels or does anyone have suggestions on getting all my levels to 0?

Thank you

Protien skimmer will help. You could also add some more nitrifying bacteria to your tank and it should help nitrite. Keep in mind the bacteria don't live in the water they are on on surfaces so doing water changes is ok just don't let any media dry out and when doing big WC's don't mess with the the sand or gravel and the media and the rock all at the same time

 

[PatW]

Once you get an adequate bacteria population established, you should not see measurable levels of ammonia or nitrite in your tank unless you du,p a huge amount of food in the tank. As JW above noted, the bacteria live on surfaces of things: gravel, glass, sand and rock. Porous rock supports the most bacteria. Water changes will not noticeably affect your beneficial bacteria.

Protein skimmers help with nutrient export and waste removal, but they really probably don't help the conversion of ammonia to nitrite to nitrate.

 

[redzfit]

I am just checking in to see if you got a protein skimmer and to see if it helped? I have a very similar setup and my nitrate levels seem to be 10-20 and can not seem to get it down to 0......

 

[Mike N]

Honestly, nitrate levels of 10-20ppm aren't a big deal. As long as you have 0ppm ammonia and nitrite you're good.

 

[redzfit]

Thank you.... Since this thread last night I researched switching from my Fluval to a refugium system....

 

[Mike N]

Yeah, most of my tanks are 20+ppm nitrate and I have no issues with fish or inverts. You can lower it more with water changes and filter maintenance if you so choose.

 

[Dennco2000]

You will be much happier, Plan ahead if you think you be upgrading the size of your tank soon so you don't have to purchase bigger and better equipment again.... We all do it LOL

 

[Vahanyos]

My 2 cents ...

What they said above. As long as your Ammonia and nitrite are zero I wouldn't worry too much about getting nitrates to 0. A skimmer will definitely help with nutrient export. My nitrates are always in the 60 range and yes that is high. Countless water changes, better skimming, etc but they don't seem to ever go to zero. All my fish are happy, healthy, and corals are growing and thriving. Your best indicator that you need to fix something in the tank is your corals and fish. If they're fine you're fine.