Sooooo yea this might be a problem...

[ScottB]

I’ll just be straightforward, there’s no magic cure to remove nitrates. There are so many sources in a tank that could be responsible. I’ve tried the fuge, adding bacteria, blasting off rocks, WC, skim heavy, reduce feedings, and the list goes on. Takes a long time to dial it back in. But with slow and steady changes with some dedication, it happens but not quickly.

Well I'm gonna stop complaining about having to ADD nitrates to my system.

That sounds like work compared to "Hey Alexa, run frag nitrate doser for 10 minutes please."

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Well I'm gonna stop complaining about having to ADD nitrates to my system.

That sounds like work compared to "Hey Alexa, run frag nitrate doser for 10 minutes please."

I need Alexa in my life lol

 

[tehmadreefer]

Sulpher denitrator. Plus you can run it when your out of town and adjust the effluent.

 

[mfinn]

The old saying that the solution to pollution is dilution, is appropriate here.
Water changes. Several moderately sized ones every couple days.
Manually remove as much algae as possible and maybe time to give reef cleaners a call for some extra cleanup crew.

 

[ca1ore]

Sulfur denitrator thirded! Added one about 6 weeks ago to mitigate a high nitrate problem. Got 700 system gallons down from nitrate levels between 40 and 80 to below 5. Funding the media can be a bit of a challenge though.

 

[robbyg]

Sulfur denitrator thirded! Added one about 6 weeks ago to mitigate a high nitrate problem. Got 700 system gallons down from nitrate levels between 40 and 80 to below 5. Funding the media can be a bit of a challenge though.

Yes they work very well. The tricky part is figuring out how much of a crutch it really is and using that knowledge to then seek out root causes. The goal really needs to be to ween off the sulfur reactor as much as possible.

 

[Katrina71]

For manual removal, consider letting the glass go a week or so without scraping. Then once there is a thickish mat of algae scrape it off the glass while siphoning for a water change. It’s like running algae scrubber that doesn’t need broken in

+1

 

[Katrina71]

No chemicals! Manual removal. 25% water changes. Add a fuge. Add some additional CUC and let your glass get dirty. Jmo.

 

[ca1ore]

The tricky part is figuring out how much of a crutch it really is and using that knowledge to then seek out root causes.

Don't disagree .. the 'root cause' in my case is that I have too many fish in my system.

 

[actik]

Perhaps a silly question, but what can someone with a 75g with penguin 350 hob filters do to avoid water changes every 1-2 weeks. Tank very lightly stocked and will only have softies

 

[siggy]

avoid water changes every 1-2 weeks. Tank very lightly stocked and will only have softies

Just don't do it...WC that is your softies will love you and the dirty water. Run carbon if needed

 

[actik]

That's great news haha yussss, softies will take care of my nitrates? Perhaps I'll do a 10% WC once a month just to bring other readings up a little if needed, like calcium and whatever ?

 

[LARedstickreefer]

What are your phosphates at? I always found that if I dosed phosphates, to keep them above zero, my nitrates dropped. Guess if you are phosphate limited, the natural processes that use up nitrates come to a halt.

 

[actik]

Sorry about the rando question on your thread, but had just learned some thing new. Thanks

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thanks everyone! The plan for now is bigger consistant water changes and manual removal with vacuuming the sand bed.

 

[siggy]

Thanks everyone! The plan for now is bigger consistant water changes and manual removal with vacuuming the sand bed.

That monster tank could uses a AWC. Get two of these from you buddy Ryan.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

I’m a believer in algae harvest over water changes. Or, maybe more specifically, scraping/brushing all algae off and then sucking it out with a small water change. Repeat until gone or significantly diminished.

 

[Mrs. Herbert]

Water changes slowly and up the CUC.

 

[ultimatemj]

y’all, don’t freak...until your nitrates are way up!
Like, way up!

As most have said...couple of WCs to dilute, and cut feeding. Only other thing to consider is something to consume it (chaeto, media(I.e. seachem pond matrix).

Highest risk, IME, is an over correction and ending up with another issue...

Good luck!

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Get that Algae Scrubber rolling Rev!!!