Ways to lower Nitrate

[ASIN28]

What’s going on guys. So I have had so much trouble with high nitrates in my 120G. My nitrates are currently at 45-50 and some of my LPS is getting really stressed out. I’m getting frustrated because no matter what I do this number does not move. I also dose MB7 regularly and that doesn’t help either.
I am testing with salifert test kits and confirmed with a LFS testing my water for me. I have been doing routine weekly water changes for months 25-30% and still does nothing. I’m ready to resort to an additive like AZNO3. Has anybody had luck with this better or can suggest a better option?

 

[Jekyl]

Using RoDi water for changes? If at 50 nitrate and you do a 25% water change it should drop it to 37 or so etc... what forms of export do you have? I dose NoPox daily in my tank but it keeps things stable without providing a reduction.

 

[Jekyl]

Quickly skimmed through your other posts. What fish are in the tank and what are your nutrient export methods?

 

[brmreefer]

What’s going on guys. So I have had so much trouble with high nitrates in my 120G. My nitrates are currently at 45-50 and some of my LPS is getting really stressed out. I’m getting frustrated because no matter what I do this number does not move. I also dose MB7 regularly and that doesn’t help either.
I am testing with salifert test kits and confirmed with a LFS testing my water for me. I have been doing routine weekly water changes for months 25-30% and still does nothing. I’m ready to resort to an additive like AZNO3. Has anybody had luck with this better or can suggest a better option?

I have no experience with the mentioned product. However, here are some methods for NO3 reduction:

• Reduced feeding (Balance this out as to not starve affected livestock)
• Macroalgae introduction in Fuge/Sump
• Carbon Dosing Method of some sort (manufactured or DIY)
• Algae Turf Scrubber

Those are off the top of my head.

 

[X-37B]

My nitrates in my 120 slowly climbed to 20+ as my tank matured.
I was running a Tunze 9410dc skimmer and it was just not keeping up.
I swapped it for a Tunze 9430dc which is considerably oversized for my system. Within a month no3 was reading <5 and has not increased.
My only other export is a 7" filter sock.

 

[ASIN28]

Using RoDi water for changes? If at 50 nitrate and you do a 25% water change it should drop it to 37 or so etc... what forms of export do you have? I dose NoPox daily in my tank but it keeps things stable without providing a reduction.

I have a Refugium with chaeto and also a big 8x4 marine life block and about 15 marine life balls, and I have a reef octopus skimmer that’s already rated for bigger than my tank. And 2 filter socks also 200 micron

 

[ASIN28]

Quickly skimmed through your other posts. What fish are in the tank and what are your nutrient export methods?

Fish wise I have a big tang gang, a few wrasse, mandarin, chromis and a zebra eel which I recently got which I know is a messy eater. But I had the nitrate problem way before he came

 

[BYU]

try nopox but go slow
like 1/2-1/4 the recommended amount and test daily
it will work
also need to know your phosphates
they usually go hand in hand

 

[Jekyl]

I have a Refugium with chaeto and also a big 8x4 marine life block and about 15 marine life balls, and I have a reef octopus skimmer that’s already rated for bigger than my tank. And 2 filter socks also 200 micron

Seems like this can all be solved by the chaeto. Either by additional or maybe a better light?

 

[ASIN28]

Seems like this can all be solved by the chaeto. Either by additional or maybe a better light?

My chaeto grows like a weed. Have to prune it every 2 weeks at least

 

[Jekyl]

My chaeto grows like a weed. Have to prune it every 2 weeks at least

Maybe excessive feeding then. Do you feed frozen? If so get a pulp strainer so you can discard the liquid once it thaws.

 

[Jekyl]

Or like a previous post suggested and get an algae scrubber. I haven't used but many swear by them.

 

[ASIN28]

Maybe excessive feeding then. Do you feed frozen? If so get a pulp strainer so you can discard the liquid once it thaws.

I do feed 2 times a day frozen and flakes and seaweed also. I do notice a fair amount of the frozen hits the bottom and goes to waste so that can be a big problem within itself right there I see. I’ll maybe try the pulp strainer

 

[G Santana]

I made a DIY scrubber, it ate my nitrates in a couple of weeks.
Run a skimmer and an algae scrubber, that's my take.

 

[Jekyl]

I do feed 2 times a day frozen and flakes and seaweed also. I do notice a fair amount of the frozen hits the bottom and goes to waste so that can be a big problem within itself right there I see. I’ll maybe try the pulp strainer

The liquid left over once you thaw it is what I suggested getting rid of. Nothing to be eaten and full of nutrients. Feed slower to allow the fish to eat as much as possible. CuC should handle the rest. Discarding that liquid instead of putting it in the tank will make a noticeable difference.

 

[mrlavalamp]

Rinsing frozen food to reduce nutrients is a myth though.

P04 keeps increasing, HELP.

I'm hoping I can get some help from all of you. I am having trouble keeping my P04 down. It has been steadily climbing despite everything. The system was setup using dry rock that was previously used in my 200 and cycled for 2+ months in a brute, so I don't think the rocks are leaching it. I...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jekyl]

I've personally seen a difference in my tank just by not putting the water in used to thaw the food. Wouldn't spout nonsense if I hadn't seen the difference myself. If just dumped in you can visually see the oil slick left behind. That's organic matter that breaks down.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a Refugium with chaeto and also a big 8x4 marine life block and about 15 marine life balls, and I have a reef octopus skimmer that’s already rated for bigger than my tank. And 2 filter socks also 200 micron

My typical success with lowering nitrates has always been simple . . . . Add a pouch of ChemiPure blue or Elite which will lower it and keep it in check as well as polishing your water

 

[Pistondog]

Try removing the filter sox and carbon dosing. Vodka, vinegar or a mix which is nopox.
Unless you change the sox every 3 days they can become a no3 source.