Wet/dry filter on reef tank PLEASE HELP!!!

[Andrew9307]

so i have a wet/dry filter on my tank i read it could cause high nitrate problems... i have had good water for a while just did a water change about 6 days ago now my nitrates are sky high anyone have any ideas and ways to fix it i have read to remove all the bio balls and just put some live rock in instead is this a good idea ?

 

[cdangel0]

The reason people reccomend removing the bio-balls (and generally don't like Wet / Dry filters for a reef tank) is that the texture of the bio-balls has a tendency to trap detritus and debris allowing it to break down, decompose, and eventually create nitrate issues. Live rock would be better, but in my opinion probably isn't much better. The holes, pores, and crevaces in LR will create the same issue.

My reccomendation is to SLOWLY remove the bio-balls, a little at a time, over the course of 2-3 weeks, this will prevent creating a drastic reduction of denitrifying bacteria, use the drip plates for poly, carbon, or other "sheets" of things to filter and polish the water. If you're good about changing the filter pads then I'd say go ahead and add LR to the bio-ball section, but you have to remain diligent in replacing the pads regualrly.

In order to get the currently high nitrates down - water changes. Several large ones. The solution is dillution.

 

[NanoNathan]

i use i wetdry drip filter and its packed with matrix and i have no issues.

 

[clowndude]

+1 what cdangel0 said. Also you want to make sure that you aren't adding to the problem with your water. Are you using good RO/DI water?

 

[jedimasterben]

Seachem Matrix and deNitrate are ridiculously awesome replacements for both bioballs and live rock - they hold a stupid amount of bacteria, I think 1 liter of Matrix is equivalent to 170 liters of bioballs (that's 38 gallons), and I believe it.

I have 500mL of each in my sump. I have them sitting in a bag and once a month or so I'll shake them off to get any detritus out of them. I don't run any mechanical filtration or a skimmer, and my corals love it. Immediately and insane polyp extension when doing so.

Their deNitrate is best used in a reactor with super low flow - 50GPH or less. As soon as I can, I'll be getting a dual reactor from BRS to use both of them in.

 

[Andrew9307]

Thanks and yes i use good ro/di from my lfs the check the tds regularly i have a sump but cant get it in without cutting or draining the main tank i think im going to get the help of some friends to get it put in

 

[YVR]

Keeping excess nutrients out of the aquarium water is one key element in reducing your NO3. As you may know, dirty bio media become a nitrate factory, most people don't use any additional bio media besides live rock in their tanks. There are many other things that can add excess nutrients into your tank like some commercial foods which may contain undesirable things like nitrates, phosphates etc and overfeeding the tank is also another factor. Using , RO/DI water, a high quality salt with no NO3, phosphates etc like Tropic Marin or similar good quality salt should really help too.