Please help (high nitrires cant get it down)

[riely5341]

I'm new to this site but I have been having problems with my water quality! I'm intensly into my tank and its bothering me that I cant figure it out. I have a 135 gl. fish only tank with 120 lbs. live sand and about 135 lbs. of live rock. my nitrites are at .50 al the time I've done numeras water changes with intense cleaning. I have alot of money invested in my fish I dont want them to die. I've read all the basics like, water changes and not feeding as much. I think it's more in the type of system that i'm running I didn't have alot of money to start so I dont have all the high end material that I need. I run a protien skimmer for a 100 gl. tank and a sock sump system. I also run a fluval 405. I know its alot to ask but please hook me up with some ideas. Nitates 10, amonia .25, nitrites .50. would adding more sand help? Or anthing that I can add to the system? Thanks for your time, Ryan

[GoTakuF1]

I think it's more in the type of system that i'm running I didn't have alot of money to start so I dont have all the high end material that I need.

A lot of money and high end equipment is not necessary to have a healthy system.


I know its alot to ask but please hook me up with some ideas. Nitates 10, amonia .25, nitrites .50. would adding more sand help? Or anthing that I can add to the system? Thanks for your time, Ryan

What is your current bioload (number and size of fish)? Here is an article that will give you a better understanding of the biological process that's happening in your tank and some solutions to your nutrient issue: Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm).

[sandiegan]

One quick question also, how long has your tank been set up?

[Fine Fins]

How many fish? How quickly were they added? How long have you been having this problem?

[sandiegoreefish]

do water changes and get a Refygium for your tank, get pants for the refugium and then get a light for it....

[Techknowledgy]

Welcome. We need more information to help! Thanks.

[MichaelRyanSD]

Welcome. We need more information to help! Thanks.

WHAT!!!..they made you a mod....this site is for sure going down hill now!!! :)

What the hell Blake, first the liberals take the oval office, and now there taking SDR too...

[Bio-Nut]

I just made myself a reactor to remove nitrates and so on.

Total spent was:
$15 scrap acrylic at Ridout
$5 on r.o. fitting at Home Depot
and $40 too much media at PK that I would be more than willing to share.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd295/chian0076/DSC01477.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd295/chian0076/DSC01478.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd295/chian0076/DSC01479.jpg

[Techknowledgy]

WHAT!!!..they made you a mod....this site is for sure going down hill now!!! :)

What the hell Blake, first the liberals take the oval office, and now there taking SDR too...

Uh ...yeah........ Blake deputized me. Trust me, it doesn't look very different from here. :lol:

[Techknowledgy]

Sweet. Post the plans. I love DIY stuff.

[johnny_trombone]

do water changes and get a Refygium for your tank, get pants for the refugium and then get a light for it....

I agree that PANTS are very important don't want a naked fuge!
hehe

[Hybrid]

WHAT!!!..they made you a mod....this site is for sure going down hill now!!! :)

What the hell Blake, first the liberals take the oval office, and now there taking SDR too...

LMFAO... HA Ha Ha

[Techknowledgy]

LMFAO... HA Ha Ha


Liberals....... improving the world one aquarium at a time. There should be a reef in the oval office soon. :lol:

[Redeye]

ahhh....where to begin...
Change your filter sock every other day
Remove the canister filter
I'm not kidding, right now, while you read this...go remove the canister filter

[Techknowledgy]

Scott is right. Canister filter is okay for water polishing, but after it runs a day remove, and clean. Most reefers do not use physical fikltration like this at all..... other than socks for the bigger (200 micron) stuff.

[MichaelRyanSD]

Liberals....... improving the world one aquarium at a time. There should be a reef in the oval office soon. :lol:

when is SDR going to be giving me free health care!!!cmon roland...you said that was one of the things we would be getting once you became MOD :) :) :)

I had to put extra smileys so people will know I'm sarcastic...I know how these political things can turn out...

:) :) :) :) :)

[Techknowledgy]

Free health care? You always get free health care as long as you never get sick. You will be getting free health care when you are a fighter jock MR, and I am sure in OCS. Military welfare. :)

[DaveMorris]

What media is being used in that nitrate reactor?

[Bio-Nut]

I had to use the mixed media LSM/LAM (Live sulfur media/ Live arrogate media). I know that you should separate it but the circulating flow is with a maxi-jet 1200. I am running it a 120 drips per min.

I intend on only running it for another week seeing as how I tested my nitrates last night and the where undetectable.

I have thought of putting it out for loan since tit is recommended that you only use it for two weeks.

[ricenoodle]

So after you don't use the reactor anymore does your nitrates stay undetectable? how does that work?

[Hybrid]

Liberals....... improving the world one aquarium at a time. There should be a reef in the oval office soon. :lol:

I'll service it if I can get in on our countries dirty secrety or meet an intern under a desk. Lol

[Techknowledgy]

You will have to take that up with the new POTUS. I no longer keep his calendar!

[Technoviking]

You guys can read about the sulfer de-nitrator at RC.

It's in this months RK mag.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-01/diy/index.php

[Techknowledgy]

Sweet. I may want to build one of these. This one looks a lot easier than the plans I have. Anyone use one with great success?