nitrate?

[nate914s]

my Nitrates wont drop below 15 so i was wondering since i dont have a refugium is their any types of Microalge that i could but in my tank, or critters that would reduce them. and still look nice. The reason being is that i cant seem so get the brown algle to go away in the tank. and my clean up crew on a 40gallon consisits of 10 small turbo snails, 2 large turbo snails, 4 emarald crabs, 6 hermit crabs. On yeah and what is your advice on a critter to stir the sand?
Ps tank has been set up for 2 1/2 months.

 

[PatMayo]

I would have thought the brown algae would have passed by now. What type of flow do you have in the tank? I don't see where you mention that. Flow plays a significant role in reducing algae.

Do you have a skimmer?

See this link as well it may help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm

Regards,

Pat

 

[nate914s]

my flow is 500 gallons an hour

 

[nate914s]

dose anyone have suggestions for in tank plant life?

 

[Swanwillow]

yeah: any macros

I have chetomorphia in my tank, and plan on getting grape calurpas, mermaids fans, things like that when I start getting money again.

 

[nate914s]

do you put them derictly in the tank of the refugium?

 

[Swanwillow]

i don't have a refugium... does that answer your question?

 

[nate914s]

thank you

 

[Avi]

Your brown "algae" could be diatoms. That's something that thrives on silicates in the water. It generally passes with time, but if you want to speed that up, you can put a Phosban or Kent Reactor on the tank with Rowaphos in it. That will reduce both phosphates and silicates effectively.

If you're interested in keeping the sand turned over...a Diamond Goby is very effective. I haven't found anything as effective as they are.

http://www.justmarine.co.uk/graphics/00000001/DSC00751.jpg