Nitrates are killing me!

[onehundred20]

"How fast is you cheato growing."
Its grew from 3 small peices to almost the whole sump in a month...now that I think of it its not really growing to much now I prolly need to get rid of some.


"With a phosban reactor you may create a situation where the cheato is not growing fast enough due to phosphate limitation."
I only run a small thing of rowa..and it seems to grow fast.


"Now you have the source of the nitrates fixed you have to bring them down. That is easier said then done. At the beginning it will seem like the water changes are doing nothing and the nitrates will be down for a day and then will go right back up. It will seem like it is a loosing battle but with 3-4 weeks of hard work (30 gallon changes 2x a week or more) you should be in a lot better shape."
Im going to go to home depot today and get a 55 gallon brute so I can do larger chagnes since my system is really about 160 gallons with the sump."

"Do you blow off your rocks when you do a water change? If not then try it and you will be amazed at the crap that will blow out of your rocks."
Yup I blow them off and also siphon the crevices sometimes.

"Once you get your nitrates down you are doing all of the right things and they will stay down. The only major change that I would recommend is a better skimmer."

What kind of skimmer would you recommend that wont neccesarly break the bank.

"I now use a pinpoint nitrate monitor and have used red sea and salifert before and the salifert was much closer to the actual nitrate reading."
Good to know, i guess the salifert is the right reading which is depressing. Didnt know that pinpoint had a nitrate monitor.

 

[jacmyoung]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9046263#post9046263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onehundred20
Ill let you know if I get this figured out...its so frustrating lol....at least my orange cap grows like crazy and is colorful...got it at 1" now its like 10" wide, apparently it likes nitrates.

Hey when all things fail, grow nitrate-loving coral! There are a few of them nice looking types will make for a great reef tank

 

[DocG]

What kind of skimmer would you recommend that wont neccesarly break the bank.

I would recommend the Euro-reef RS 250.

Don

 

[melev]

By pruning the cheatomorpha by 30 to 50%, you'll encourage new growth. Once you do pull out a large portion, be sure to tug slightly at the remaining macro algae, pulling it apart somewhat to encourage more growth and allow flow through the plant.

Nitrate is in the water. Doing water changes will drop it, providing you aren't adding more (top off water; other sources listed in the article above). You need to do larger water changes back to back, even if it is daily for two or three days. Each 50% water change will drop it by 50%.

Once your sandbed is established, it will help denitrify the water. It takes 6 months to get a good mature sandbed going.

Water changes are key. Make sure temp & salinity match, and ideally pH should be the same as well. If you have it mix in the barrel next to the tank for 24 hours, the pH will be the same as the display tank.

 

[jcr6479]

How's the color of the Chaeto? If not dark green, add iron. Withhout iron, macro grow with be stunned.

 

[Rhodesholar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9046914#post9046914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DocG
I would recommend the Euro-reef RS 250.

Don

Some one else said the ASM is sub-par.

I was under the impression that the ASM was in everyway the same as Euroreef (same pump, impeller etc.) except in the type of plastic it is constructed from. Basically they both perform the same, just the Euroreef is built better.

I also remember reading that ASM started as an offshoot of Euroreef because Euroreef at the time did not want to go with that design, so those people left and started ASM.

Also Euroreef now offers the model made out of the same material that ASMs are made from.

From everything I had read ASM is a very good skimmer.

 

[melev]

I have one of each. The ASM wasn't nearly as good a skimmer compared to the ER. They aren't exactly the same. The materials are cheaper, and the connections are loser. It is kind of aggravating to be honest. It (the ASM G-3) feels cheap in my hands, compared to the Euro-Reef.

Now if you modify the impellar with mesh material, the ASM can produce better results at least. I've heard mixed reports that ASM is no longer in business, as well as how that skimmer has been replaced with the Octopus instead. I don't the full truth though.

 

[Rhodesholar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9047136#post9047136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I have one of each. The ASM wasn't nearly as good a skimmer compared to the ER. They aren't exactly the same. The materials are cheaper, and the connections are loser. It is kind of aggravating to be honest. It (the ASM G-3) feels cheap in my hands, compared to the Euro-Reef.

Now if you modify the impellar with mesh material, the ASM can produce better results at least. I've heard mixed reports that ASM is no longer in business, as well as how that skimmer has been replaced with the Octopus instead. I don't the full truth though.

YOu will get no disgreement from me that the construction of the ASM can in anyway compare to the Euroreef. Like comparing a ferrari and honda.

However I did ALOT of research and everything I read said it was basically a cheaper version of the Euroreef, that Euroreef didn't want to build. So those people started ASM. Euroreef eventually did by implementing the ES series or whatever their cheaper line is named.

I just hate to tell this gentleman to spend $350+ on another skimmer when his ASM is at the very least sufficient.

If I am wrong, I apologize.

 

[melev]

If he does the Mesh mod like I did, I think he'll be very happy with the results. Here's a thread about my own experience, and there is a 43+ page here on RC as well if you need it.

http://dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=26439&sid=52ebacd4cc323da0d085d84f5362d243

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9047083#post9047083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhodesholar
Some one else said the ASM is sub-par.

I was under the impression that the ASM was in everyway the same as Euroreef (same pump, impeller etc.) except in the type of plastic it is constructed from. Basically they both perform the same, just the Euroreef is built better.

Not true, different impellar, and in many cases, different pumps. The ER versions of the same pump pull more air. Euroreef is built better, performs better, and now, in most cases, isnt significantly more expensive.

I also remember reading that ASM started as an offshoot of Euroreef because Euroreef at the time did not want to go with that design, so those people left and started ASM.

true

Also Euroreef now offers the model made out of the same material that ASMs are made from.

The new ER cheapo models are made of extruded acrylic. ASMs are extruded clear PVC.

From everything I had read ASM is a very good skimmer.

The ASM is a mediocre skimmer, which was just fine when a G3 was $200, and an ER 6-2 was $400+, but now that same G3 is $300, and the new ER model is also $300, but is built better, and performs better. Combine that, with the fact that the $149 Reef Octopus NW150 is built better than the ASM, and is close to the ER build wise, and will outskim the ASM and keep up with the ER, basically damns ASM.


Everyone else drastically increased quality and dropped prices. ASM stayed exactly the same and raised prices.

If you want a great skimmer, buy the ER. If you want a good skimmer, with plenty of potential, at a great price, buy the Reef Octopus. Stay away from ASM

 

[onehundred20]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9046975#post9046975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
By pruning the cheatomorpha by 30 to 50%, you'll encourage new growth. Once you do pull out a large portion, be sure to tug slightly at the remaining macro algae, pulling it apart somewhat to encourage more growth and allow flow through the plant.

Nitrate is in the water. Doing water changes will drop it, providing you aren't adding more (top off water; other sources listed in the article above). You need to do larger water changes back to back, even if it is daily for two or three days. Each 50% water change will drop it by 50%.

Once your sandbed is established, it will help denitrify the water. It takes 6 months to get a good mature sandbed going.

Water changes are key. Make sure temp & salinity match, and ideally pH should be the same as well. If you have it mix in the barrel next to the tank for 24 hours, the pH will be the same as the display tank.

Thanks Marc, I just went to the depot and bought a 44 gallon brute with some wheels, also have a 32 that I usually use...so I should be able to do a 50% here tommorow....would it be ok to do just 50% in one shot or should I use your method...If I use your method how much should I take out/put in etc...total volume is around 160 gallons I think or so.

The sand bed is fairly new so it will need some time.

 

[onehundred20]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9047005#post9047005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcr6479
How's the color of the Chaeto? If not dark green, add iron. Withhout iron, macro grow with be stunned.

Its pretty dark

 

[onehundred20]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9047425#post9047425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
If he does the Mesh mod like I did, I think he'll be very happy with the results. Here's a thread about my own experience, and there is a 43+ page here on RC as well if you need it.

http://dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=26439&sid=52ebacd4cc323da0d085d84f5362d243

I have thought about modding my skimmer, but the new skimmer will probaly have to wait till I graduate...or at least till march

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9050227#post9050227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onehundred20
Thanks Marc, I just went to the depot and bought a 44 gallon brute with some wheels, also have a 32 that I usually use...so I should be able to do a 50% here tommorow....would it be ok to do just 50% in one shot or should I use your method...If I use your method how much should I take out/put in etc...total volume is around 160 gallons I think or so.

The sand bed is fairly new so it will need some time.

Just drain 50% and replace it. Have the lights off, and use a pump to push the water out and to pump it back in. That will keep the waterchange down to about 10-12 minutes of your time.

The water going back into the tank should be pumped into a pitcher, cup, vase, etc... That way the water will overflow rapidly into the tank without blasting the sandbed into suspension.

 

[onehundred20]

ok cool, do you u sually do the pulling out and pumping in at the same time or drain it halfway then fill back up? Im not sure exactly how far to take it down since I only have my 30gallon marked. I guess I can drain the sump, fill it back up then take the rest from the display, since I usually shut my pumps off for water changes.

 

[melev]

That would work. I drain out the old, then replace with new.

 

[onehundred20]

ok cool just making sure, ill let you guys know how it goes, hopefully I can get it down some.

 

[Zedar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9046249#post9046249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onehundred20
I used quickcrete from lowes, also place some caribsea over it so it wouldnt blow around so much.

Ok as long as you didn't put allot of caribsea over it. Too much and you'll have created a detrus trap.

Good luck and hang in there. Things will start to improve with the sandbed in place. And the water changes.

 

[onehundred20]

did a 75 gallon water change and dropped the down to around 25-30....Gonna do another 44 gallon change today.

Not bad though, most progress Ive seen in a while, changing that much water was a pain but dropped them at least half way.

 

[Rhodesholar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9048744#post9048744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Not true, different impellar, and in many cases, different pumps. The ER versions of the same pump pull more air. Euroreef is built better, performs better, and now, in most cases, isnt significantly more expensive.


true


The new ER cheapo models are made of extruded acrylic. ASMs are extruded clear PVC.


The ASM is a mediocre skimmer, which was just fine when a G3 was $200, and an ER 6-2 was $400+, but now that same G3 is $300, and the new ER model is also $300, but is built better, and performs better. Combine that, with the fact that the $149 Reef Octopus NW150 is built better than the ASM, and is close to the ER build wise, and will outskim the ASM and keep up with the ER, basically damns ASM.


Everyone else drastically increased quality and dropped prices. ASM stayed exactly the same and raised prices.

If you want a great skimmer, buy the ER. If you want a good skimmer, with plenty of potential, at a great price, buy the Reef Octopus. Stay away from ASM

Thank you for the clarification. This hobby frustrates the Hell out of me because I really don't think anyone really knows what they are talking about (loose assumption/rant). It is all based on personal opinion and agenda. I did several months of research before I purchased my ASM G3 and they were a rave. EVERYONE raved about the ASM. I read several on line reviews by experts in the field and they recommended ASM over Euroreef. Now all the of the sudden the ASM is mediocre. How did it go from blowing Euroreef away for the money, to mediocre is my question? I could have bought either one, and everything I read said ASM was the right choice for the money. The only difference was build quality.

Did Euroreef recently change their design, because they both used the same parts. I checked. Everything was the same except the contruction quality which I was aware of.

As long as I am ranting this also goes for MH vs T5. Everything I researched said for the money MH was superior. Now, T5 appears hands down to be suprior. I mean what the Hell?

Ok. Sorry. I apologize for going off on this gentlemans thread. My point is the guy probably purchased his skimmer under the same guise as I have and now he finds it's mediocre.