nitrates - sugar

[shibumi]

Has anybody tried the sugar method to reduce nitrates? does it work?

Hey ladyfsu could be a nice school project.

 

[kirdes]

ummm, I have never heard of that? Will be following this post!

 

[robthorn]

sugar works if you do it right. so does vodka or anything that is a carbon source. you shouldn't have detectable nitrates in the first place though.

 

[shibumi]

I found this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=898931

 

[plyle02]

Shibumi,
I would echo what Rob says, look at the root cause as to why you have nitrates.. I will give you an ex. I use exclusively RO/DI water for top off and water changes. I usually don't register on 2 different nitrate tests. However, I have noticed phosphates creeping, and a little algae outbreak on my sand bed. I have not tested my RO/DI on the TDS in several months, only to find over 33 on the TDS. I immediately ordered replacement 3 of my 4 filters, and am back to reading zero. I am currently do massive water changes, and hopefully will see the algae subside. My 2 cents.....

 

[TAMike97]

It works great. But I wouldnt recommend using it for a permanent fix. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD SKIMMER.

 

[TAMike97]

It works great. But I wouldnt recommend using it for a permanent fix. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD SKIMMER.

 

[WarDaddy]

I am not following this thread well....

Nitrates are the final step of the cycle. Nitrate is present in all established tanks. The question is how do we control it so that it does not accumulate, and eventually kills off our live stock.

there are lots of good ways to control Nitrate:

A good skimmer will get protein out of the water before it is broken down and begins the cycle. But if you have fish, you have ammonia, so you will end up with nitrate. However, the skimmer will keep excess ammonia from the water.

Water changes are a great method of nitrate control, and you have the added bonus of adding in trace minerals that the salt companies add to the salt.

Macro algae is another great control. The Macro algae consumes nitrate to grow. Keep trimming back the Macro algae and you are removing nitrates.

Deep Sand Beds, or Remote Deep Sand Beds are a great way to remove Nitrates.

Plenum are another method, but that is basically a deep sand bed with a void... is it the plenum or the deep sand that is giving us the benefits?

From what I have read and tired, those are the most popular methods of Nitrate control. I personally like the combination of macro Algae and a remote deep sand bed, I put both in a Refuge.

 

[plyle02]

Agreed Wardaddy,
How about a deep sand bed refugium, with chaeto and caulerpa...Also, using RO/DI water(zero on TDS), and add a quality skimmer. Not to say that vodka or sugar does not work, but I think just a patch for a larger issue. I personally would rather save my vodka for a martini, and sugar for my coffee.....lol.. Good luck if you decide, and keep us posted....

 

[shibumi]

Does anybody have any caulerpa? ..... chaeto? ...

I think I am going to try the refugium ... I need to see how I can convert my sump into a refugium .... wish me good luck

 

[shibumi]

Is It ok to mix them up or I have to stick with one or the other

 

[robthorn]

do you have sand and rock shibumi?

 

[shibumi]

Yes I Have sand and rock left over .. and I have a megaflow sump and a skimmer

 

[shibumi]

and I have a Lunar Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact Fluorescent Fixture that I had in my 36g

 

[robthorn]

hmmmm? you must be adding nitrates with your make up and or water change water. even a small skimmer keeps nitrates very low if detectable with sand and rock.
where do you get your water?

 

[shibumi]

I tested my water and there is not nitrates in there

Could be that I am feeding to much seaweed?

 

[cwegescheide]

I've done it in a pinch but BE CAREFUL. doesn't take much at all. Read all you can and make your decision based on a trusted source. Figure out the source of your excess nitrates and resolve the issue. Then forget about the sugar.

 

[robthorn]

did you test the new mixed saltwater also? could possibly be the salt mix but not normally these days.
you would have to be feeding alot but it's very possible.

 

[shibumi]

Our sump have another crack ,, yes another it is tiny like the first one.

But we decide to get a new one, And want a refugium now.

I have a 90g how big should be my refugium and how much should it cost?

 

[markandkristen]

i tried it and my skimmer improved so i like the idea.

i think sugar is a natural substance. or is it chemically made up?
i thought it came from sugar cane?