Can someone tell me the best way to lower my nitrate levels other than doing multiple water changes if there is a way. My nitrate levels were around 60 - 80. Also what would be the proper amount of food to feed 5 fish? I have a 3" tomato clown, 5" panther grouper, 4" yellow tang, 3" Niger Trigger and a 4" Foxface? I'm not sure if I'm feeding them too much. I usually feed them 2 square frozen cubes a night. I have a 92 gallon corner tank. Thanks in advance for the help.
Question on Lowering Nitrate levels & Feeding
- Thread starter djmikek
- Start date
yukonblizzard
New member
How long has your tank been running? My 180 has been running for two years and always had high nitrates until I finaly cleaned the sand.
In addition to upgrading your skimmer, for long term stability and filtration capacity, I'd consider doubling the amount of live rock , and/or put a refugium on the tank. Refugia with macroalgae are great for nutrient export, you can reduce nitrates and phosphates dramatically.
You may as well get a skimmer for a tank rated double the size of the one you have, I think you will eventually need at least a 180.
Even though you only have five fish, if you keep them to adult size, the trigger, grouper and possibly foxface will outgrow your tank.
You may as well get a skimmer for a tank rated double the size of the one you have, I think you will eventually need at least a 180.
Even though you only have five fish, if you keep them to adult size, the trigger, grouper and possibly foxface will outgrow your tank.
limitdown
New member
Consider getting a sulfur denitrators. They work and they're almost set-it-and-forget-it. Nitrates in my 250g system have been undetectable for over 1yr now.
Chk this link.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1288082&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Chk this link.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1288082&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
saltyESQ
New member
read through this:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1260492
My nitrates were at 550ppm and I brought them down to 20ppm in a little over a week.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1260492
My nitrates were at 550ppm and I brought them down to 20ppm in a little over a week.
Recty
New member
Wow, 550ppm is crazy
As already stated, a sump/refugium set up helps a lot, as does a well working skimmer of good quality.
As far as how much you are feeding your fish, just make sure you feed enough that after 2 or 3 minutes, all the food is eaten and there isnt tons just floating around the tank waiting to dissolve and eventually turn into nitrates.
As already stated, a sump/refugium set up helps a lot, as does a well working skimmer of good quality.
As far as how much you are feeding your fish, just make sure you feed enough that after 2 or 3 minutes, all the food is eaten and there isnt tons just floating around the tank waiting to dissolve and eventually turn into nitrates.
Pufferpunk
New member
What test kit will give a reading that high?
I had a CSS 125 on my 55g that worked well but that certainly wouldn't handle a 92g.
As far as dosing vodka, I get the same results from adding vitamin C. I have a 15g mantis shrimp tank where the nitrate was always over 100, even with weekly 90% WC. They are now always <10, even after 3 weeks of no WC.
I had a CSS 125 on my 55g that worked well but that certainly wouldn't handle a 92g.
As far as dosing vodka, I get the same results from adding vitamin C. I have a 15g mantis shrimp tank where the nitrate was always over 100, even with weekly 90% WC. They are now always <10, even after 3 weeks of no WC.
lower nitrates
lower nitrates
how do u feed? If put the food in the water to thaw don't just dump it in. Pour it into a net rinse it then put it in. Alot of people just dump the food water and all, basically you are pouring in a nitrate bomb at each feeding. Doing that will help, it's helped on all of our tanks.
lower nitrates
how do u feed? If put the food in the water to thaw don't just dump it in. Pour it into a net rinse it then put it in. Alot of people just dump the food water and all, basically you are pouring in a nitrate bomb at each feeding. Doing that will help, it's helped on all of our tanks.
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