SPS, BB, and Nitrate

[Covey]

Well you guys got me into this. I went BB when I set up the new tank a month ago. After a month the nitrates are now at 5ppm. Hardy dangerous at this point but more nitrate then I ever had with the DSB.

The tank is a 150G. I have been feeding slighty more than usual to try a talk my new sailfin tang into being less shy. I am cutting back on that. I had a SEIO crap out and my turnover rate is 32X. I am prop moding a few MJs tommorrow and it will be up around 60-70x tommorow. I vacuum every two days. I run purgen, carbon, and phosban. My skimmer is currrentily a MRC MR-1 running on a Panworld pump.

The question here is given the nitrate level and the corrective measusres taken do the nitrate levels in a BB tank drop given the proper husbandry or do I need to do something else?

Second I had the same skimmer on my 75g with a DSB and now on my 150g BB. The skimmer got about 2.5x more crap out of the smaller DSB tank than the larger BB tank.
Is this normal?

Lastly I have the option here in two weeks to finish off my lighting(would like to) or to get a new larger skimmer. Is it needed. The MR-1 is rated to 175G I think. I have always been a fan of overskimming but I was wanting to finish my lighting. I am confused about how demanding a bb system is on it skimmer. Is a giant one need or what?

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Honestly I would give it some time before you make wholesale changes. Get your flow back on par and see where you end up. After that look into a bigger skimmer. What size pump do you run on the skimmer?

 

[samsfishnchips]

Covey,

what skimmer we are talking about here?

and

BB needs a bigger skimmer than a DSB needs,

sam

 

[DitchPlains2]

should I even say this??

should I even say this??

Vokda? I mean if you add ethanol at this point, you can be able to increase your bacteria and reduce the nitrate significantly. If you read the Randy Holmes Farely post, I have just started doing this, as a means to reduce nitrates. I run a Tunze 9015 on a 55, so overskimming already, I also know I have enough flow to keep the 02 levels high even if the ethanol induced bacterial bloom does use up the 02 faster then normal. I can only suggest it, but its that or major water changes you know the phrase "sollution to p, blah blah." just my two cents good luck

David

 

[elephen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7290246#post7290246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEF-DADDY
Honestly I would give it some time before you make wholesale changes. Get your flow back on par and see where you end up. After that look into a bigger skimmer. What size pump do you run on the skimmer?

I agree, up your flow. Also do a LOT of experimenting with 'smart' flow. You want the flow to come up to your overflow to get any suspended particulate matter and detritius to your skimmer. I may also up your skimmer to a MR2 or 3. I run a PM Bullet3 (MR3 equivalent) on my 120g BB tank.

 

[Covey]

I was thinking about one of the largest pacfic coast deltec knock off.
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=PS-PCRPS-3000

I also need to exopy down one corner of the HDPEas it sticks up and get detritus stuck under it.

I just thought it was odd that the skimmer was getting less than before consider the overflows on the new tank are much more effiecent.

 

[Covey]

Re: should I even say this??

Re: should I even say this??

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7290515#post7290515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DitchPlains2
Vokda? I mean if you add ethanol at this point, you can be able to increase your bacteria and reduce the nitrate significantly. If you read the Randy Holmes Farely post

David

Do you have a link to that?