Started using Instant Ocean's 'Natural Nitrate Reducer'

[cchardwick]

Has anyone tried this product? Seems like its starting to work miracles for me. I have a six gallon nano-reef with two clownfish and a cleaner shrimp and have been wanting to add a small bubble tip anemone but the nitrates have been off the scale. The tank has been set up for about eight months now and all the glass, rocks and gravel are all covered with beautiful purple coraline algae. I have no skimmer or reactors or anything except some bioballs and some carbon in the back. I have to admit I haven't done a water change for probably a month and a half, just keep topping off with fresh water.

I started dosing a week and a half ago using double the dose (12 mL per dose) and after just two doses my nitrates have already come down to 25 ppm! I'm guessing they were well over 100 ppm when I started. They were way over 50ppm, off the scale. It will be interesting to see how they are in the coming weeks. This could be the miracle fiix for my nano reef (hopefully).

Here's the tank when I set it up. Since then the rocks look exactly the same but the purple algae is all over everything else, it's really doing great!

 

[Dave & Monica]

Welcome to RC - I haven't used it but most who have NO3 issues, have PO4 too. What's your PO4 reading? Since you don't have algae issues, I assume it's low.

 

[cchardwick]

Welcome to RC - I haven't used it but most who have NO3 issues, have PO4 too. What's your PO4 reading? Since you don't have algae issues, I assume it's low.

Not sure, I do have a test for that but havent tested it. I do have a handfull of mini hermit crabs and a few turbo snails that mow the algae down. I see it pop up in small patches but the clean up crew mows it down before it can take over. I also have a handfull of that course algae that looks like a brillo pad that I got from a fellow reefer, perhaps that is keeping the phosphates under control.

I've heard rumors of that nitrate reducer bringing the nitrates down to zero in a month. I'm excited to see if that will be true in my tank. I've also heard people say that you need a protein skimmer for it to work. Looks like that isn't the case, and in fact a protein skimmer may even slow down it's efficiency since it looks like the stuff needs to stay in the tank.

 

[tmz]

It is mini polymer pellets which are carbohydrates(an organic carbon source) dosed directly to the tank rather than via a reactor. The reasons for a skimmer are the same with it as with bio pellets or other forms of carbon dosing;ie: to remove organic carbon nitrate and phosphate taken up by the bacteria it encourages,and to provide aeration as bacteria can deplete oxygen. Some of the nitrate goes to N2,nitogen gas but some along with phosphate and the organic carbon are taken up by the bacteria or their by products.

 

[Ky726]

REALLY Nice lookin' lil reef! I just bought that stuff tonight, and dosed it. I've been in the process of redoing my filtration (with cheato most likely) and my nitrates are higher than I'd like. I'm pretty ashamed to say *how* high... Anyways, I was wondering if you continued to have good results with this product? Also, I know you mentioned a small BTA in your tank, I think one that looks like this would look amazing.(If you can track one down*I emailed them about it...havent't heard back yet)http://www.philyouraquarium.com/product/extreme-purple-rain-bubble-tip-anemone

 

[alanbates12]

Nice looking tank. What are your parameters? Also I think a better maintance an would be better and also drop your nitrates. Stay away from additives if you can. Your bio load does not look heavy so should be easy once you start frequent water changes. It's almost a must without a skimmer

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

This IO product is similar to many other ways of dosing organics carbon. I prefer dosing soluble organics (like vinegar) but many people like pellets of various sorts, either in a reactor or mixed into the substrate.

Using any of these methods without a skimmer may not work well long term, but it is a fine experiment.

 

[fishchef]

I've been using this IO product for about two years. With a six gallon nano you'll use very little and its simpler that vinegar or vodka being time released. My nitrates we're climbing, but were only about 25 with signs of getting worse. My nitrates are now consistently 12.5 or lower. You do need a skimmer when you carbon dose and I suggest more partials. With such a small tank a gallon a week is a breeze. We have a 125 and do 25% bi-weekly. Partials correct a lot of errors and keep things stable. IMO

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've been using this IO product for about two years. With a six gallon nano you'll use very little and its simpler that vinegar or vodka being time released.

I agree it is simpler, but it is much harder to control.