Struggling with nitrates

[jva]

Is it possible to get your nitrates to 0 without a refugium? I have just started a deep sand bed. Does anyone know how long it takes to start working? Ive been doing 10% water changes with RO filtered water every other day for weeks but can't get them below 5-10 parts ppm.

 

[davewbush]

Mine are at 0 without a no refugium. How much live rock do you have and are you running a skimmer? You may get beat up on here by a few people saying you have the DSB. There's been a lot of talk about them lately. I have one and have no nitrates. How old is your tank also?

 

[PRDubois]

What is your skimmer rated for?

 

[singold]

How often do you feed? What kind of filtration do you have?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

If you have a descent skimmer, and over 21 I would say the easiest solution is vodka. My nitrates and phosphates are now down to 0 with 0 algae as well.

 

[1602reefer]

I have 0 nitrates in my 55. I have about 60+ lbs of live rock in my tank. In your 100 gallon tank you should have over close to or over 100lbs of live rock for a proper reef set up. Once you have that it should be no problem keeping your nitrates at 0. If its a new tank also it may take about 6 weeks with the live rock to mature and the nitrogen cycle to complete and balance. Live rock is what is your tank most likely needs. I live in San Diego too. Go to Pet Kingdom on Sports Arena blvd, and they will help you out with a good deal on live rock. I think its $6 a lb for Figi rock and $4 a lb for normal base rock and if you buy over 20 lbs at once the price goes down to $4 a lb. Unless your over feeding or there is a dead fish that is your problem. Were you at scripps last nite?

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: Struggling with nitrates

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842375#post14842375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jva
Is it possible to get your nitrates to 0 without a refugium? I have just started a deep sand bed. Does anyone know how long it takes to start working? Ive been doing 10% water changes with RO filtered water every other day for weeks but can't get them below 5-10 parts ppm.

the dsb is one variable---how many fish do you have in your tank and how many times a day are you feeding them.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

capn... always pushing that dsb
and me............. I'm pushing vsv

 

[jva]

Nitrates at 10ppm

Nitrates at 10ppm

Sorry Iwas so long in replying ,I was away. The tank is about 4 months old, has about 90lbs. fiji live rock and 150 lbs. live sand. skimmer is a 125 G capacity I run a Sedra 12000 main pump(cycles aprox.10x an hr.) two korallia 600's for circulation and a uv steralizer. 4 small fish 1-2 in. a nudi, a fireshrimp, cocoworm and six assort. corals. I'm glad to find out I don't need a refugium tho. Thanks

 

[jva]

Hey 1602 reefer . Nope wasn't at Scripps and thanks for the info on Pet Kingdom.

 

[Aquarist007]

You don't need a refugium but you still can have chaeto algae growing in your tank and receive the benifits of its nitrogen and phosphate reductionL
In my frag tank I use these soap dishes at 1 dollar a piece. The larger one is just held up their for comparison---the one with the chaeto is in the tank.