Nitrates a little high still - ideas?

[White-Queen]

Well, I just got my big test kit (I traded a lady for some bristleworms and sand critters) and ran the full gamut of tests.

Everything looked great except the Nitrates were a little high. Even after a 20% water change (which was due) they still were a little high (I forget the exact number on the scale, I think 2...whatever the first increment is on the test card I had.) I know this is probably contributing the a hair algea problem in my tank. Any ideas on lowering the levels? Am wanting to set up a refugium/sump under the stand in a 10g tank but right now I can't afford the pump. Any ideas? Also at what levels will the Nitrates become hazardous to my fish and shrimp/snails, etc.?

Thanks guys,

Angela <><

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

Phosphate is more likely the cause of hair algae problems. You should be aiming for levels of say 0.03 ppm (phosphate) or equivalently 0.01 ppm (phosphate-phosphorus). To be able to measure that low you would need a really good test kit - maybe the Salifert one.

Nitrate in itself is not so bad but most people try to keep it very low e.g. less than 2 ppm - again measuring that low requires a really good test kit.

The key to long term success will be to ensure that the rate you are getting rid of nitrate is faster than the rate your tank is making it - it really does not matter what method you use. Some of the choices are:

1. Get a big skimmer and lower the future rate of production of nitrate.
2. Lots of water changes - make sure you're not adding nasties with you new water (use DI water).
3. Growing macro-algaes that you can harvest.
4. A deep sandbed filter (as in six inches deep). You can get your nitrate down to zero with this method.
5. Grow mangroves (similar idea to 2).
6. Chemical resins to either (help) prevent nitrate forming (Seachem's Purigen) or to remove it.
7. feed the fish much less - it's surprising how little they can be happy with (some fish are like me - they eat everything they see - we would both survive quite happily on a quarter the amount of food).

 

[White-Queen]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, ebcuase of money issues I am using tap water w/conditioner but I will add to my sand bed (been on my list of things to do anyway) and grow some Macroalgea. A friend is sending me some since money is tight right now. *grin*

(College student budget!)

Anybody else have a comment to add?

Angela <><

 

[Anonymous]

How big is your tank? My LFS's sell ro water for 50 cents a gallon. Heck, I would guess that any local reefer would be happy to give some. If you lived near me I would.

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

Next on the shopping list needs to be something to help fix-up your tap water.

If you can't buy RO water then a Tap Water Purifier is probably the cheapest option so long as you are willing to recharge the resin yourself (it's easy to find instructions on the net - but be careful of the very strong checmicals that you have to use).

In the meantime, if you live near the sea, you could collect some free snails - if you have enough they might be able to mostly keep up with the algae growth.

 

[Minh Nguyen]

Using tap water for top-off water and tap water use for change is the problem (or one of the major problem) in your case. You can get and RO system from Home Depo, or Sam Club or Costco for about 150 dolllars. This should give you water that is as good or better than water you can buy at the market. It is easy to install if you are (or have a sig. other that is) some-what handy. The usnit I bought produces 15 g per day. I you want even better water than just change the membrane and flow restricter that come with the unit and you can get top of the line RO system.

 

[White-Queen]

I really can't afford to dish out a chunk like that...got my pay check today (for the month) and that's about what it was! *wry grin* I have so many hours at school it's very hard to find time enough to work and still maintain my grades. So I may be investigating the LFS for 50 cents a gallon option. If they even offer it.

Otherwise I saw a "tap water purifier" online I think at PA for pretty cheap...what can anyone tell me about the effectiveness of something like this is lowering phosphates?

Angela <><

 

[danmhippo]

Hmm.....Have you tested your source (tap) water for the NO3 and PO4? Do that first. Some city water are not as bad as you think they are. My tap registers near zero for both counts.

 

[White-Queen]

I have snails and they do a great job keeping it under control. I will definately check out the LFS option. At what point should I be really concernced about the levels of Nitrates?
Will it harm my fish and/or corals soon to add? (mushrooms and polyps)

Angela <><

 

[Anonymous]

Don't sweat NO3 unless it's over 20 or 30 ppm. They simply aren't very toxic.

A Tap Water Purifier (aquarium pharm.) will help with you tapwater. How much? Beats me. My water is 250ppm total dissolved solids coming out of the sink and it's <1 ppm after going through a TWP (I used to run 2 in series before I got a RO/DI). They last for 50-200 gallons depending on your water quality. I got ~40-50 gallons.

Call around. The LFS probably sells water. If you have a public aquarium nearby, they sometimes sell seawater (the Seattle Aquarium sells filtered, sterilized seawater for a nickel a gallon).

Get away from the tapwater as soon as you can. It may be fine this month, but the water people don't go door to door telling people when they change something.

Ty

 

[White-Queen]

Thanks, I will get away from tap when I can but at this point I'll probably just get the $20 tap water purifier with my paycheck next month. It's really just the best I can do at this point. The LFS here and the one in Sherman don't sell RO water so...Out of luck there.

Should be getting some Calerpa (sp?) from a guy this week so that will help I think.

And I'll feed smaller amounts more slowly to help keep waste from the sand bed.

And I'll (eventually) build the sand bed up from 2 inches to 4 or 5. And I think that will help a lot also.

Angela <><

 

[esmithiii]

You can buy ro/di water from a "water store" for like $0.40/gal. Thats the cheapest way to go until you get the RO/DI unit. They will "loan" you a 5gal bottle for $5-$7, which is refundable when you give the bottle back.

Ernie

 

[IBJJ]

I just recently purchased my RO/DI unit. But prior to that I took 5 gal water bottles to the supermarket and used the refillable units they have in the stores. Usually charged 25 cents a gallon. My tap water measured around 230ppm, I measured the filter stuff and it was around 30ppm. Not 0 but better than my tap water. Just make sure the unit you use doesn't have any copper tubing. You can usually call the phone number on the unit and they can tell you.