Algae Bloom from Nitrate

[ZBT3091]

I posted a few weeks ago about my algae problem, and the source of the problem now seems to be obvious. i did a water test today and my nitrates were through the roof. the ammonia and nitrite levels were fine at almost 0 ppm, and my ph was a little high (around 8.4). I feed my fish frozen foods (about 3 small cubes) once every other day, and i make sure all food is eaten. between those days i feed a small amount of flakes and some pellets. again all food is eaten. is there anyway to reduce my nitrate levels? i have a deep sandbed and i make water changes every week

 

[bronxer]

Try 1. reducing your bioload.
2. Denitrator
3. A better protein skimmer - what kind do you have?
4. What kind of water do you use - RO/DI? or tap?

 

[wxl14]

Weekly water changes till the problem goes away. Good protein skimmer. rinse your food with RO water. Im sure others will add more advice.

 

[tommy818]

have a wetdry with bio balls remove the bio balls.ph at 8.4 is not high

 

[ZBT3091]

im thinking about adding a sump. my skimmer is a remora pro. i use tap water

 

[ZBT3091]

http://www.erbio.com/?p=right-now-bacteriai know the stuff about skipping the cycle process and adding fish instantly is crap, but has anyone ever used this to lower nitrates? im thinking about a denitrator, but it seems complex to make.

 

[meschaefer]

im thinking about adding a sump. my skimmer is a remora pro. i use tap water

Well there is your problem. Tap water and a small skimmer.
Your skimmer is to small for your tank, especially with two tangs.
Get and RO/DI unit.

 

[wxl14]

Tap water is loaded with phosphates. Not good. Use RO water get a sump it will benefit you to have it. and get a big skimmer. You will be fine.. That bacteria in a bottle it would probobly help. But its definitly no instant cycle. And if your strapped for cash the first change i would make is getting and RO it would be the most beneficial at this time. Then Skimmer then Sump. thats just my opinion

 

[marki24]

IMO you are overfeeding you fish. You should have a "vacation day" where once a week you dont feed your fish. And another thing is you are using tap water.

 

[prattreef]

You say nothing about your phosphate levels. IMO your algae is far more likely caused by excessive Phosphate levels than Nitrate. The combo is even worse. If you are using tap water, and your nitrates are high, I can guarantee you that your phosphates are through the roof too.

1) Stop using tap water
2) get a phosban reactor
3) rinse all your frozen food before feeding
4) once you have a clean source water, then perform several large water changes.

 

[ellebelle]

I agree 100% with Randy.

In addition, I don't think you need to take a "vacation day" from feeding. However, next time you feed, see how long it takes your fish to completely remove all of the food from the water column. If it takes longer than 2 minutes, then you can probably reduce your feeding amount each day - at least until you get your algae problem under control.

Once you've followed Randy's advice, you might also want to prune out some of the algae and/or invest in an aggressive clean up crew to help get rid of the algae that is already established.

Good luck.

 

[ZBT3091]

thanks guys