Nitrate Control

[Lizzy & Me]

Seems that I can't make a difference in my nitrate level. Added a refugium with calurpia (sp?) and utilized some nitra zorb to try to lower the nitrate level. I am currently at 40 ppm.

My question is 1) how long should the refuge take to see a detectable drop in nitrates or 2) how much water can I safely change in a 300 gallon tank?

Also ant thoughts on natural seawater that the LFS is selling at $1 a gallon? Catalina Island water they claim.

 

[NurseSmartyPants]

how much live rock is in your 300 gallon tank? this is a FOWLR right?
what is causing these nitrates? over feeding?
i wouldn't be too worried about changing 30% of the water. i've heard of people doing larger water changes than that with no trouble.
where are you getting your water from thus far?

 

[shavo]

my friend recently set up a refugium and could not find plants for it. He had a nitrate problem like you do, i gave him a basketball size of plants (cheato morpha) nd I asked him what his nitrates were the next day and he said almost zero.

before i had a fuge i bought a denitrater and it worked well for me
here is the link if interested

http://www.midwestaquatic.com/

also i have one not being used if you want it!!!!
i have the sulfur denitrater

 

[Len]

Fuges will need a while to start doing their thing. Expect 2-3 months at least. For a 300 gallon, you can do 100-150 gallons of change if you really wanted to. Just make sure the new water has the same temp and salinity as your aquarium when you make the change.

I used to use Catalina water for my tank. It worked fine for 10+ years. I'm mixing my own now though because my LFS' storage tanks are getting dirtier each year :? If you're talking about the 5G bottled stuff, they should be fine water too so long as it hasn't been on the shelf too long. Pricey though.

BTW, I love your avatar

 

[Lizzy & Me]

Thanks everyone! I thought it was too simplistic of a question and I was to continue my research on my own, but now I am feelin' the love !

Some Background info:

Used system, 300 gallon system with 3" of live(?) sand 300# of LR used in his 200 gal sump for this tank (no growth on it), 20 fish, Emporer 25W UV, Ocean Clear canister, 400W Custom Sea Life PC unit, Kent Marine Eductor skimmer and a little CPR sump/skimmer set up.

I have since added an additional 25 w UV, a Megaflow 4 sump with a refuge and 1/3 hp chiller and awaiting a new 400W MH pendant.

I am feeding twice a day either krill or brine for one meal and flake for the other. The tangs have some tang heaven to graze on. The food is eaten in less than a minute.

I feel the nitrate issue may have been related to the sand. During the move, I stirred it up twice and washed it, but not as well as I should have. I retained 100 gal of the tank water and added 200 gal of RO/UV water from the local water store (LWS?!) The amonia and nitrites are 0 but the nitrates are at 40 ppm. I did a 32 gal water change last nignt and this has brought them down to 30-35 ppm. I plan to do another tonight.

The fuge is growing in nicely and to my suprise a feather duster showed up two nights ago in the fuge! Man were we excited.

I am considering bringing in some new LR to see if it will populate the other rocks.

Any picks on your favorite LR?

PS: Len I will keep snapping pics until I get one as good as yours! Can you tell me why so many people are waiting to see your tank!?

Jack