Fighting NO3-

[joeyttk]

Hi bro,

I had a serious NO3- problem. Here's a pic of my tank before things went real bad

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...ndpost&p=318326

For the past few weeks, I being changing water regularly every weekend but it doesn't help much except to stabilize my NO3- level between 50mg/l to 100mg/l [i am using Tetra Test]

So as discussed in my other thread, I spend 4 back breaking hours changing nearly 50% of the water. And just 1 day after, I check that my NO3- is around 25mg/l

Can anyone advise if I should change 50% again or should I wait for a week to see if the NO3- goes down ?

I wash out the sump and filter box and yes, it stinks like hell. Now the sump looks clean and everything is very clear except for my NO3-.

HElp help, I am seriously at a loss on what to do ?

and can anyone tell me what's the vodka method of jumpstarting bacteria culture ?

[Achilles Tang]

If you have problems dealing with nitrates, you have to go to the source.

1. Overfeeding

2. Overstocking

Reduce these immediately.

You can go into quick solutions:

1. AZ-NO3 (very effective at quick lowerings of NO3).

2. Regular water changes until 100% of the water is changed out over time.

Or you should plan for long term control measures:

1. Setup an effective NNR (natural system system) such a DSB or plenum.

Pros: Very effective. Low maintenance. Cheap (cost of sand)

Cons: takes time to kick in, takes up vertical space in tank (6"), may become a nutrient sink over years

2. Setup a mechanical denitrator system

Pros: can be effective when tuned right. Results are quicker than DSB.

Cons: high maintenance. Expensive equipment. Hard to tune.

Do a search in SRC... we have years of good info shared by reefers here. Keywords: DSB, nitrates, NNR, plenum.

[Vinoth]

You have to divide the total by 4.4 if you are using tetra.chk the box for instruction. Use different brand of test kit to confirm ur nitrate level is high,

[ervine]

huh you washed the sump? What for... unless there's a lot of detrius inside it or decaying matter... if not then most of the NO3 won't be "washed out"...

Strange that you say the sump stinks though... shouldn't have any bad smell other than the usual salt water/fishy smell

[diabolus]

bro..

before u jump into any conclusion...

i suggest u get a more reputable test kit --> Salifert.

It might save you all the trouble if ur current test kit is inaccurate.

[joeyttk]

Hi bros,

thanks for all the good and quick responses. that's one great thing about sgreef. there is always someone who will answer your questions

here's some clarification.

a. I have a 5" inch sand bed and the tank is about 13-14 month old leow.

b. the reason for cleaning up the sump is that my filter box is quite dirty and I am rinsing the medium, bio balls, and changing the filter foams and poly filters etc etc. I had not maintained sump for all these months and I think it could be one reason why my No3- is consistently high.

c. After changing 50% of the water yesterday, it does bring down my NO3- from around 75-100mg to the range of 25mg/l. I will go buy selifast to test again

d. I think I will try the AZNO3 once I get it. I went to petmart and reborn but all dun have stock, anyone know where else got sell and roughly how much ?

Lastly, I got a diatom[i think] problem . It's this brown thin film of algea on my LR and corner of tanks. I think it is due to poor circulation. Should I buy tunzee pump ?

I saw a set for 920SGD [2 x tz14 + 1 controller]. Should I buy this or just a simple 6060 [non-programmable] ?

any comments bro ?

thanks

[diabolus]

a good flow rate with few or no dead spots can prevent diatom blooms.

if ur wallet allows you to...go for the programmable tunzes.

[joeyttk]

Hi,

thanks for your advise on the deadspot. I just bought a scio 820 power head and things should improved soon.

In trying to fight NO3-, here's are some observations and ideas, please kindly advise

a. I got a whole bunch of 'grapes' from a friend and I am putting them in my sump. I am planning to improve the lighting condition with a Jepro PL lights [current have a small light used for my planted tank]. What is the recommended lighting specs and durations ? I am currently following the reverse timing tactics which I read in other thread [i.e. on when MH is off]. Is this enuff ? Should I get iron supplement for the plant ?

b. I bought seachem denitrate and put them in my canister filters. Due to space constraint, I cannot put them in my filter box. Is the flow too fast for it to be effective ? Should I get a FR and replace the sand with the seachem de-NO3- pellet ?

c. I am using AZ NO3- for 7 days. Using salifest, my current NO3- dropped from 25 to slightly above 10. My KH is very low [could be due to the massive water change]. I have problem keeping my calcium down and KH up. I will be using magnesium for to reduce my CA, but is there another problem on why my KH is consistently low ?

please help thanks bros:)

[RAV-65]

How low is ur KH?... Could be ionic imbalance, get ur Magnesium up to at least 1200ppm 1st...

Remove the bioballs gradually, it could be a no3 factory...

[joeyttk]

My KH flatuate between 5 - 8. I am trying to keep it at 10 but it seems to break down very fast.

Is it important to keep magnesium at 1200 ?

What I can do about the ionic imbalance ?

I have flush my bio balls last week.