Nitrates rising and Sulfur Denitrator

[skidrow52]

Hi started this tank in January 2011, 150g tank nitrates has been always 0 but since i got rid off the cyano outbreak using MB7 I can see nitrates raising, using API test kit and JBJ its between 3 and 4 ppm.

I have a Sulfur Denitrator (Korallin) in hand, need advices if I shall start it? Or wait if nitrates start dropping again.

Skimmer: Reef Octopus 150 NW
more than 150lbs of live rocks, Seachem's Bio Matrix media in sump

 

[carey]

Hi there. Just my opinion, but i wouldnt' go crazy adding things especially since the readings are so low. thats just me though.

 

[skidrow52]

Hehe ran my mixed reef 150g with 0 `trates for six months and going above 0 is something very disturbing for me Well lets see what others advice.

Thank you

Hi there. Just my opinion, but i wouldnt' go crazy adding things especially since the readings are so low. thats just me though.

 

[melosu58]

How often are you feeding? At that low a reading I would just hold off and see if a few small tweaks will work.

 

[skidrow52]

Hi Melosu58, feeding once a day Ocean Nutrition flakes different every day consumed within 3 minutes by the fish.

How often are you feeding? At that low a reading I would just hold off and see if a few small tweaks will work.

 

[melosu58]

Three or four ppm is not really that much. If you wanted to tweak it to 0 then I would suggest doing what I`ve been doing for 13+ years now. Feeding every other day will help you to maintain 0. All the fish in my tank are between 8 and 13 yrs old. They have not suffered. JMO

 

[skidrow52]

Will do it, thanks!

Three or four ppm is not really that much. If you wanted to tweak it to 0 then I would suggest doing what I`ve been doing for 13+ years now. Feeding every other day will help you to maintain 0. All the fish in my tank are between 8 and 13 yrs old. They have not suffered. JMO

 

[bavass]

yes 3-4ppm is not bad and infact a lot of corals do better with small amounts on nitrates

 

[deepseadan]

I've heard a little about nitrate reactors or denitrators, but how do they work? I don't have issues with nitrates now but just wondering how good they are if I ever do have a problem or want to increase my fish load.

 

[bavass]

I did some rearch on them and didnt go with them because they have a tendancy to release sulfur into the tank and you have to continually adjust and add stuff to i think.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

When you're in town for MACNA I can show you my Algae Scrubber. By that time I hope to be running about 3. It's a lot simpler than a de-nitrator. I feed the fish in my 120 the equivalent of about 4 to 6 cubes per day and no nuisance algae, N=0.

 

[skidrow52]

That would be great Floyd! I will be staying in Holiday Inn Mercy Campus, I will be arriving on the night of 7th September. I also need to know LFS in Des Moines which I can visit and shop.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

The main one I would recommend is Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes

Fish Store

And also Adam's Aquatics

Adams Aquatics - Iowa Fish Store - Des Moines Coral Saltwater Aquariums

If you have extra time to visit other stores in the state, there are a few that are a few hours drive from Des Moines but probably worth it, one is Sea of Marvels which is near Iowa City, and the other is Anemones, Clowns, & Corals near Waterloo.