Reducing Nitrates

[Labenator65000]

Back in my pond-keeping days, I had researched and set up a Nitrate filter by having the pump output into a reservoir that was filled with certain plants. Can something like this be done in an aquarium, say, in a sump filter (etc)?

 

[Mogurako]

You can just have fast growing stem plants or floating plants in the tank and they will suck up excess nitrates. You can put them in a sump but you'd need to light the sump.

Adding plants is just a band aide solution if your nitrates are to high, best to attack the root cause.

 

[mattrox]

Back in my pond-keeping days, I had researched and set up a Nitrate filter by having the pump output into a reservoir that was filled with certain plants. Can something like this be done in an aquarium, say, in a sump filter (etc)?

Yes you can.

Here is one relevant thread.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f60/rate-my-plans-for-a-freshwater-sump-refugium-190647.html


And here is a pic of one set-up.
8g tank & 10g sump/fuge - 10g w/ 9g of water @36gph Marineland Penguin 660 170gph PH Drilled main tank (~8g) Info here Aquarium Advice Gallery

 

[Hholly]

Look up "algae turf scrubber" on google.