Nitrate Poisoning?

[tjreef]

I found my copperband stuck on powerhead and where it is usually is silver turned light brown. Nitrate level is at 160 ppm. I am going to do a water change tonight. I think the nitrates went up because one of the powerheads keeps falling and mixing up gravel. Also been had ballast capacitor blow up and had to solder a new capacitor and fuse in so 2 t5s went down for 4 hrs.

Tank-125gal 6ft long (no idea what the other demensions are)
Light-Odyssea 4x80w t5ho with timer
Sump-20gal
Protein skimmer-red sea 25-250gal triple pass
Return pump-650gph

I think some of this need to be improved im working on getting a protein skimmer and i think the return pump should be alot higher gph. Any opinions on a better setup? And id have a reef yet.

 

[tjreef]

Also are skimmers better in the sump as apposed to it being pump feed outside pump?

 

[Ingy]

If I had room for an external sump I'd do that in a second. Anything to free up room for rocks and/or cheato.

 

[tjreef]

I do have an external sump just not very big... cheato? Im new to aquariums this year

 

[crister13]

Chaeto is a type of macroalgae that consumes nitrates and phosphates when it grows. It is kept in a refugium (separate tank or section of the sump) with a light over it to grow. IMO an algae scrubber is MUCH better. I was in your situation (nitrate over 160) I added my algae scrubber and within two months they are holding at 20. Every water change they drop. But for you, get a mag 12 return, AA bigger sump (40g breeder or 55g) get a reef octopus NW 200, and an algae scrubber. That's pretty much my setup. Except I have a mag 18. But here's a pic of my setup.

 

[tjreef]

Ok thanks and ya have been kinda reading bout fuges and i was windering if we need a light like wuts on the aquarium.. and do u kno if my light is big enough? Or do i need another fixture with 2 t5s

 

[crister13]

Just a cfl light from home depot would work fine for a algae scrubber or fuge.

 

[tjreef]

K ill try that i have a 40 gal breeder that i dont use need to clean it out though. Any ideas? A little bleach and get a good rinse or use somethin else?

 

[tjreef]

And i have a couple cabinet lights would that work it still has the bulb that were in it?

 

[tjreef]

Cabinet light

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Bleach is fine. The 40 breeder would allow you way more space for equipment and a refugium. I'd make the refugium as large as possible.

 

[tjreef]

How much bleach to water would you use? Is it better to have your skimmer in the fuge or out side..

 

[tjreef]

I was also wondering if i should keep my salinity higher its at 1.021

 

[crister13]

Ocean water is approximately 1.026 so I would recommend keeping it at that. Mine is 1.026-1.027.

 

[tjreef]

I should gradually bring the salinity up then. Any ideas on bleach to water ratio?

 

[tjreef]

Would those cabinet lights work for fuge. I posted pics

 

[crister13]

I mean they may "work" but you want something to grow it like a weed. I would get a cfl bulb and use that with reflectors. Should work well.

 

[tjreef]

K im going to try and turn the 40 gal in to a refuge today gonna have to look and see if lfs has that algae

 

[crister13]

Caulerpa also works. You can order it from the internet also.

 

[CorallineAlgae]

A 3-part water to 1-part bleach would be fine. It isn't a science so it doesn't need to be anything specific. Some people go 1:1 or 10:1.

You'll want to avoid the cabinet light. A cfl worked for me for years. My brother uses a single 24" T5 plant grow light from Amazon that rocks.