how do you lower nitrate?

[jshaw]

???

[jamiep]

1)Grow Chaeto or another macro algae

2)Deep sand bed

3)More live rock

4)Water changes

5)Some chemicals.

Imployed by most hobbyists is Macro algae and upmost of all water changes.

[warrenm107]

Jamiep makes a lot of sense. I second his opinion.

[jamiep]

Originally posted by warrenm107
Jamiep makes a lot of sense.

For once

[acrouse]

The most important thing is to try to identify why you have high nitrates to begin with. If you do not find the source then you never get rid of the problem, you will just continue to fight high numbers.
Another suggestion to lower #'s - try cutting back on the amount you feed-as overfeeding will contribute to a majority of nitrate problems.

good luck
jolene

[jshaw]

thanks everone

[digidana]

i started feeding smaller amounts, but more often. instead of dropping in a whole cube of food, i drop in a quarter of one. wait til they finish that, then the second quarter, etc. that way they're eating most of it and its not dropping to the bottom to rot.

[acrodave]

water change,water change,water changewater change,,water change

[jshaw]

just did one 5 min ago haha thanks

[acrodave]

If people did more water changes they might not have as many issues as they have. Doing regular water changes will fix a lot of the tank problems out there

[Boca Kris]

Water changes is absolutely the most important.

When if first started, I was feeding the perfect amount of food, but all at once. Now I feed the same amount, but spread out maybe 3-4-5 times a day....smaller amounts does exactly what he said...it allows the fish to eat it all before it gets swept into the rocks and crevaces.

Do that and you'll probably be golden!

[bertoni]

This article might help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm

I don't think water changes usually help much, if there's an underlying problem, since the nitrate level jumps back up rapidly.

[tcilmo]

Make sure you dont over feed that can make nitrates spike it goes in hand with making water changes.

[Boca Kris]

Originally posted by bertoni
This article might help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm

I don't think water changes usually help much, if there's an underlying problem, since the nitrate level jumps back up rapidly.

That is an insanely good article, and heavy reading! It goes into great detail about chemistry, the causes, and processes. it mostly talks about nitrate and its removal or export. It definitely provides many reasons why you would have algae or dino at elevated nitrate levels. I am just stumped as to why I have no nitrate showing up on the test kit or at my LFS?

Is it possible that its getting absorbed at such a high rate by the algae that it doesnt show up at alarming levels on the test kit?

[bertoni]

Originally posted by Boca Kris
Is it possible that its getting absorbed at such a high rate by the algae that it doesnt show up at alarming levels on the test kit?

Yes, that seems quite common. That's how a refugium works, for example.

[Tonblogna]

I'm just a rookie, but I agree with Bertoni. I believe water changes are very important, however I don't believe it is a viable process to lower nitrates. Identify the problem.

[Boca Kris]

Well, I started gradually decreasing both the amount of time the light stays on, as well as the amount of food I feed the fish. The only other thing I target feed, is my sun coral. I give cyclopeeze every 2-3 days & mysis or brine every few days (with the flow off and just enough to get some into a few of the mouths, the rest is immediately eaten by the fish & pepps).

I also did another 10G water change, so I hope that it really helps since I cant have a sump/refugium setup do to space restrictions.

All the levels were 100% perfect as of last night, with the SG being the only exception. I added some RO with the water change and brought it around. I guess I'll wait and see what happens!

Thanks again for the tips & replies! Any more are always welcome!