Nitrate factory in my 12g AP? (3rd chamber rumors? or facts)

[cabbage0709]

So ive heard stories that the bottom chamber (actually the 3rd but it runs under 1 and 2) can be a dead zone for flow and can produce quite a bit of trates to be pumped throughout your system.

Im my tank ive had 2 fish just disappear. Whether they were consumed by my flesh eating cleaner crew or not, i dont know, but if the possibility of them jumping out into one of my chambers is there (which it is from the 1/2 inch space between the light diffuser and hood) then i want to be sure that their carcuses arent just rotting back there pumping out toxic crap. Also id like to just make sure that im not breeding some crazy nitrate monster thatll eat my tank up.

What im wondering is - is there any way to keep the bottom chamber in Aquapods clean and not like "dead-zone-ish"? Ive only been able to get my hand about a hands length into the chamber.

Right now all i have is a bunch of rubble stuffed in there along with my MJ900 and some more rubble on top of that. Just wondering what i can do!

Thanks!

-Sven

[cabbage0709]

Plenty of looks, no advice. Anyone?

[gregrocks79]

I have a NC 12 and there is no "dead zone" that I know of that is! haha

Had mine set up for a while and shes doin fine.

[Mini Me6]

I also have an AP12. Just recently my Pseudo jumped into the first section of my overflow. I was able to fish it out with a small net.

In fact, I am able to get mey small net into every section. Every month I make it my routine to dip my net/turkey baster and stir up any organics.

Your correct, if left unchecked, organics can collect and disrupt your parameters.

[socalchris]

i siphon stuff out of there when i do waterchanges...i've seen no increase in nitrates...

[mfp1016]

Yes siphon out all detritus from the return pump compartment. Also, what year is your AP 12? I've never heard of one with a 3rd chamber compartment underneath the other two.

[LaurentSeattle]

Originally posted by cabbage0709
Plenty of looks, no advice. Anyone?

Probably because you are asking the wrong question...

There is NO such thing as "nitrate factories".

You might have for some reason (overfeeding, excessive bioload for example) too much of organics in the tank. Then, the bio-filter is just doing its job: transforming those into nitrates. And when there is too much, the live rock cannot handle it.

[racksteris]

Originally posted by mfp1016
Yes siphon out all detritus from the return pump compartment. Also, what year is your AP 12? I've never heard of one with a 3rd chamber compartment underneath the other two.

There is a chamber underneath the first 2 chamber. The first 2 chamber don't go all the way to the bottom of the tank, there a 3'' space. If you block the bottom intake, detritus will build up there. I know because I removed the false wall from my AquaPod 12Gal.

[breebauer]

Originally posted by racksteris
There is a chamber underneath the first 2 chamber. The first 2 chamber don't go all the way to the bottom of the tank, there a 3'' space. If you block the bottom intake, detritus will build up there. I know because I removed the false wall from my AquaPod 12Gal.

So, is it better to leave the sponge in there?

I was under the impression that the sponge was a place for nitrates to build up.

I have the bottom intake blocked with a cd case, and a bag of chemipure at the bottom, and a heater in the first chamber.

Now I'm wondering if I should unblock the bottom chamber and put the sponge back in...

[thin crust]

i would leave the 2 extra intake blocked. here's how my chambers are set up.

chamber 1 - live rock rubble filled to 2 inches under top overflow. filter floss on top of the LRR.

chamber 2 - cheato with submersible light

chamber 3 - chemipure elite and ato float switch

chamber 4 - heater and return pump.

if you don't overfeed and vaccum out the 4th chamber often then i think you'll be okay.

HTH

[racksteris]

Like what thin crust said.. ''if you don't overfeed and vaccum out the 4th chamber often then i think you'll be okay. ''