Nitrate help

jglackin · #1 11/25/2007, 07:51 PM

I have been having some problems getting my nitrates down. My nitrates have been hovering around the 7-8 range. Nothing to freak over, but it is aggravating.

Here is some background and my water parameters over the last few months: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=6

My tank is 4.5 months old, has a DSB and a plenum, I have chaeto, calerpa, and other algae in my fuge and I am running a turf scrubber. My fish bioload in my 225 total volume system is 2 clowns, a blue throat trigger, a hippo tang, a yellow tang, and two blennies. As far as corals, I figure that I am at about 30% of the capacity.

With the turf scrubber, plenum, DSB, and the algae in my fuge, I would think that I would have no NO3 issues. I like to feed heavily, but backed off a few weeks ago and it has had no impact. I checked my water yesterday and the NO3 was at 9. I did a 25% water change last night and today it was at 7.2.

Someone has suggested that I dose vodka. Any thoughts/feedback is welcome. I am at a loss.

Bonebrake · #2 11/25/2007, 10:57 PM

I don't have time to read your full thread you posted, but...

Are you sure your nitrate measurements are accurate?

Test the nitrate level in your RO/DI water and in your tap water to confirm.

jglackin · #3 11/25/2007, 11:05 PM

Yes, I am certain that they are accurate. I am using a Hach Spectrophotometer. I work in a water lab.

Bonebrake · #4 11/25/2007, 11:28 PM

*LOL* That is convenient.

My best suggestions would be to decrease feeding, increase skimming, increase macro algae growth via longer photo-period with stronger light, and do weekly water changes of 15-20% of the total water volume.

My refugium is lit by two 300 watt halogen flood lamps on a reverse photoperiod running 16 hours a day. A nitrate molecule does not stand a chance against my army of Chaetomorpha.