Help Keeping A Successful Tank

[TORX]

Well Alpha won't do anything for nitrates. The Matrix is supposed to work but from what I read it is mixed reviews. It is basically just porous material that adds more biological filtration. Have you looked into a algae scrubber or biopellets?

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[Kjmsmith]

Im not one to jump into discussions on H2O parameters as there are much smarter people than me on here but while the nitrate is high, isnt the bigger issue with the alkalinity and salinity? If alk is 4 meq/l, isnt that on the high end but if it is reading it as 4 KH then its way too low. For salinity, 0.23 is way too low isnt it? I keep mine at 1.026 which equals apx .35 or am I missing something? Nitrates are high but mine have run that high for years and have never been able to lower them but everything thrives....

 

[Zombiex]

Never thought about algae scrubber or bio pellets. Honestly dont even know what they do.

 

[TORX]

Never thought about algae scrubber or bio pellets. Honestly dont even know what they do.

They lower nitrates.

LoL. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Algae scrubber grows algae that consumes phosphates and nitrates.

Biopellets promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in a reactor and that bacteria reduced nitrates.

Both are fairly maintenance free once set up.

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[Zombiex]

Ya i deserved that one. I will have to do some research and see what will fit my setup best

 

[TORX]

Ya i deserved that one. I will have to do some research and see what will fit my setup best

Great call. I personally love biopellets in my BioChurn 120r reactor. I never really need to do anything other then add pellets ever 4-6 weeks. Keeps my nitrates at almost 0

 

[Zombiex]

Im thinking going to go the reactor route. Would you recommend running a dual and running something with it?

 

[TORX]

Im thinking going to go the reactor route. Would you recommend running a dual and running something with it?

Not a dual with biopellets. You should use one specifically for biopellets. A TLF150 can be used but has to be modified to run pellets properly.

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[Zombiex]

Ok i seen that when doing some research. I messaged ian to see if he has anything in stock. Appreciate everyones advice. Honestly if it wasn't for this forum and people in it i would have likely given up by now.

 

[Tim A]

@reefdiver is great! He doesn’t know it yet, but i am coming to see him tomorrow lol

 

[Zombiex]

Yes hes definitely a great asset to the hobby. Iam very careful and picky about where and who i gey my products from and he is by far one of my favorites.

 

[derrick orosz]

Gfo?

 

[TORX]

Gfo?

GFO or Granulate Ferric Oxide is used to reduce phosphates typically and removes little to no nitrates. On that note it is a good thought as, one of the issues could be the ultra low phosphates. If he is using GFO and the number is truly 0.000, then there is no phosphates to eat the nitrates. There is a symbiosis between the 2.

 

[Zombiex]

Not running any reactors. Just a sump skimmer and refgium with cheato.

 

[Painter Steve]

I use Matrix in a mesh bag in my sump along with some Cheato in the refugium and my nitrates & Phos are almost too low. Corals do need some Nitrates and Phos in the tank but the trick is to find that fine line where things are thriving & happy and then keep those numbers stable.

 

[Zombiex]

@TORX bit the bullet and bought a bashsea reactor today. Do i need to run it with another pump or am i able to T Into my return for the in let then dump return back into sump?

 

[TORX]

@TORX bit the bullet and bought a bashsea reactor today. Do i need to run it with another pump or am i able to T Into my return for the in let then dump return back into sump?

That depends if your return pump can handle it. I used to run reactors off my return pump. I prefer to have them on their own pump personally so that the reactors do not shut down during feed mode and maintenance etc. It less time they are off the better IMHO.

 

[Zombiex]

Ok makes sence. Pumps probally cheaper then cutting apart my plumbing anyway. I run a mag drive 9 I belive. There a pump you would suggest?

 

[TORX]

Ok makes sence. Pumps probally cheaper then cutting apart my plumbing anyway. I run a mag drive 9 I belive. There a pump you would suggest?

That depends on the media and how much. Typically a MJ1200 is more then enough to run 2 cups of GFO, which is a lot of GFO. Be sure to have a valve on the reactors input to control flow into it.

 

[Zombiex]

Ok thanks for help hopefully i can get rhos going and fix this issue. I appreciate the help.