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Silverni2

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If you have a properly set up filtration system is it possible to reduce nitrates without a water change?
For example if your system has a working skimmer,fuge,dsb correct flow is it possible to reduce nitrates from 20ppm to 10ppm without a water change?
 

The_Robert_Loo

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If you have a fuge with macro algae you could lower nitrates with time. Some people carbon dose their tanks get results without water changes. However a combination of everything will most likely be yout best bet if you have high nitrates
 

mbg75

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If you have a properly set up filtration system is it possible to reduce nitrates without a water change?
For example if your system has a working skimmer,fuge,dsb correct flow is it possible to reduce nitrates from 20ppm to 10ppm without a water change?

Fuge with the right lighting can drop it easily.

Good flow, good skimmer, and a proper fuge are the key.

Keep the tank clean..

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 

Silverni2

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Fuge with the right lighting can drop it easily.

Good flow, good skimmer, and a proper fuge are the key.

Keep the tank clean..

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

Mbg75
what would the correct lighting be?
I have a 30g breeder with a dsb calurpa which grows reasonably well chaeto which just survives 20 of live rock and very basic home depot lite, no powerhead or heavy movement actualy very slow flow through the fuge
 

Silverni2

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I don't have a problem with nitrates, I just want to know my system is capable of exporting nitrates on it's own without me doing constant water changes which I do now 1 or 2 times a month.
Thx for the advice!!
 

mbg75

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Mbg75
what would the correct lighting be?
I have a 30g breeder with a dsb calurpa which grows reasonably well chaeto which just survives 20 of live rock and very basic home depot lite, no powerhead or heavy movement actualy very slow flow through the fuge

This bulb from home depot. It's a 5k color.
Also I use cheato. Different cheato's grow at different rates..

http://homedepot.digby.com/homedepot/product/detail.do?itemId=100687002&categoryId=&path=

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 

KathyC

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I don't have a problem with nitrates, I just want to know my system is capable of exporting nitrates on it's own without me doing constant water changes which I do now 1 or 2 times a month.
Thx for the advice!!

...not sure that I would consider water changes of 1 or 2 times a month 'constant'...lol

Now...back to your original question:
If you have a properly set up filtration system is it possible to reduce nitrates without a water change?
For example if your system has a working skimmer,fuge,dsb correct flow is it possible to reduce nitrates from 20ppm to 10ppm without a water change?

As the replies to your question have shown - yes it is possible BUT it seems your goal is to do as few water changes as possible, not simply to reduce nitrates.

You sincerely need to keep in mind that water changes are a necessary part of successful reefkeeping as our tanks NEED all of the minute extra ingredients that are in the salt mix. It isn't only about Ca, Alk & Mg..there are many other trace elements and vitamins in there that our tanks need to thrive, and they DO get used up as time goes by and the only way to replenish them is through water changes.

So even if you have a system that does a great job at exporting nutrients and nitrates, you still do need to do water changes :)
 

duke62

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...not sure that I would consider water changes of 1 or 2 times a month 'constant'...lol

Now...back to your original question:


As the replies to your question have shown - yes it is possible BUT it seems your goal is to do as few water changes as possible, not simply to reduce nitrates.

You sincerely need to keep in mind that water changes are a necessary part of successful reefkeeping as our tanks NEED all of the minute extra ingredients that are in the salt mix. It isn't only about Ca, Alk & Mg..there are many other trace elements and vitamins in there that our tanks need to thrive, and they DO get used up as time goes by and the only way to replenish them is through water changes.

So even if you have a system that does a great job at exporting nutrients and nitrates, you still do need to do water changes :)

great write up kathy ...well stated :)
 

Coralreefer1

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You can reduce nitrates to an extent without performing a water change as mentioned above in previous posts, however, FREQUENT small water changes are, not only beneficial but essential to maintaining optimum overall water parameters! Not only are you dilluting contaminants, pollutants, tannins, nematocyst issues and dissolved organics but you are replenishing those necessary trace elements and buffers that are quicky exhausted through fish respiration, chemical, bioligical and mechanical filtration.

I am so in favor of small, weekly water changes for the best results in any marine aquarium biotope!
Hope this helps! Good luck with your aquarium!
Tom
 

duke62

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i do 2 5gallon changes in my 100 gallon system. it lets me do small changes to the tank without messing around the balance with a larger change. saturdays i will do the harder things in the tank like changing carbon,phosban or killing the shrooms in the tank and cleaning the skimmer and tuesdays i just change out 5 gallons of water without doing any maintainence.
 

Silverni2

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Started this thread sometime ago but I do appreciate the replies! What I've been doing as some have you have suggested is 5 gallon water changes 1 or 2 times a week I also switched to a better quality salt ( more consistently stable in the alk cal and mag) redseapro. My 120 net water volume is very quick and painless when it comes to water changes I miss spoke and sounded lazy about doing water changes if anything my hands are in and around the tank to much!! My nitrates are pretty stable, anywhere from small traces to 20ppm (elos)depending on feeding. Still not sure if my 30 gallon breeder with dsb and various algae is doing anything as far as nitrates but it's only been up 6 months. My dt is looking pretty good my concern is with the lack of color of some corals which I think is being caused by my LEDs but that's for another thread!! Lol
I may go back to metal halides!
Thanks again for all the detailed responses!
 

Coralreefer1

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Macroalgae and a deep sand bed will definitely help to reduce nitrates in your water if you aren't loading up on frozen and liquid foods. Macro algae feeds on the same nutrients as microalgae to help with that aspect and with nitrates as well. A deep sand bed as well as sufficient live rock that is porous further adds to nitrate reduction. The reason being is quite simple. With regards to the nitrogen cycle, as you are well aware of, their are three steps to the cycle...ammonia, nitrites and the last stage, nitrates. Various strains of Nitrosomanas bacteria first convert ammonia to nitrites. Nitrobacter strains of bacteria then oxidize nitrites into the least toxic form of the whole cycle as nitrates. Both forms of these bacteria are aerobic, meaning they require oxyen to survive.
Once these two initial stages have been exhausted, there is a third form of bacteria that is required to complete the cycle ultimately releasing the nitrogen gas into the atmosphere. This is supplied by anaerobic bacteria, which requires very little oxygen to thrive. Hence, the reason for a deep sand bed and deep porous spaces within live rock where oxygen is reduced. These anaerobic forms of bacteria also known as heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria, reduce nitrates into molecular nitrogen to ultimately be released into the atmosphere.
 

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