One thing many people do not realize, or remember is that nitrate (and DOCs
for that matter, along with phosphates) can bind to substrate, as well as be
stored in algaes as reserves. Because we are dealing with a tank that has
had super high levels of ammonia and nitrate, I think they have bound to the
substrate (sand and LR). This means that you actually have a lot more
nitrate in the system as a whole than you realize. Is what happens, is that
when you do a water change, you remove some nitrate, but when you fill the
tank back up with new water, nitrate is released from the substrate into the
water column. Thus, you keep changing water, but it does not seem like the
nitrate is really going down. Not to mention that there is a constant build
up of detritus in the tank which adds to the DOCs and can go directly into
the water column. That allows the nitrates that are bound, to remain that
way.
The goal is to limit the amount of "stuff" going into the tank which are or
will become nitrates, and change enough water that the nitrates release (or
are pulled, actually) from the substrate and enter into the water column
where you can then remove them via a water change. If you change enough
water, you will reach a point where the nitrates bound to the substrate are
barely existent, and so most of your nitrate exists in the water column.
Then, when you do water changes, you are actually removing nitrates from the
system, not just releasing more.
The reason I (and many others) talk about caluerpa in the system, is because
it will actually pull nitrates (as well as DOCs and Phosphates) from the
system and use it as food for energy to grow. You can also cultivate
caluerpa, and by doing so, you completely remove nitrate from the system.
I have a 70 gallon reef, with a 1 inch sand layer (really, just for looks),
a crappy berlin skimmer, and 9 fish (was 10). I feed my fish a lot, daily as
well as my corals being fed once a week, minimum. I have ZERO nitrate. Why?
I think it is because I have a 15 gallon refugium packed with caluerpa.
That, and I do weekly 15-20 gallon water changes.
There is more than one way to do this...but this is what has worked
exceptionally well for me....
FWIW
Shane C.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Hansen [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 10:12 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: need help
Yes it will be a reef tank and I will not ever put that much sand on
the
bottom. I just had a huge problem caused by a deep sand bed and it
was
no more than 2 inches. I will never put more than half an inch to
an
inch of sand back into the aquarium. By huge problem I mean it
killed
several fish, shrimp, snails, hermits, starfish, and lots of little
bugs. Not only that but it has taken about 4 months to clear up
with
doing large water changes. As far as salinity I have no idea what
to
keep it at I have heard as little as 1.021 to 1.028. Also at what
temp
do you need to keep the salinity at 1.025. What does everyone keep
their salinity and temp at?
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Is this going to be a reef tank ?
> Add enough live sand to build a 3 inch layer across the bottom,
nitrates
> will fall to 0 in a few days to a week.
> IF this is going to be a reef tank, I would bring your salinity up
to 1.025,
> over the course of a few days.
>
> Tom
> Reefgar Coralfarms
> ________________________________________
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