Finding nitrates

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Proteus

Nitrates have been steady, no noticeable fluctuations, I did add a healthy size cuc to the rock bin to see if that helped with detritus.
And yes just trying to find the difference from other tanks as rock payment is only difference.
Currently using a red sea test kit. But I'll get a salifert to check also. I have had the red sea for 6/8 months and know they break down once opened

Most CUC will not consume detritus. Do you do weekly water changes or bi-weekly filter sock changes? If so, you could turkey baste the rock at these times and help to keep it cleaner. Or if it becomes a problem you could remove the rock.

Originally Posted by reefwars

well i supposed you MUST be right then

Yes. Thank you for admitting this - though it's not about who is correct, rather which is correct.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by Myka

Most CUC will not consume detritus. Do you do weekly water changes or bi-weekly filter sock changes? If so, you could turkey baste the rock at these times and help to keep it cleaner. Or if it becomes a problem you could remove the rock.

I change filter socks every three days and biweekly water change, the rock has alot of upward flow

[warriorcookie]

Originally Posted by Proteus

I change filter socks every three days and biweekly water change, the rock has alot of upward flow

I never used to do this until someone showed me. Whenever I do a waterchange now I grab a powerhead and blow all my rocks and corals and stir up as much crap as possible. Then I do the water change. Then I let the tank run over-night and change the filter floss/socks first thing next morning.

Doing this has made a huge impact on keeping my nitrates to a reasonable level.

[reefwars]

maybe this will help nick?


http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30366

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by warriorcookie

I never used to do this until someone showed me. Whenever I do a waterchange now I grab a powerhead and blow all my rocks and corals and stir up as much crap as possible. Then I do the water change. Then I let the tank run over-night and change the filter floss/socks first thing next morning.

Doing this has made a huge impact on keeping my nitrates to a reasonable level.

My other tank which has rock in dt I do blow off with turkey baster but this tank all the rock is in bin. Blowing off doesn't work as well.

Originally Posted by reefwars

maybe this will help nick?


http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30366

Thanks Denny I would never guessed nitrates in zeo start.
I do surf the zeo forum and never saw this thread. Good read

[Myka]

When carbon dosing, the bacteria use both NO3 and PO4. The system will usually get to "0" NO3 and still have remaining PO4 because the bacteria use many more times the NO3 than the PO4. Some people claim the Redfield Ratios, but others say that is not quite correct. Point being, you need both in the system in order for them to lower. This is why a lot of people who carbon dose with VSV or biopellets will still use GFO. If you use ZeoStart, you're not supposed to use GFO as they use the opposite theory - instead of removing remaining PO4, add NO3 so that PO4 (and the NO3 you added) can be lowered by the bacteria. What is in that reactor in your sump? Is it GFO?

There's a few possibilities here regarding the rock in the sump, the GFO (if that's what it is), and inaccurate testing. Essentially, if you like how the tank is looking, leave well enough alone.

[Proteus]

It is gfo.. I pulled the zeo rocks and went to gfo as the system was being stripped to the point acros were really pale.
The fauna system operates off the same idea, running ultra phos. With the carbon dosing.
From what I remember the red field ratio is 7:1

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Myka

Yes. Thank you for admitting this - though it's not about who is correct, rather which is correct.

lol tell that to my wife lol