Nitrates on the rise

[GobyWanKenobie]

What's a good way to reduce nitrates? My foxface ate all the beneficial macroalgae in my tank. It is an all-in-one RSM 250 so I do not have a sump and cannot easily install any kind of reactor for biopellets.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I'm not super familiar with the setup on those, but is there any way to use an HOB fuge to keep hungry mouths away? Maybe use an acclimation box?

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

I'm not super familiar with the setup on those, but is there any way to use an HOB fuge to keep hungry mouths away? Maybe use an acclimation box?

I thought of the HOB fuge, but then I would need a pump and a light. My tank is in the family room, so noise is a consideration. The acclimation box is a good idea. I tried a net/bag, but he drags it around the tank.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Hahaha I need a video

 

[DylanCameron]

You could just dose a liquid form of carbon, like vodka/vinegar or a mix of both, rather than installing a bio pellet reactor. Will serve the same purpose and is less maintenance/easier to dial in IMO.

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

You could just dose a liquid form of carbon, like vodka/vinegar or a mix of both, rather than installing a bio pellet reactor. Will serve the same purpose and is less maintenance/easier to dial in IMO.

Do you do carbon dosing? The last time I tried vodka (many years ago), I ended up with a cotton candy type algae that was impossible to get rid of. I wonder if I should give it another try. Maybe the foxface will eat that too! He's very efficient. My tank has never been this clean.

 

[DylanCameron]

Do you do carbon dosing? The last time I tried vodka (many years ago), I ended up with a cotton candy type algae that was impossible to get rid of. I wonder if I should give it another try. Maybe the foxface will eat that too! He's very efficient. My tank has never been this clean.

Not currently, but I have in the past. Very important to have a skimmer to increase surface agitation and export some of the bacteria - do you have one on the tank? I know not everyone would put one on a smaller tank like that, but it may be worth it if you’re looking for more ways to export nutrients.

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

Not currently, but I have in the past. Very important to have a skimmer to increase surface agitation and export some of the bacteria - do you have one on the tank? I know not everyone would put one on a smaller tank like that, but it may be worth it if you’re looking for more ways to export nutrients.

The skimmer is built into the back chamber, and I run it for about an hour everyday. If I can't find a way to grow my favorite algae again, I'll try the carbon dosing.

 

[DylanCameron]

The skimmer is built into the back chamber, and I run it for about an hour everyday. If I can't find a way to grow my favorite algae again, I'll try the carbon dosing.

why only an hour a day? My first course of action would be to run the skimmer 24/7 and see how your nutrients react

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

why only an hour a day? My first course of action would be to run the skimmer 24/7 and see how your nutrients react

I don't get a lot of skimmate, and I don't like the noise. My tank was fine until the new fish messed up the balance of things. Maybe my nitrates have always been high. I don't usually test for it, but now that I know, I think I should be proactive. Something is bothering my chalices, and that's the only thing that's off.

 

[drsalomon]

I have found Chaeto under an intense refug light to be the best nitrate reduction. and you can dial the nitrate level by hrs/day on the refug light. I regret having tried to do vodka dosing for so many years stripping my tank too aggressively. Cyano problems.