Nitrates

[bobby2400]

I know there a a thousand posts on nitrates but, here it goes..
I have had my tank set-up for a year and for the last 2 months my nitrates have been running around 20-30. I have been doing weekly water changes and it doesn't seem to help. I have been contiplating increasing my sand bed it is only about 1.5 inches now. Also I am running an outside whisper 2 filter with Bio-bags...should I remove them. I currently have about 20 pounds of L.R. All other water params are good. Any suggestions???????



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29H 15 pounds L.R. 2-Urchins,3 Scarlet Hermits, 2 Yellow Tail Damsels,2-Blue Hermits.
110 Watts P.C. 50/50 coming soon:skimmer,more L.R........

[dagnir]

It is a possiblility that the bio-bags are the source. My first step would be to get a protein skimmer. You need to remove the waste before it gets broken down by the bacteria. And that is what the skimmer does. Less waste for the aerobic bacteria means less of their biproduct, nitrate. Hope this helps.

[tendar]

Removal of the Bioballs will help but remove them slowly like a 1/4 at a time once a week.
Adding another 2" of oolite sand will also help in creating a deep sand bed.
More live rock will also help expecially with the removal of the Bio Balls.
I Protein skimmer would also be helpfull.
When you upgrade you lights you will have a algea out break more than likely and a protien skimmer will help that also.

[Wrassman]

All good answers, I'll just echo them.

More sand will definitely help. You don't have enough for the denitrification process to really get started. A little more live rock wouldn't hurt either. Live rock is another great source of denitrifying bacteria.

By all means, get yourself a skimmer. In my humble opinion, they are one of the most important pieces of equipment a SW aquarist has. Without my skimmer, I'd be lost. I know they are expensive, but they will pay for themselves three times over in the long run, with corals and fish they've helped save from slow nitrate poisoning.

I hope this helps.