Biological Filter Use

mjasgt · 05-14-2003, 04:07 PM

I have a 75 g reef tank that I have been running an Eheim canister in. I get consistently high nitrate (50 ppm) readings on this tank. I also have a skimmer and about 100 lbs live rock. Can I remove all the filter media and run the Eheim strictly for water movement? Fish load is 3 pygmy angels, three chomis, 1 small tang, niger trigger and spanish hog. A total of about 35 inches. The same tank has a calcium reading over 500, what can I use to lower it or is that OK?

Thanks
mjasgt

Valclore · 05-14-2003, 07:43 PM

What kind of filter media are you using in it? You could put chunks of bio-media in it to improve the bio-load and still use it for water movement. To lower your nitrates try 5-10% water changes weekly until they drop.

You shouldn't have to add any extra calcium supplements just let the fresh saltwater balance out the tank, but keep an eye on the paramenters.

jsaltzgi · 05-15-2003, 07:19 AM

Do you have any other filtration, such as live rock, a deep sand bed, or an algae scrubber? If not, the nitrate is simply the end of the nitrogen cycle in your tank, since aerobic filtration (in the presence of oxygen) such as the Eheim (if I understand you correctly) cannot eliminate nitrates- the bacteria that do so are inhibited or killed by oxygen. If that is the case, water changes are your only option with your current setup, other than adding another type of filtration.

As for the calcium levels, 500 ppm isn't too high, so I'd just not add any more calcium supplements until they level off around 450 ppm or so (or even a little lower if you don't have any stony corals- natural seawater is more like 380 ppm calcium, I think)

Good luck!
James

tendar · 05-15-2003, 08:58 PM

Yes you can remove the bio media in the canister filter but I would only remove 25% per so that the live rock in the tank takes over for what is removed.
Doing 15-20% water changes like once a week will lower the nitrates and removing the media in the canister filter will help alot.
You do have a fair amount of fish in there for a 75 so depending on how much you feed this will be your biggest contibruting factor to high nitrates.
If you have a correst deep sand bed set up it takes a month before they really start to become effective and this will start to lower your nitirates and in a few months you should down to 5 or less nitrates.
Unless this is a coral tank calcium doesnt really matter. If it is a coral tank then is ok but 400-450 is prefered but 500 is livable.

05-14-2003, 04:07 PM	#1
mjasgt Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 7	Biological Filter Use I have a 75 g reef tank that I have been running an Eheim canister in. I get consistently high nitrate (50 ppm) readings on this tank. I also have a skimmer and about 100 lbs live rock. Can I remove all the filter media and run the Eheim strictly for water movement? Fish load is 3 pygmy angels, three chomis, 1 small tang, niger trigger and spanish hog. A total of about 35 inches. The same tank has a calcium reading over 500, what can I use to lower it or is that OK? Thanks mjasgt

05-14-2003, 07:43 PM	#2
Valclore Just Moved In Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 43	What kind of filter media are you using in it? You could put chunks of bio-media in it to improve the bio-load and still use it for water movement. To lower your nitrates try 5-10% water changes weekly until they drop. You shouldn't have to add any extra calcium supplements just let the fresh saltwater balance out the tank, but keep an eye on the paramenters. Last edited by Valclore; 05-14-2003 at 07:46 PM.

05-15-2003, 07:19 AM	#3
jsaltzgi Reef/ SPS Addict Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Columbus,OH,43081 Posts: 144	Do you have any other filtration, such as live rock, a deep sand bed, or an algae scrubber? If not, the nitrate is simply the end of the nitrogen cycle in your tank, since aerobic filtration (in the presence of oxygen) such as the Eheim (if I understand you correctly) cannot eliminate nitrates- the bacteria that do so are inhibited or killed by oxygen. If that is the case, water changes are your only option with your current setup, other than adding another type of filtration. As for the calcium levels, 500 ppm isn't too high, so I'd just not add any more calcium supplements until they level off around 450 ppm or so (or even a little lower if you don't have any stony corals- natural seawater is more like 380 ppm calcium, I think) Good luck! James Last edited by jsaltzgi; 05-15-2003 at 10:54 PM.

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05-15-2003, 08:58 PM	#4
tendar Governor Join Date: May 2000 Location: tempe,AZ Posts: 1,114	Yes you can remove the bio media in the canister filter but I would only remove 25% per so that the live rock in the tank takes over for what is removed. Doing 15-20% water changes like once a week will lower the nitrates and removing the media in the canister filter will help alot. You do have a fair amount of fish in there for a 75 so depending on how much you feed this will be your biggest contibruting factor to high nitrates. If you have a correst deep sand bed set up it takes a month before they really start to become effective and this will start to lower your nitirates and in a few months you should down to 5 or less nitrates. Unless this is a coral tank calcium doesnt really matter. If it is a coral tank then is ok but 400-450 is prefered but 500 is livable.

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