So you think doing the change will get rid of the nitrates??
-
Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
Kids got the itch back...
- Thread starter NJ Strong88
- Start date
well it will get rid of a % yes. you wont get it down to zero by just doing WCs. but you can get it to a reasonable level to start adding things.
to get to 0 youll need a fuge or biopellets or some form of nutrient export, but absolute zero isn't technically needed. just get it lower.
59% water change done. Picked up a bag from fluval that traps nitrates amd threw that in the AC filter after the change. We'll see how that goes and ill test in a few days. Regular changes for me will only be 2 gallons.
*50% change done. I tested the nitrates bc I was interested to know if anything changed. Just like clock work...160 ppm. Idk...its just frustrating to see. I thought it would be down a little. I can't add anything with the nitrates that high.
This sponge that I was told to put back in...could this be holding in the nitrates?? I'm not trying to act like I know everything, but I've had the nitrates for a long time and they are higher than anything I've researched. Can I have some thoughts please?
API. I think ill take some of my water to trop when I go wednesday. This is just plain frustrating. They shouldn't be that high after a 50% change.
Reason I asked is because the Red Sea kits I used to have had a high and a low reading. To get the high reading tank water would be diluted with rodi water prior to the test. I don't think the API kit is this way though. Have you cleaned the sponge at all?
No I haven't recently. I just read something interesting that suggests completely removing the HOB and letting the rock do its thing along with the powerheads. I think I may do this because of the amount of gunk that's in the filter.
I would suggest rinsing the sponge every few days. If you want take it out and just use the filter to run carbon and gfo. I personally would keep it and just make sure I kept it cleaned every few days. Also check inside the filter itself and see if there is any trapped debris in it. If there is clean that out as well. Hope some of this helps
Totally agree.
Okay. Just rinsed the filter out and took out part of the sponge and left one piece in...it was divided up in 3 pieces. Put the nitrate remover...carbon and sponge back in. Switched out one powerbead for a K1. The only thing that's a pain with this AC filter is sand is ALWAYS getting in the propeller and it makes a grinding noise every once in awhile. Very annoying. How often should I clean the filter out? I'm going to take a sample of my water to trop either way wedneaday. This grinding noise is my problem right now.
I can honestly say I haven't stopped with this tank today. The intake tube was way to close to the sand. I just found my marineland filter so I was able to attach the intake head onto the tube of the AC. Seems okay. Btw...is it normal for the powerheads to be moving the sand? Its not causing a storm, but you can see the sand being pushed along the bottom
just an updated tank shot. moved the powerheads so the sand isn't moving now. Its the best I can do for now.
I would clean the sponge every few days And change your carbon about once a month. It's perfectly normal for the sand to be pushed around a bit by the flow coming from the power heads. Have you by any chance tested the water you are buying?
I have not. I have to get water from trop when I go there so when I get home Ill do just that. I got a lot of great info today and I'm very grateful for that. I'm hoping more read this so I can have different perspectives as well. Another question...since the nitrates have been so high, is the cycle over?
I'm gonna say yes. But I would suggest to get those nitrates to a more suitable level for livestock.
Yes sir...that is my goal.Anything else I can do to get them lower?
The aquaclear filter has gotta go. I won't do a canister because I've had really bad problems with them in the past. I've got to find a HOB filter that the sand isn't going to kill the propeller.