 Re: Refugiums, Macro Algea and Nitrate Reduction
Your ammonia and nitrites are at zero because of the bioballs. *They are excellent for highly stocked FO tanks. *They oxygenate the water and they have so much surface area that they can house tons of bacteria for the first 2 parts of the nitrogen cycle. * The water goes through and the bacteria turns the ammonia into nitrite which is then turned into nitrates. *However, their very nature means they cannot house anaerobic bacteria. *As a result, there is nowhere for the nitrates to go but back to the water column.
In addition, As Matt said, a number of the fish in your list are heavy ammonia producers (and messy eaters). *You are having a problem because of this plus the nitrates from your bioballs. *
The refugium will help keep your nitrates from rising but you might need a bigger refugium or you might need a DSB or you might need to do waterchanges more often or you might need to see which macro's are growing the fastest in your fuge and use more of that macro.
I have personally had much better luck for nutrient export with grape caulerpa even though most people like chaetomorphia because it doesn't go sexual. *
What type of substrate do you have and if it is crushed coral or rough aragonite, when was the last time you vacuumed it? _________ Curt  |