CPR AquaFuge Medium with 180g

emiliosf · 08-13-2005, 06:55 PM

I just want to remove nitrates, what should I add to this refugium to accomplish this dimension are 19 x 12 x 5 pretty small for my tank, but it has only one job, remove nitrates will this help and what do I put in it?

Birdlady · 08-13-2005, 08:18 PM

I am not quite sure that would be big enough to handle the large tank you have...

You could put a DSB and macro algae..but your tank is pretty big. What is your nitrate level?

Have you considered a coiled denitrator?

emiliosf · 08-14-2005, 03:32 AM

I just bought a sulphur denitrator, still building bacteria in chamber (1-1/2 weeks) to really become effective yet though, tested water out of that system at 1 drop per second and nitrates are at 0, but if i speed it up it begin to rise to about 15. I have a 50-60ppm in the tank right now (lot of water changes right now). I am slightly overstocked for a reef tank, my corals are taking a beating, but fish seem ok, I thinking a 2 part approach to problem, refugium with primarily mangoves (3 or 4) with 1 inch mud and 2 inch Live sand and rubble rock rock, plus the denitrator, once I get the denitrator running more effectively I'll add other algaes to the refugium to feed tank since they would probably die with nitartes at current levels, I understand mangoves really love nitrates.

My tank is about 8 months old, I have about 360 - 380 lbs of rock, and about 2"-3" inch sand bed.

Jay · 08-14-2005, 04:17 AM

You could just add another 2-3 inches of sand to your tank. That would make the livesand in your tank a DSB and that would take care of your nitrates.

Jay

Birdlady · 08-14-2005, 11:33 AM

Sand bed should be at least 4 inches for nitrate reduction. I personally don't like all that sand in my tank...I have it in a refugium as well. I dont' think the nitrates are harmful to macros, and mangroves are slow removers, tho I think they look nice

Once your dentitrator catches up, you should be fine. Feed less if possible...I feed twice per week