HELP! Nitrates!

How often do you change the filter media and what kind are you using. also, Did that Penguin come with the little wheels on the front? If yes, take those off. They supposedly are nitrate factory's. I used to use an Emperor, which is pretty much the same filter and took mine off. Can't remember if the nitrates went down, but it won't hurt.

 

How often do you clean out the filter? If its in your budget and space, I do recommend a sump and a skimmer. A refugium would be even better, but whatever you can get. How are the rest of your parameters?


Luna

 

What is a filter media? I took out the wheel in the front of the filter......

I clean my filter about once a week but just the sponge inside that filter....

Sump or Skimmer got it, I will see how much those costs but im really low in budget... do you think a water change without disturbing any sand or rock will help?

 

oh Sorry all ther parameters are ok!

Ammonia - 0
PH - 8.4
Nitrite: 0

 

We had this discussion the other day. I personaly always syphon my sand bed everytime I do a WC. I have not found any evidence that cleaning the sand bed causes a NO3 spike, at least with my system. A WC is only a "band-aid" fix, you need to find whats causing it.

Filter-media is a sponge or a pad that catches debris coming into the filter.

What about your SG(salt)? Luna

 

Salt is at 32 or 1.024 specific gravity....


If I add Bacteria to the water will it help kill the nitrate?

 

What kind of "bacteria" are you talking about? Luna

 

BTW, how much food are you giving and how often? Luna

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/helpful-tips-60778.html

 

NitroMAX Marine.... I bought it when I first started my tank, my LFS told me that it will help cycle the tank, I stopped using it for a while though but wondering after reading a few threads if I add the bacteria if it will help kill the nitrates.

its 2 little bottles, one is bacteria and the other is an oxy-boost.