24/7 Drip - Nitrate Levels

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
revo18

revo18

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 22, 2011
97
5
38
USA
I have set up an automatic water change system on my 200 Gallon. Currently, I am flowing 1 GPD and I am seeing about 15 to 20 PPM Nitrate. I realize this may drop with time; however, I was curious to see if anybody had seen a better Nitrate level with a 2 GPD. I'm sure it also is dependent on stocking levels, feeding, and filtration. Right now I have a 75 Gallon sump with bioballs and 2 FX5's with bio/matrix. 2 Stingrays (12" Flower & 6" Leo.) I feed them twice daily, nightcrawlers & shrimp.

Thx.
 
I'm sorry, I did mean 1 GPH. Roughly 24 Gallons per day.

40 to 50 Gallons per day on your 450 Gallon is close to my 24 GPD on my 200 Gallon using this: http://www.angelfish.net/DripSystemcalc.php

How long did it take for your NITRATE levels to drop that significantly?
 
Can't answer your question about how long it will take for your nitrates to drop - or if they even will, but I do have a question/suggestion. Is the new water you're adding circulating into the tank? A lot of times people set up their drip systems and then basically siphon the new water out of the tank, not letting it mix into the old, dirty water.
 
why do you feed so often? Maybe up that to 2 gph. With that stock you shouldnt really have the nitrates that high...your tap water must come out at around 10ppm. WIth that filtration and only 2 rays in the tank...that seems high to me.
 
Thanks. I am dripping into the tank and the overflow in located in the sump. I positioned the drip to flow right behind the out-take of the FX5 so it should push it out into the tank.

Yes, there are zero nitrate in the water dripping into the system.

It may drop, I will continue to monitor the levels. I am going to up the level to 50 gpd in a couple of weeks if I don't see any improvement. (That, and/or redesign my sump/filter.)

Thanks again for the responses.
 
revo18 said:
Thanks. I am dripping into the tank and the overflow in located in the sump. I positioned the drip to flow right behind the out-take of the FX5 so it should push it out into the tank.

Yes, there are zero nitrate in the water dripping into the system.

It may drop, I will continue to monitor the levels. I am going to up the level to 50 gpd in a couple of weeks if I don't see any improvement. (That, and/or redesign my sump/filter.)
Click to expand...

If you don't see an improvement with 50 GPD then look into a new test kit
 
Why trying to get your nitrates down so low? 15 to 20 is a great level imo. I have a very hard time keeping my nitrates below 40

I would say stay where u are at for a while. U dont want to drip too much water either, when i drip too much my rays dont eat as much
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom