Best way to remove nitrates without water changes?

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Miguel4u2

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 1, 2009
596
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New York
Hey guys, i have currently only seen to ways of removing nitrates without having to do water changes. Using live plants or a DIY filter here: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385&highlight=diy+light

Which one do you think will be most affective? Do you think i can get away without doing water changes? please tell me any other methods of removing nitrates. Its just back breaking, especially because i have a sump and have to turn it off.
 
Seriously? You would need a heavily planted tank to keep nitrates under control. With filters I don't think any are efficient enough to keep the levels desirable. So you are stuck doing water changes. You can also keep your stocking levels low and remove as much particle waste from the water column as you can before it's breaks down into ammonia.

One thing you may look into is an auto water changer or drip system.

Have you gottne your ammonia problem corrected?
 
Do you think having both Plants and the filter work? If not i will still get the live plants b/c i always wanted them and i will need to get a python, those things are a miracle 8).
Thanks.
 
Miguel4u2;3382941; said:
Do you think having both Plants and the filter work? If not i will still get the live plants b/c i always wanted them and i will need to get a python, those things are a miracle 8).
Thanks.
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Plants will not do well with your current stock.
 
With my filter, the algea grows on the floss, so it is as if I have both. You just need to find what system works best for you.
 
Kogo;3382928; said:
This is what I have on my 220g and I have 0 nitrates, but I still recomend water changes to replenish trace elements.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153346

the algea scrubber should work as well. My filter works best when the filter pad is covered in algea.
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WOW! Great idea, but my sump is to small to get enough plants in there. Its 24" long but its a wet dry so most space is taken by the bio balls. I will put plants in the tank,hopefully that will reduce the amount of nitrates.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I am off to get a 20 long to make a new sump:D, as for the plants, i will try some out and see how it goes in the main tank.
 
Is it true that land plants absorb nitrates? I have heard several times but have never seen evidence proving the statement. Despite this fact, I have land plants that root off into my tank .
 
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