Dumb theory on why my nitrates are so high ....please help !

[zennzzo]

Heavy Bio-load,
& slack filtration is always an order for disaster...
kinda like flushing the toilet every 10th time used...
good for one ...
crap for 9

all the chemicals in the DuPonts pantry, won't make it better...

 

[RadleyMiller]

So I have been frustrated with my nitrate reading for the past 4-5 months. My problem is keeping it down. I have tried Seachem purigen, which brought nitrates down to 20-40 ppm, but it spiked back up to over 80-100 ppm within 3-4 days.

I do have a lot of bio load on 100 gallon tank with 2 Rena XP3 and 1 Emperor 400. I maintain 50 % water changes weeklymake it twice weekly in which I have tested the Nitrates after every single WC and I get about 60 ppm and spiked back up to 100 ppm within 2-3 days.

So I thought, it's the damn gravel bed...too thick and it's a breeding ground for bacteria...yea, good bacteria the break down ammonia and nitrItes

I took all the gravel bed, simpel flush and lay down about 1/4" - 1/2" of gravel versus 3" I had before.

I tested my nitrates and it's still at 80-100 PPM. I dohave some plants, not very muchget more plants

At this point, I am stumbled and came up with a dumb theory IMO.

Since I have a tight glass lid to keep my Aro and CK from jumping,

COULD IT BE THAT BY HAVING A GLASS LID, I AM NOT ALLOWING NITRATES TO BREATHE ? therefore it's sat around the tank for a long time ?
nitrates are ions, not organism. it is anaerobic bacteria the break down nitrates into N2 gas. Usually only the breakdown of this type occurs in saltwater tanks with a DSB (deep sand bed) or inside of the live rock, where anaerobic bacteria can thrive.

I know this may be dumb, but I am running out of option. my fish seems to be normal in behaviour but they don't grow as quick as they were before which is a good indication that they're surviving rather than thriving.

Thanks

Stan

my best advice would to constantly use Purigen, use one bag in the tank now and then when it is recharging, use another bag, up your water changes, and decrease your bioload

 

[RadleyMiller]

i didn't read the whole post, but if his ammonia and nitrites are at zero, then a drip system would be perfect. the aerobic biofilter is dealing with that, it is just he has not denitrifying bacteria to break down nitrates or enough plants to absorb them.

 

[Dr Joe]

i didn't read the whole post, but if his ammonia and nitrites are at zero, then a drip system would be perfect. the aerobic biofilter is dealing with that, it is just he has not denitrifying bacteria to break down nitrates or enough plants to absorb them.

 

[Dr Joe]

Howdy,

You should either think about getting a bigger tank or install a drip system... the lid has nothing to do with it.
HarleyK

If top is tight, there won't be a good air flow accross the water for gas / oxygen exchange complicating things even more (even with a sump).

We need to come up with a universal drip system with the drain hooked to a humidifier to get rid of the overflow. Mold on the walls is just like algae in a tank right? No harm...

Dr Joe

.

 

[RadleyMiller]

i meant thread. I didn't read the whole thread where he responded with his nitrite and ammonia readings! jeez haha I read what he first posted and then responded. Sorry

 

[DeLgAdO]

Mold on the walls is just like algae in a tank right? No harm...

Dr Joe

.

mold on the wall is harmful

When inhaled, mold spores may germinate, attaching to cells along the respiratory tract and causing problems in those with weak immune systems. Some spores release potent toxins; for example, Stachybotrys spores can cause very severe symptoms and lung lesions in children. Mold spores are also important allergens.

algae is harmless though

 

[DeLgAdO]

If top is tight, there won't be a good air flow accross the water for gas / oxygen exchange complicating things even more (even with a sump).

wait but what does that have to do with nitrate?

 

[RadleyMiller]

exactly, the bacteria that break down nitrates are obligate anaerobes, they can't live in oxygen which is why they are found in anoxic conditions and not usually in fish tanks!

 

[flamenco-t]

Sorry I haven't responded in a while.

My filtration system consist of:

2 Rena XP3 Canister Filter
1 Emperor HOB 400

I am doing a wet dry this weekend and eliminating 1 of the XP3 and the HOB.

I know I have too much livestock. I am setting up a second tank for the CK, blood parrots and 2 plecos. I don't have room for a big 280 or 300 gallon at the moment, but I am looking for a house I love them all and will never get rid of any of them.

Feeding is reduced to once eery 3 days now and eventually once every 4 days. Doing it gradually to reduce change in pattern to the fish.

2 WC at 30-45 % weekly is being done. Just got the second one for this week done.

So at this point I know the lid has nothing to do with nitrate being high. I am constantly running purigen.

I'll keep you guys posted on the status of nitrate.


stan