Live rock = no nitrate ?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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squirt2005

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 10, 2007
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My 20 gallon tank houses 25# live rock and 10# reef rock. The flow in the tank is 350 gallons per hour. I've only 2 yellow tailed damsels, 1 mushroom coral and hermit crabs. I've got an internal skimmer that uses a maxi jet.
My concern is that I wanted a setup that eliminates nitrate ( hence all the live rock) but I don't see it coming down yet and it's 2 months now. Do I need
more water movement? I do regular 10-15% changes ea. week. It et doesn't
get above 15ppm but it's not good enough.
 
Liverock is not going to eliminate nitrate. If anything it is more likely to be a source of what nitrates you might have. To lower nitrates, keep your skimmer cup clean and maybe get a bigger/better skimmer.
 
skimmer water changes and a fuge thick n full with caulpera and a deep sand bed + a denitrator and it never hursts to have a fbf
 
I would suggest a better skimmer too....

As as side note....Lots of live rock, when used in conjunction with a proper deep sand bed, 8 inches or more, can in fact remove nitrates, its the natural operation de-nitrification. In practice, this is something which does take a lot of work.Hence, why we go down the route of using a skimmer to aid in the process..

If you would like, please read more here...

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm
 
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