My diy nitrate reducer tank

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lukester825

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2007
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Nashville
I added this to my 75 gallon system to lower nitrates in hopes of reducing water changes. Credit goes to Joey821434 as he put one on his plexiglas ray tank, and that's when i decided to put one on my tank.

In my opinion, this was easier than building a scrubber, and it makes a great nusery.

Pics/explanation

CIMG2320.JPG

CIMG2317.JPG

Probably going to switch out the water lettuce for anacharis or javamoss

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Water returned to sump via 50 gph pump, small hose

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Drains back to ten gallon via the diy bulk head

CIMG2312.JPG

Bulkhead diassembled
Gray piece: 1" hose adapter with non tapered threads
Middle PVC: 3/4" to 1" threaded coupling
Top right PVC: 1" to 3/4" slip/threaded coupling
Bottom right: gasket material cut to shape bought
Bottom middle: 3/4" electrical tightening nut? from the electric/lighting dept.
Hose is 1" Inside Diameter


CIMG2313.JPG

Assembled sump wall is squeezed between red gasket and electrical nut

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Ok this seems a little short on explanation,
how is this reducing Nitrates?
IDK how you are going to show this is working
until you can take measurable reading differences
between the display tank and sump

don't mean to be critical, just a student of all things learning
 
ar0wan;4474812; said:
Ok this seems a little short on explanation,
how is this reducing Nitrates?
IDK how you are going to show this is working
until you can take measurable reading differences
between the display tank and sump

don't mean to be critical, just a student of all things learning
Click to expand...

well before i put this on, the nitrates from the tank would range from 20ppm and 40ppm so i believe this to be the reason for the drop in nitrates, as i have even reduced the amount of water i change weekly/monthly.

I'm not sure what you mean in red. The tank, sump, and ten gallon all circulate the same water. I don't think there would be a "measurable" difference in nitrates between sump and main tank ever.
 
lukester825;4474832;4474832 said:
I'm not sure what you mean in red.
Click to expand...
I think the point he was making is that it would be helpful to have before and after numbers as relates not just to Nitrate levels but also to amount and frequency of water changes(before and after). In order to quantify your effort this has to be documented.
 
ok. i wasnt really trying to document this so specifically, i just know that before i put this on nitrates were high and after the number dropped significantly
 
I'm assuming this is a refugium? Plants have an amazing affect on water quality, I'm still shocked so few people are utylizing them. I would suggest using water wisteria as it's a personal favorite, will grow as fast as anacharis, and honestly I hate how anacharis tends to melt randomly, and you'll have to pick up all the leaves everywhere. Other plants that have worked well for me are cambomba, and watermilfoil is pretty attractive in my opinion, and a fast grower as well. I've never tried water lettuce, but if it works keep at it.
 
Yeah refugium is a better name, better than nitrate reducer tank. Thanks for the plant suggestions, I like wisteria and watermilfoil. We'll have to see what the LFS has. The water lettuce did super well at first and now its retreating, not sure why..
 
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