Nitrate experiment

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Im actually kinda curious about the Tetra Instant Ocean Nitrate Reducer, does it actually work pretty well???

Im not a big fan of adding chemicals to my tank but if my Nitrates dont go down im considering all of my options.

Has anyone tried the Reducer and had any luck with it???
 
smokeythebair.

no, you will not need to change after each 75g... you change the DI resin when it turns from a blueish color to a golden brown - you will see it creep up as it exhausts.

As for the Sediment filter, change this as you notice a decrease in flow / it change from white to have dark spots on it - you will know

carbon block - id say every 3-6 months?

I hooked my RO/DI unit to the cold water line in the wash room (Florida condo). Go to local hardware store and get a "WYE" valve with ball valves - so you can turn on and off. When I make my RO/DI water I make sure to do it on days Im doing laundry, I just put the waste line in the washer tub and let it fill up ~1hr (FULL load) OR, you can a container and keep the waste / reject water for mixing. That way you wont feel guilty for wasting water. (Im on city water)

Lastly, You will need ~60PSI of pressure. Initially my pressure was ~30psi.. went to ebay and purchased a FLUXTEC 75GPD-100GPD rated pump ~$80... Well worth it
boosted my pressure up to where it needs to be =).

also keep 20 gallons of RO/DI water in a rubbermaid trash can *brute* and scoop it out @ 1gallon at a time into a 5 gal. bucket.

www.bulkreefsupply.com check out their pre-built kits. Yes Its a higher initial cost. But consider long term. Also beats out having to lug from LFS / Store into house.
 
Here you go guy:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/75-gpd-ro-di-4-stage-economy-system.html

Basically same unit I have. Although purchased it from a LFS here - guy makes his own. Although, I suggest getting a Pressure gauge... OR select the 'build your own' options

What you'll need

1micron sediment filter, 1 micron carbon block, 75GPS membrane, DI stage.
Pressure gauge, Flush valve(Flush Kit), Wash room tub 1/4 adapter.
 
While plants grow at the maximum if you take care of light, co2, and nutrients fast growing plants will grow quicker regardless. If you have hornwort compared with an amazon sword plant it's obvious that regardless of the water conditions each is in the hornwort will grow quicker. I'm just trying to let the op know that putting one terrestrial plant like pothos in my tank has never lowered my nitrates. However adding tons of fast growing aquatic plants like hornwort/wisteria/cabomba has had significant results in my water quality.
 
indeed.

Although, need to also consider the op's original problem - his tap water has high nitrates (correct?)

If so, there is probably an underlying issue with his water source, If its city water - i suggest reporting this.

Do you have a water softener system, under the sink RO Unit?
 
Ty. No i have well water not city. I don't have a softner hooked up. Thank you very much for your input and i will try to do that. i also want to make my 55g community tank a planted aquarium because i like the looks and would like to see the results in the water quality. I don't think i could get away with doing my cichlid tank with plants because i think they would dig them all up.
 
After about two weeks im finally seeing some results in the planted aquarium. I did a wc about two days ago, and now have a total of 6 plants. One pothos on top and all the other plants are aquarium plants. Im going to wait about 5 days and test again this friday. My nitrates are at about 40 now so this friday i would think they would be about 15 or 20
 
I have a alot of plants now in my one tank should i take the carbon out of the filters?? Does carbon affect anything the plants need or is it just for smell and clean water?
 
smokeythebair;4842406; said:
After about two weeks im finally seeing some results in the planted aquarium. I did a wc about two days ago, and now have a total of 6 plants. One pothos on top and all the other plants are aquarium plants. Im going to wait about 5 days and test again this friday. My nitrates are at about 40 now so this friday i would think they would be about 15 or 20
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If your nitrAtes are this high, you need to do a water change anyway. That's too high, and you don't want to take a gamble on your fish's health just because you are trying something new :)
 
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