How to Lower Nitrates in a Reef Tank

Tommy Schnezler Says:

Mar 31, 2012 - how big is ur tank?

thecarter348 Says:

Apr 5, 2012 - 110 gallon

thecarter348 Says:

May 9, 2012 - Okay, I understand I pronounced DETRITUS wrong. I have never heard anyone say it before I did the video I've only seen it spelled out so pardon me...

JimmY McLovin Says:

May 19, 2012 - Ok bare bottom tanks bur fish and corals , the light bounces from the bottom of the glass its like putting ants in a cup in the sun , Sand beds remove nitrate's also once the tanks has cycled i wouldnt lisen to anyone until u have read alot AND ALOT AND ALOT NPX bio ruducing balls in a two little fishies Phosban Reactor will do alot and no water changes for months even some guys years ! Your live rock will remove bio logical matter as well , a 4 inch sand bed will do it even better

LetsTalkReef Says:

May 25, 2012 - Informative video! Be sure to create a free profile at LetsTalkReefdotcom and upload some more videos.

ekgdesigns11 Says:

Jun 3, 2012 - Thanks this was pretty useful information, I have a 34 gallon solana and don't like the all on 1 system in the back so Im trading my roomate for his 75 gallon, also getting a sump for it and prob get another aqua illumination led light to add to the one I have for the solana. But since I've had this system I've have nothing but high nitrates and from doing constant water changes I've seen that the nitrates haven't lowered. Now when I setup the 75 I'm doing a bb and a sand bed in the sump.

ekgdesigns11 Says:

Jun 3, 2012 - With chaeto, soo whatcha think fellow reefers? I could use all the help I can get . Thanks again for the info especially about bb tanks

cockings82 Says:

Jul 7, 2012 - its all about using the correct amount of nutrient export to counter act your nutrient import. it can be obtained through a good biological, mechanical or a mix of both. i dont agree with feeding every other day unless you using it short term to reduce nutrients levels. if you monitor.your.levels you can adjust your export accroding to that. i suggest a standard mix of at least a refugium and a skimmer and add from there.

cockings82 Says:

Jul 7, 2012 - this will give you more tjan just filtration ad the refugium will support and help stabilise your tanks biotope through being a breeding ground for pod life

thecarter348 Says:

Jul 17, 2012 - You don't want to add a refugium. It is one of the most commonly misunderstood concepts in reef keeping. A refug is nothing but a detritus trap. Run barebottom sump, and a good skimmer and that's ALL you need. Siphon detritus each water change and vacuum sandbed if you have one. Run Macro algae such as chaeto if you still can't get your nutrients down. Don't waste your time with a REFUGIUM

2019freddie Says:

Jul 19, 2012 - fuges are definately not a waste of time! your tank is not cool with no sand.

elF3RCH0 Says:

Jul 23, 2012 - I like your tank, but it would look better with a sand bed. Its not so hard, dont be afraid of giving your tank one

ruffoj926 Says:

Jul 29, 2012 - With proper flow, a sand bed will stay clean by itself and should never be touched.

MyCockatielScreams Says:

Aug 10, 2012 - Your tank would look so much prettier with a sand bed

thecarter348 Says:

Aug 12, 2012 - Thanks, I actually have a sandbed in my tank now. I may do a video update tomorrow. Lots more stuff than in this video

iczerone2000 Says:

Aug 26, 2012 - Do you even know what you are talking about? I think you need to do alot more research about sand beds and refugiums before saying "You don't want to add a refugium. It is one of the most commonly misunderstood concepts in reef keeping" All I can say is that, your the one that misunderstands the concepts in reef keeping! By the way, just for your info! I haven't changed the water in my tank for over six months now, and my nitrates and phosphates are still at zero! DO SOME MORE RESEARCH!!

bidderr000 Says:

Sep 2, 2012 - Carry on smoking the weed. AND STOP GIVING ADVICE ON SHIT YOU KNOW SHIT ABOUT.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS Says:

Dec 13, 2012 - what a load of shite 

Randol Taveras Says:

Dec 21, 2012 - I personally would NOT reccomend siphoning sand. If you siphon your sand bed your are killing all those Anaerobic bacteria and critters and they will just rot in your sand, possibly causing Hydrogen Sulphide, and by killing those Anaerobic bacteria you are killing the one thing that actually reduces nitrates

john thompson Says:

Feb 8, 2013 - i have definitely heard from some very high authorities in reefkeeping that a refug. is just a pain in the A, and many high end aquarists dont worry about doing them because they are not worth the trouble. not to say that they dont help some

bewmorg Says:

Feb 11, 2013 - Guess where you 'run macro algae' ? You 'run' it in a.. REFUGIUM. Refugium is a 'refuge' for chaeto or other macro to sit in, can be part of your sump that already has your skimmer in it. In general there shouldn't be much phos or nitrate if you are bb and running high flow. I'm thinking about going bb as the sand is becoming a nitrate trap in my tank.

TheFishTank Doc. Says:

May 8, 2013 - You are 100% right about not using a refugium. Most people now know that long term it will be bad for your tank. Mr saltwater tank's 8 ft 300g, has no refugium.

TheFishTank Doc. Says:

May 8, 2013 - Yes refugiums are!!!.

TheFishTank Doc. Says:

May 8, 2013 - If you had done your resurch, you would know that long term refugiums are bad for your tank.