Phosphate & Nitrate probs!! Any suggestions?

[usaco]

Hi ppl,

I've got a major problem with my phosphate (>3ppm) & nitrate (80ppm) levels.

I'm going to do a major water change (30%), clean all the gravels, scrub off all the algae, clean the filters and change the sponges.

I'm also going to put in more live rocks as I've read that it should reduce the nitrate!

Is there anything else I would need to do, other than using any resins?

[Ira]

Sponges and filters? Might I suggest eliminating those? And I hope you have a skimmer.

[cracker]

In this case, 30% is not a big water change.

How old is the setup?

I change 50% monthly as a regular routine.

As long as your routine is well planned the % shouldnt make a difference with effort.

I can do a 180 liter water change in 25 minutes.

with 80ppm N03 you should do an 80% water change.

But first you need to work out why you have N03 this high.

LR is the best way as you said and the more the better. I would suggest at least half the water volume should be filled with LR.

[chimera]

first and foremost, what age is the tank? has it cycled yet?

[Pies]

The formula is around on RC. But if you have 100ppm Nitrate you have to do something like 19 50% water changes to get it below 10ppm, assuming its not going up over that time and you not adding more with the water change.

So a single water change won't help.

Assuming the tanks cycled and not over stocked etc then you should do the following:

1. Keep up water changes 10% minimum every week.

2. Reduce feeding.

3. Check to make sure you skimmer is working, buy a larger skimmer.

4. Increase water circulation in the tank.

5. Remove all the bio ball, filter wool and filter sponges from the tank. If you insist on using them clean or replace ever 2-3 days.

There are other things that can be done too, but thats a healty start.

Tested my Nitrates yesterday 0.0.

Pie