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View Full Version : Newbie idea for reducing nitrate/ recycling saltwater


fenrizwolf
08/02/2016, 11:07 AM
Hey, so I had this idea in my head after a reefer talked about having a huge refugium for chaeto to reduce nutrients. Is it possible to do a water change and put the water into say a 55 gallon tank or container with a light filled with that algae, then later take that water and reuse it in your tank as nitrate reduced water?

Obviously I'm new and I understand if that's not how that works. But good idea or no?

ReefsandGeeks
08/02/2016, 11:24 AM
Water changes do a lot more than reduce Nitrates. They replenish elements that have been used up, and export those that have been built up. If you wanted to use a large refugium for nitrate reduction, it would make more sense just to plumb it directly into your sump, and have continuous denitrification.

If you're having issues with Nitrate, you can also research carbon dosing/vodka dosing. That's my current metod and works great for me, keeping nitrates at near 0 with no refugium. Both methods have their plusses and minuses.

fenrizwolf
08/02/2016, 01:38 PM
Ok thanks. The day I get a sump, I will have a big refugium.