20 gallon tank - Nitrates

nycjwi · 09/02/2017, 05:24 PM

I have a 20 Gallon all in one tank with skimmer and pump in the back, so no real sump or Refugio. What do people recommend for managing Nitrates and Sulfates, between weekly water changes?? The tank has live rock and 1.5 inches of live sand. I've read a lot of good stuff about chemi pure.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thx

carrots · 09/02/2017, 05:40 PM

Less feeding and make sure to clean or replacing dirty sponges and filter material.

Cheapreef · 09/02/2017, 06:26 PM

I run a algae scubber on my 21 gallon cube, I have to dose nitrates to keep them above zero.

nycjwi · 09/02/2017, 07:55 PM

Why would u want to does nitrates?? Do algae scrubbers even work on a smaller tank. Can someone recommend a good one??

Cheapreef · 09/02/2017, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycjwi

Why would u want to does nitrates?? Do algae scrubbers even work on a smaller tank. Can someone recommend a good one??

Because zero nitrates are not the best way to run a tank, I dose to maintain 1PPM to get better coloring for SPS.
Why wouldn't they work on smaller tanks? If the nutrients are there it will work just as well as any other tank. I feed about 3/4 of a cube of food a day plus Amino Acids and every 3-4 days Reef Roids, lots to keep a AS going. I built a DIY since it's very easy and there really isn't many options to fit the space I had.

Dan_P · 09/03/2017, 05:53 PM

Do you have a new system?

One has to manages nitrates when the bioload exceeds the capacity of the rock and sand to denitrify the system. Phosphate management might be needed at some level even in a lightly stocked system because phosphate is not as readily exported as ammonia and nitrates and can accumulate.

bertoni · 09/03/2017, 09:41 PM

ChemiPure is a good grade of activated carbon along with some resins that probably don't work in saltwater. It probably won't do much to control the nitrate level. What is the nitrate level now?

I'm not sure why you think there would be a problem with sulfate, but water changes would be the only way to fix the level.

09/02/2017, 05:24 PM	#1
nycjwi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 28	20 gallon tank - Nitrates I have a 20 Gallon all in one tank with skimmer and pump in the back, so no real sump or Refugio. What do people recommend for managing Nitrates and Sulfates, between weekly water changes?? The tank has live rock and 1.5 inches of live sand. I've read a lot of good stuff about chemi pure. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thx

09/03/2017, 09:41 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	ChemiPure is a good grade of activated carbon along with some resins that probably don't work in saltwater. It probably won't do much to control the nitrate level. What is the nitrate level now? I'm not sure why you think there would be a problem with sulfate, but water changes would be the only way to fix the level. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/02/2017, 05:40 PM	#2
carrots Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Mendham, NJ USA Posts: 395	Less feeding and make sure to clean or replacing dirty sponges and filter material.

09/02/2017, 06:26 PM	#3
Cheapreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,076	I run a algae scubber on my 21 gallon cube, I have to dose nitrates to keep them above zero.

09/02/2017, 07:55 PM	#4
nycjwi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 28	Why would u want to does nitrates?? Do algae scrubbers even work on a smaller tank. Can someone recommend a good one??

09/03/2017, 05:53 PM	#6
Dan_P Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,432	Do you have a new system? One has to manages nitrates when the bioload exceeds the capacity of the rock and sand to denitrify the system. Phosphate management might be needed at some level even in a lightly stocked system because phosphate is not as readily exported as ammonia and nitrates and can accumulate.