JoeJ
04-08-2008, 08:36 PM
My nitrates have always been hovering around 5-10 ppm by the API testing kit and never lowering even after installing a 15 ga external refugium (installed Nov 2007). I happened to have a LaMotte Nitrate test kit that I inherited with my 110 gallon tank. So, I finally gave that test a try. It comes with an "Octet Comparator" color standard which makes it easier to determine the correct results. So, now I understand why the kit is more expensive than API which has a difficult color card. I thought I was fine with a reading of 5 ppm, but the result (in Nitrate-N) was to be multiplied by 4.4 for Nitrate! I had to make lowering my nitrate levels a new priority.
Before I left for vacation, I decided to make use of one of the 3 canisters installed in my LifeReef sump. I filled half of it with Seachem SeaGel (phosphate remover and carbon) and the other half with Seachem de*nitrate (nitrate absorber/bio filter). These were also supplies that I inherited. Each of the media is placed in a filter sock and separated with a coarse sponge. I made sure to use low flow for the benefit of the bio-filter and absorption process.
These are the records of the Nitrate readings using the LaMotte test kit:
03/03/08, 22.0 ppm
03/06/08, 22.0 ppm
03/06/08, 0 ppm (test Scripps Water prep)
03/06/08, 15 ga water change
03/13/08, 5 ga water change
03/13/08, ---installed Seachem "SeaGel" & "de*nitrate"---
---went on vacation, tank fed by neighbor---
03/29/08, 13.2 ppm
03/29/08, 5 ga water change
04/05/08, 3.3 ppm
04/05/08, 5 ga water change
04/08/08, 1.8 ppm
04/13/08, 0 ppm by API and LaMotte
05/17/08, 0 ppm by API
This observation comes with a few caveats that I can think of:
1) Tank is currently adjusting to higher intensity LED lighting.
2) The refugium may still be coming up to cycle, noticed new growth of macro algae after vacation
3) starting to elevate magnesium levels with Reef Advantage Mag dosing
4) a few dead cerith snails out of 10 noticed in refugium (caused a spike during this time?! No ammonia readings taken)
---these were a recent purchase, so 8/10 might have been expected.
5) LaMotte kit component exp 9/02, but how far off does manganous sulfate and cadmium powder go under dessication?!
---unexpired API test definately went from 20 ppm to undetectable. So, this has to be a reliable observation.
I would be quite happy if the canister is responsible for lowering nitrate levels. There are some concerns that the bio-filter can become dirty, so I’ll keep a close watch.
Before I left for vacation, I decided to make use of one of the 3 canisters installed in my LifeReef sump. I filled half of it with Seachem SeaGel (phosphate remover and carbon) and the other half with Seachem de*nitrate (nitrate absorber/bio filter). These were also supplies that I inherited. Each of the media is placed in a filter sock and separated with a coarse sponge. I made sure to use low flow for the benefit of the bio-filter and absorption process.
These are the records of the Nitrate readings using the LaMotte test kit:
03/03/08, 22.0 ppm
03/06/08, 22.0 ppm
03/06/08, 0 ppm (test Scripps Water prep)
03/06/08, 15 ga water change
03/13/08, 5 ga water change
03/13/08, ---installed Seachem "SeaGel" & "de*nitrate"---
---went on vacation, tank fed by neighbor---
03/29/08, 13.2 ppm
03/29/08, 5 ga water change
04/05/08, 3.3 ppm
04/05/08, 5 ga water change
04/08/08, 1.8 ppm
04/13/08, 0 ppm by API and LaMotte
05/17/08, 0 ppm by API
This observation comes with a few caveats that I can think of:
1) Tank is currently adjusting to higher intensity LED lighting.
2) The refugium may still be coming up to cycle, noticed new growth of macro algae after vacation
3) starting to elevate magnesium levels with Reef Advantage Mag dosing
4) a few dead cerith snails out of 10 noticed in refugium (caused a spike during this time?! No ammonia readings taken)
---these were a recent purchase, so 8/10 might have been expected.
5) LaMotte kit component exp 9/02, but how far off does manganous sulfate and cadmium powder go under dessication?!
---unexpired API test definately went from 20 ppm to undetectable. So, this has to be a reliable observation.
I would be quite happy if the canister is responsible for lowering nitrate levels. There are some concerns that the bio-filter can become dirty, so I’ll keep a close watch.