The accumulation of nitrate or NO3 is a common problem in saltwater aquarium and reef tank systems. Here is information about what nitrate is, where it comes from, and the many ways to control, reduce or eliminate it in saltwater aquariums and reef tanks.
Here is a method to quickly reduce high nitrate levels in your aquarium and save money at the same time. Rather than doing a 10% - 20% every week or so to reduce your nitrates by a small percentage, this method can be done in a couple of hours and will reduce your nitrates and other toxins by 95%.
Nitrates can be a problem in a saltwater aquarium. Nitrates are a part of nature, but excess nitrates can be harmful to corals and other invertebrates. Nitrates are also the food of choice for algae, another problem in saltwater aquariums.
Long Term Nitrate Reduction - How to Easily, Inexpensively and Permanently Reduce or Eliminate Nitrates in Saltwater Aquariums.
Although not normally a major problem for most fish, excess nitrates (NOł) in a saltwater aquarium can be very detrimental the the health of most corals and many other invertebrates. A number of methods and materials, other than denitrator coils, have been utilized to absorb or convert nitrates to a harmless substance. Here are some of the top products available on the market today.
An introduction to nitrate or NO3 that explains what this element in a saltwater aquarium is, where it comes from, what the acceptable level of nitrate is for fish-only and reef tank systems, and how setting up a regular aquarium maintenance routine relates to controlling this problem element.
Nitrate isn't good for our systems, be they FO (fish-only) or reef. You can buy a commercial denitrator that cost big bucks, is difficult to adjust, and requires feeding and monitoring to maintain proper operation. However, another very low-tech solution to very common nitrate woes is a coil denitrator!
Stan describes his water change method that can reduce high accumulated nitrate in saltwater aquariums quickly and safely, and includes an animated graphic of the process.
From your About Guides Articles Archive, an in-depth discussion about using live mangrove plants to reduce nitrate in saltwater aquarium systems, naturally!
Don Carner shares his coil denitrator plans for making this unit that works to reduce nitrate in saltwater aquariums in automatically.
Since the Live Sand Filter was created by Dr. Dean Jaubert, the pros and cons of the DSB (Deep Sand Bed) both with and without a plenum have been discussed. The DSB was created to help reduce Nitrates, but are there some drawbacks? Here is a quick overview of both sides of the debate.
From the Suite101 Aquarium Articles, Winston Vaughan Schoenfeld delves into what you can do to avoid accumulative excessive nitrate in saltwater systems.
From the FINS Reefkeeper's FAQs, some brief notes on nitrate, how it is measured, and what levels are considered to be acceptable.
From Aquatics Unlimited, this article by James Kostich addresses the problem of how an unwary aquarist is most likely to be rudely awakened to "Old Tank Syndrome" when he or she attempts to add new fish to an existing collection, because high nitrates have been allowed to accumulate due to poor maintenance care.
