I have been struggling with nitrates for the last six months and have been battling algae for a couple months (see War! The Algae Must Die!!). Frustrated as I can not determine the source of the problem and not sure what to do now, I have decided to attack the problem with a multi approach strategy using every method available to me. What I have done this far:

• Reduced feeding to point I lost a couple fish and LPS heads are receding or dying.
• Stopped feeding for week and Nitrates still maintained at 26.4.
• Changed feed to a Rod’s Original Blend and ELOS sv.M2 to minimize nutrient addition. Use minimal amount to keep fish and LPS alive (5-10 ml Rod’s 50% diluted with H20 spot feed to LPS, 6-8 pellets ELOS, alternating days).
• Tried Vodka dosing. Protocol did not work for me for some reason.
• Tried ZEOvit system and still using with final determination pending.
• Changed skimmer to Euro Reef Nano Skimmer and then Sapphire Aquatics Solana / Cardiff Skimmer.
• Every other day 5% water changes for two weeks. Dropped Nitrates to 17.6 but jumped back to 26.4 in a week.
• Tried different LaMotte test kits with same results.
• Use GAC
• Use RODI. TDS at zero. Nitrates test zero. Change pre filters every six months. Membrane only one year old.
• Tried AlgaeFix Marine
• Regular blowing DT live rock with powerhead to help export build up of detritus
• Regular stirring and siphoning of sand bed to help export build up of detritus
• Increased clean up crew quantity and diversity
• Change filter floss one to two times a day

Coral health has been a concern as I have been losing some Acros along the way which I have been tending to blame the nitrate levels as all other parameters have been in check. Some of my Acros have been growing good and assume they are hardier. When I am feeding the LPS properly, they are thriving but I have lost a few with my attempts to minimize nutrients into the system. Both my leather and zoas are growing great. For last several months, I have not added any new corals to the system as I want to be a good caregiver and hate to lose one much less the many I have lost in last few months.

The baffling point is the Nitrates stay at 26.4. I even tried over feed for several weeks to track impact. Stayed at 26.4. Phosphates maintain at 0.01 to 0.03. Can not figure it out so I am now blaming too much live rock and poor circulation as I am running out of what to blame for the Nitrate issue.

Today, I removed 10 pounds of live rock, changed the rock configuration, and added two of my old Tunze Turbelle Nanostream 6025 Powerheads back into tank along with the EchoTech MP-10 Wave Maker / Powerhead already installed. This was a major undertaking as I had to remove the majority of my corals and reattach. The new layout should create better flow and less dead spots. Time will tell if this will help drive down nitrates.

Update 2009-11-07: Removed Sand Bed and Going Bare-Bottom

In my fight to reduce Nitrates, I removed the sand bed today and going bare-bottom. I have some reluctance to go this route as I love the look of a sand bed and reviewed good articles from some highly respected hobbyist who say a deep sand bed is key to a successful system. I like what I have read about the advantages for a SPS dominated tank being able to increase flow without worrying about sand storms. This was a major undertaking as you can imagine with some preplanning needed for the sake of the livestock I have in the tank already.

First task, start draining tank into an 18 gallon Rubbermaid tub. As soon as the water was to an appropriate level, I started to move all rock work, corals, fish, and invertebrates to the Rubbermaid tub which I placed next to the tank. Third and should have been first task, changed settings on ReefKeeper Elite so only the EchoTech MP-10 and the lights are powered as they have been moved to the tub. Once I got the tank drained and the back chambers drained, I started task of removing the sand bed.

It was amazing how half the sand bed had solidified into one big chunk and what I believe has been the cause for my on going battle with nitrates. Using a kitchen knife, I had to carefully pop the chunks up from the bottom of the tank so not to crack the tank. Once I got the all the solid chunks out, I then scooped out the rest of the loose sand bed using a small bowl and finished with a shop vac to finish the job.

I then cleaned and dried the bottom of the tank getting it ready for a piece of clear acrylic which I had cut to size using the Cardiff’s glass top as a template and modifying as necessary. Many just go bare bottom without anything else added to bottom but I wanted to protect the bottom from rock slides and I did not like the looks of the white PTFE or Starboard others placed in bottoms. I then used silicone to caulk around the acrylic so not to have detritus make its way under and advised by LFS as their starfish have made their way under their Starboard.

After waiting for the silicone to dry for 12 hours, I began filling the tank putting a little in to determine if there were any leaks. I had to make a decision as my craftsmanship seems to not have been up to par as there were a couple leaks back in the rear corners. Do I redo my work or live with it and what undetermined side affects will I have with water between the acrylic and glass? Time will tell as I went with knowing water will seep between the two and over period of time coralline algae will grow over the bare-bottom as I have seen with other reefers with bare-bottom tanks. I do not expect any detrimental side affects and have not read of any issues as I assume most do not silicone their installations. Disappointed, yes, as I like the mirror affect where the water has not seeped between the two pieces yet.

After making the decision to live with the water between the glass and acrylic, I filled the tank using the water I saved from emptying it and another five gallons for what the sand bed had displaced. Took a bit of time to get the rock work back in place and stable as the sand bed had allowed for minor adjustments. After a couple hours, seems to be success with everything back in and running. Now time will tell was this worth the work and I will I see a positive impact on my nitrates and corresponding improvement in coral health.

Observations & Information

Update 2009-11-15: A Week Later Observations

The look is growing on me but would have been better without the leak between the two as the mirror affect is cool but disappearing as the water creeps its way between the two. Initially, my phosphates spiked to 1.0 ppm using Hanna Meter Low Phosphate test kit which I was told to expect and then dropped to 0.04 ppm by this weekend. My Nitrates initially dropped and maintained at 17.6 ppm using LaMotte test kit. I am happy with both numbers and expect my SPS corals to show the same which I will use a frag purchased this weekend as my test to coral health as the frag came from a good tank and has not been stressed in my tank. I would not have done this last test if I was not confident I finally got this nailed down.

My Sapphire Skimmer has been back ordered as the manufacturer was modifying the alloy mesh wheel they were using which was disintegrating in matter of months which I was not aware was an issue. My current skimmer, the Euro Reef Nano, three times this week was skimming great with a half cup of skimmate and then next time I looked at it a few hours later had dumped it all back in when it started to blow its cup for no reason. I can’t wait to get this piece of crap off my tank as the problems with needing to adjust and clean the sponge every day outweigh the skimming performance. It is too bad as it does skim great.

One interesting observation, I have not had to scrape algae of my glass all week.

Update 2009-11-20: Two Weeks Observations

It is real easy to clean the tank and I can turn the power heads full blast so in this aspect it has been worth the change as long as coral health or chemistry does not deteriorate. The nitrates have maintained at 17.6 ppm. In my opinion, it is still too early to tell if any of the changes are having an impact as I assume my chemistry was disrupted as I removed a good amount of biological processes which had established itself which will require others to take hold.

My assumptions from removing live rock and sand bed which increases flow and decreases stored nutrients while continuing to limit nutrient addition: less stored nutrients = reduced algae and bacteria populations = less or slowed nutrient conversion = current detectable nutrient levels fluctuates either up or down until biological process reestablish balance = current detectable levels decrease to near undetectable levels by minimizing nutrient addition. The first assumption, less stored nutrients, is highly debated wether the removal of the sand bed improves or worsens the biological processes to convert nitrates to harmless components.

Update 2009-11-30: Three Weeks Observations and Notes

I have been actually putting off writing these observations in fear of jinxing myself as I am a bit superstitious even with my science background says it is a bit crazy. I have to say, I think I am winning the battle with my GHA, cyanobacteria, and bacteria outbreak as their populations have declined dramatically and near undetectable. I have also noticed some growth and good polyp extension from some of my SPS. My nutrients are still at 17.6 ppm for Nitrates and 0.03 ppm Phosphates but attribute this to the adjustment my beneficial bacterial are making for the removal of the sand bed and the break down of the dying GHA, cyano, and bateria.

As above and the following can attest, I am throwing absolutely everything at the problem which I have researched which may be a solution including the following added in last week as they have been proposed as potential solutions to nutrient issues:

• Reduced my feeding habits even more
• Added chaetomorpha to center chamber along with 10,000K LED lighting to light opposite from DT lighting
• Added N/P Reducing Biopellets to an additional reactor
• Increased my magnesium to 1600 using Kent Marines Tech M Magnesium
• Added some more clean up crew (6 x Trochus Snails) to replace the ones which have died
• Replaced the Euro Reef Nano Skimmer with Sapphire Aquatics Skimmer
• Upgraded T-5 lighting to MH
• Siphoned any detritus build up twice a week (easy to see and siphon being bare-bottom now)
• Upgraded my 5 stage RO/DI system to a 7 stage system (5 micron sediment filter, 1 micron sediment filter, 1 micron ChlorPlus 10 Carbon Block, 0.6 micron MATRIKX® +1 Carbon Block, and 2 DI Resin Canisters). Will need to watch pressure to membrane to make sure not too many stages causing too large drop in pressure to the membrane and DI.

The chaeto has not started to grow yet and the N/P Reducing Biopellets are still forming their own beneficial bacteria colonies so too early to see their benefits.

Downside to performing everything at once, I will never really know what one contributed to resolving my issue while others were only antidotal. I will have to say, I really don’t care if it permanently solves my problems. I believe from what I have read about other’s experiences and information from other web sites, it is a multi facetted approach which is needed when you do have an outbreak.

Update 2009-12-15: Five Weeks Observations and Notes

Algae and bacteria bloom almost undetectable which I am very happy about as best my tank has looked in months. Coral health improving with the best growth and coloration I have seen in my tank. Chaeto seeing a little growth but not much. Nitrates still at 17.6 ppm and phosphates at 0.04 ppm. Lost my yellow coris wrasse today and will not know for sure but blame reducing food too much. I am back to feeding every day in small amounts (Alternating days between 5 – 8 Elos SV. M2 pellets and 4 ml Rods Reef) and will back off to every other day if see nutrients increase.

So far my observable results from a multi approach strategy has been the best plan instead of trying one or two things at a time. I assume I will see a reduction in nitrates and phosphates in near future once the algae and bacteria die off has been fully exported from system resulting in a net decrease in nutrients.

Conclusions

A multi method approach is key to success:

• Limit nutrient addition
• Provide one or more means to export nutrients through natural, mechanical, and chemical processes
• Provide appropriate lighting to deter algae growth
• Utilize a good cleaning routine
• Limit sources where nutrients are stored
• Monitor and control water column chemistry
• Include algae chemical regime (AlgaeFix, Tech M Mg) if necessary and know the risks associated with each
• Finally and most important when you do have an algae outbreak, be patient if you are utilizing every method mentioned as part of solution as the problem did not start overnight and will take as much time or longer to correct the problems

Only attacking the problem with a couple methods, will limit your success and the majority of the time result in failure. What differentiates a novice reef keeper and a experienced reef keeper who can maintain great reef tanks are they understand and utilize every method available and appropriate for their reef tank.

DISCLAIMER: Your results may very as each system is very different from another. For my tank parameters and environment, this was my observations and conclusion. This was not a controlled experiment so there is a potential for a very large margin of error.

References

Borneman, Eric. “The Old Becomes New, Yet Again: Sandbeds and Vodka.” Reefkeeping Magazine. October 2004. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/eb/index.php. Accessed 20 November 2009.

Borneman, Eric. “The Old Becomes New, Yet Again: Sandbeds and Vodka, Part II.” Reefkeeping Magazine. November 2004. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/eb/feature/index.php. Accessed 20 November 2009.

Fellman, Scott. “From revolution to evolution: a look at two hobby trends and their impact.” Reef Builders. 20 November 2003. http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/11/20/revolution-evolution-hobby-trends-impact/. Accessed 20 November 2009.

Holmes-Farley, Randy. “Chemistry and the Aquarium.” Advanced Aquarist’s Online Magazine. August 2003. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm. Accessed 20 November 2009.

I have a battle which is not ending and turning into an all out war! Algae! Dare I say it out loud in fear it will awaken some mighty giant I have not seen yet or amass more of the same army which has been overrunning my veiled attempts. We all face this foe one time or another. Mine follows the same story…poor nutrient exporting leading to explosion of algae and not just one variety. I have nice red slime, gorgeous filamentous, and some wonderful bryopsis for which I would probably receive awards if that was the prized possession. I know without a microscopic analysis and knowledge beyond what I have today, I will never know exactly what I am fighting and am sure why my little battle has turned into an all out war.

Here is my story which I am sure you have heard before. May be different steps but you know how it goes. I have to admit I feel I am fighting this war like the first little piggy in the Three Little Pigs kid’s tale.

For the first line of defense, I have been using ZEOvit bacterial system to export both phosphates and nitrates for about six months without seeing the ultra low nutrients. This was after using the other bacteria system, Vodka Dosing, which was my first failed attempt. Is it me? Is it my tank? I will keep plugging away with my research now focused on a sulfur denitrifier which I am reluctant to use as I have also battled low pH due to a closed home with high indoor CO2 levels. That is another battle which I have seemed to have won and another story to tell. I will drag my feet on trying anything else in hopes I am not being patient and will one day see the nutrients drop as all others talk about. Is it a mirage? A myth? Am I going to make it? Is this the holy grail which alludes me?

Second line of defense is old fashion brushing with a tooth brush. Spend any time doing it, you will know how much I love this task. To top it off, it seems like all I am doing is encouraging it to find a new place to grow, a new place to take hold. “Brush, Brush, Brush” is what my daughter says as she walks by eyeing me buried in the tank. I think she is laughing as she knows how the story goes.

Third line of defense, upgrade my equipment thinking that is the problem and a viable strategy. Started with trying to have better circulation, more reactors, better lighting, and now a “better skimmer.” I can say all I have accomplished is parting with my money with minimal impact on my tank. Am I believing all the hype of what I read or am I failing with the equipment I chose? Do I try another? Will MACNA have the next greatest thing which is the cure all and I should wait?

Fourth line of defense and new warfare tactic for me, using chemicals! I feel like I now have weapon I can use like my S&W MP 15 and Glock 23. Granted, chemicals can be as dangerous as the afore mentioned weapons with some innocent victims falling along the way even if I am careful. It makes me feel powerful against this mighty foe as I sit back and smile the sinister grin. Die! Die! Die! Will this be the weapon I have been missing? Will I finally prevail?

So far, I am losing the war with thoughts from time to time to give up and nuke the whole thing. That would be the empirical thing to do. Luckily, common sense kicks in and I trudge away in the every day battle watching casualties fall along the way with hope I will prevail one day. I will win, I say! Maybe one day or maybe I will lose my mind along the way!?!

I am seeing good coral growth and coloring and attribute to the ZEOvit system. Using my Red Planet Acro as baseline which has its red color and green base back. The ORA Roscoe’s Blue Acro has nice blue base color back with nice green polyp coloring and growth. I did lose my Orange Hammer LPS coral which was my favorite coral. I believe I damaged it when I accidently bumped it with another coral which cause it to recede and have STN. My Frogspawn and Torch LPS corals are growing like crazy.

I am still having issues with nutrients (35.2 ppm Nitrates and 0.03 ppm Phosphates) but only one full month into using the ZEOvit rocks. I need to be patient with protocol. I changed the ZEOvit rocks in the reactor and will proceed with the ZEOvit protocol I have for my tank.

I am seeing green hair algae or cyno starting to take hold in more areas of tank with the maintained nutrient levels. I am looking into using AlgaeFix Marine as I am reading good things about it over at Reef Central.

I am seeing my Alkalinity needing to be dosed 10 to 20 ml daily to maintain the proper level even with dosing Kalkwasser as part of top off. Both calcium and magnesium are inline. Will need to continue to closely monitor to determine if change in tank. I did verify with a newer test kit to eliminate the test kit as the issue.

For some reason I started losing my Turbo Snail, Florida Turbo (Astraea tecta) about two weeks ago. Out of the 18 I had, I am down to eight. I am not sure why unless the ULNS has impact on them with not enough food for them to survive.

Changed GFO (1 cup), blew rocks, stirred sand bed a bit, and pulled some algae which has been trying to grow. All corals look good except for the Orange Hammer which is still mostly retracted from being bumped when the Teal Acro was introduced and the Teal Acro which never colored up when it was placed. Getting good polyp extension from the Teal Acro. The rest of the Acro frags are growing or encrusting with great polyp extension and color. The Red Planet Acro lost its green underlying color but suspect because the T5s are too bright for it.

Replaced the Micro Jet 320 with an Eheim Compact 300 (80 gph) for theKalk Drip Chamber to keep the detris suspended and stir the Kalk chamber.

Using Zeo Sponge Power and Amino Acids concentrated (1 drop/day) to see what they can do to help on color and growth. Been dosing these for about two weeks. Not sure if it because of these but seeing good growth and encrusting than I was seeing before.

I am not too impressed with Vodka dosing as not seeing much from it which may be due to the deep sand bed from what I am reading. I should be dosing a maximum of 1 ml/day for my tank but I am up to 5 ml/day trying to find maintenance dosage. Not going to increase more than that and looking at discontinuing it. The nitrates are staying at 17.6 ppm with little impact on phosphate levels.