| The ultimate quest for the Marine Reef Keeper is | | | | total volume of your aquarium, bear this in mind |
| keeping water parameters as close to natural sea | | | | though when positioning low flow loving corals. |
| water as possible. One of the main concerns for | | | | - Using the correct amount of sand, many argue too |
| hobbyist is keeping Nitrates to a minimum, if not | | | | much will create what is known as a "nitrate factory" |
| totally eradicating them. | | | | A Deep sand bed can cause problems if not full of |
| You need to have a reasonable understanding of the | | | | de-nitrifying bacteria, this can take time to mature, it |
| nitrate cycle, here is a quick guide. | | | | is recommended not to use sand, using a light |
| Fish produce waste very similar to us, this contains | | | | misting, enough to cover the surface for aesthetic |
| ammonia. Ammonia is then converted to nitrite by a | | | | pleasure. |
| bacteria known as Nitrosomonas. The Nitrite is then | | | | - I find that if using sand at any depth, to not disturb |
| converted into nitrate by another bacteria called | | | | it. Using a Siphon and vacuuming the substrate in my |
| Nitrobacter. The final piece of the cycle where the | | | | opinion shouldn't be done. This removes the |
| nitrates are consumed by plants and algae and of | | | | de-nitrifying bacteria and releases nitrates. After |
| cause your regular water changes. | | | | employing this method, i have found reduced levels |
| - The first and most important thing is regular small | | | | of nitrates. |
| water changes. As a guide about 10% change | | | | - Stocking correctly and slowly, By over stocking you |
| weekly in a aquarium with a high biological load, highly | | | | are asking for trouble, i suppose you can keep on |
| stocked aquarium or high nitrates in the first place. If | | | | top with very regular water changes but what is the |
| your aquarium as a small bio load and low nitrates it is | | | | point could you live in a 3 by 2 cubicle? Taking it |
| recommended to do a 25% change every month to | | | | slowly is not only easier on the pocket it also allows |
| help replace depleted trace elements. This really is | | | | the de-nitrifying bacteria time to cope with the |
| common knowledge and should be part of your reef | | | | biological load. Like a good wine, it matures with time. |
| keeping maintenance. | | | | - Over feeding can contribute to high nitrates |
| - Using the correct amount of live rock is important | | | | especially on newly set up aquariums. If the food is |
| as this is your natural filtration, and to go with this | | | | not getting consumed then there will be a bigger |
| you need a good amount of flow so that your live | | | | biological load on the aquarium. |
| rock and it's small filtering inhabitants can filter and | | | | If you follow this guide you should soon find your |
| work there de-nitrifying effects on your water. Flow | | | | problem will rectify itself and stay that way as long |
| should be a minimum of 24 times turn over off the | | | | as these steps are followed. |