Nitrate problems

[Dj1259]

I need some help. So i set up a FOWLR system about 3 months ago as my first SW tank. It does not have a sump or refugium because i did not wanna drill the tank and am contemplating doing an over flow box with sump but still with no dilling. But anyways my question is how can I keep the nitrates down in the tank..they always seem to hover between 10-20ppm?? Now i use tap water right now because i did not have the money for an RO unit at the time but am looking at getting one now..will this help with nitrates?? And yes I know WC are the best way but i could do 50% WC everyday and it seems to always stay around 10-20.

[Boonjob]

I could be wrong but I thought for a fish only tank 10-20ppm is somewhat acceptable? either way does it have a skimmer of any sort?... the skimmer can be used to pull excess organic waster before it can break down and become a problem, if you don't want to do a sump a HOB(hang on back) setup will work... I don't believe there is a silver bullet for nitrates, however I have found that an addition of skimmer and macro algae of some sort(cheato) has done well to battle them. 

Whatever the answer be I am sure you will get some great advice here!

And an RO unit will help with several different factors and I would put it at a high priority for your tank needs... if you can't afford a unit at least try to purchase water from a place that can make it... though in a few water changes you could buy a somewhat standard but decent unit with what your spending on water.

[Kenn]

I agree with BoonJob about the Nitrates not being as critical for a fish only tank.

How often do you do a water change and what type of filtration are you using?  filters can be a nitrate factory if not cleaned reg. (thats why I asked about the filtration )

[kattz]

Even in a FOWLR system, you should have something stirring up the sand to help rid the system of problematic issues.  Your filter is probably the issue, but as others have said, 10-20ppm nitrates isn't an issue in a FOWLR system.

[larrynews]

agree with the above mine have always been anything but 0 and i have an sps reef tank.....so i wont sweat it if things are good in it

[Dj1259]

ok well thanks you guys.. and yes i have a remora c skimmer on it and no filter running just skimmer and 58lbs of nice LR with a few powerheads for water movement                                                                           

[cyberwollf]

Test you tap water.  If you have nitrates in your tap water all the water changes in the world wont help you (and could be hurting you).

[Dj1259]

ya i was thinking about that too