Oregon Coast Temperate Setups.

C-Rad wrote:
I just reviewed what Steve Weast wrote about his filtration system, and it reminded me of something I'd like to emphasize. Steve wrote:
"Even with a powerful skimmer, nitrates build rapidly in these heavily fed systems. Water changes are a must. I perform a 50% water change monthly…..but, I also employ a sulfur denitrator to help keep nitrate levels from exceeding the 25ppm level."
I had a lot of trouble keeping nitrate levels down, and I found two things, in addition to frequent water changes, that have really helped:
1) Quickly remove uneaten food before it can break down by replacing filter pads every 2 or 3 days (every 1 or 2 days would probably be better) and by running an over-sized skimmer.
2) Use a Remote Deep Sand Bed (RDSB) to promote the growth of anaerobic bacteria which will consume nitrates and convert them to harmless nitrogen gas. My deep sand bed (5") is in my display (not remote) which I don't recommend, especially if you have digging animals (like my bimac octopus). It took about 8 months for the anaerobic bacteria to colonize my DSB because of the cold water, but then I saw a dramatic drop in nitrates. I did 40% water changes every week at first, and my nitrates were still high (25 - 50 ppm). Now that the DSB is mature, I do 25% water changes every two (or three) weeks, and my nitrates are seldom above 10 ppm. I strongly recommend that you find a place for a RDSB, and let it start cycling with your tank.

A RDSB is just a 5 gallon bucket 80% filled with play sand from home depot, with water running over the top of the sand at about 100 GPH (just fast enough to keep detritus from settling on the sand). In your case I would use two buckets, and insulate them. The surface area of a 5 gallon bucket is about 100 sq in, and sand depth would be about 11", so any sturdy container with a surface area of about 200 sq in that is over 14" tall would be equivalent to two buckets (like a 15 gallon high or 15 gallon show aquarium). The reef guys have had good results with a single bucket on 150 gallon tank, so I figure 2 buckets should be about right for a 100 gallon temperate tank that gets fed so much more.

Rambo wrote:While you are there doy ou think you could brign a little thermometer with you and test teh water. Thanks
If not it is fine. I am just trying to get soem ideas going for a diy chiller.

Pufferfreak wrote:I think the concept of the RDSP makes sense and could even help with nitrates, but there are definitely other ways of avoiding nitrates. I believe in Jon Olavs aquarium he did not have a DSP, but in his sump he might have.