Aquaripure denitrator: opinions please

[Nardino_G]

Hello all,

I am new to the salt water reef hobby. I have a 6 month old 180 gal bow front and I was constantly over feeding causing high NO3 levels above 80 ppm. The fish look ok, some of the corals are doing well, zoo's, mushrooms, leathers. My in sump protein skimmer is inconsistent and I am looking at replacing it with a reef octopus that will cost $350. The aquaripure system is the same price and claims that a protein skimmer is not required and less water changes are needed.

I have read quite a bit online and the common theme is that constant water changes are crucial regardless of the filtration used. As a newbie I feel this is an old school approach to reef keeping because nature is a closed loop system so we should be able to mimic it in some way on a small scale and the aquaripure vodka dose system may be a step in that direction.

I have already been proactive and added a deeper sand bed, more live rock, better water flow, cheato macro algae, and have curtailed my feeding habits but all of this along with weekly 20% water changes have done nothing to my nitrates. My calcium, kh, ammonia, is all in check.

Any comments or suggestions will be considered.

Thanks,

[blainep]

From my own reading and experience, I would strongly suggest starting with a quality skimmer. Get the crap out before it becomes nitrates.

Water changes are a constant, the more fresh water that goes in to the tank the better, with a reef do more small water changes rather than a large weekly one.

At 6 months, your tank is still very new and you really won't see the potential of the rock or a deep sand bed until you get to about a year.

The aquaripure system may be a great tool for helping to control nitrates, but it is certainly not required. Depending on what you growing in the tank, a few nitrates might be appreciated by the occupants.
Most soft corals and LPS like some nitrates to feed the algae in their tissues.

Just my 2 cents worth, but the difference between a crappy skimmer and a good one is huge and will make a big difference towards helping to get nitrates under control.

Now, where are the pictures !

[Nardino_G]

I currently have an in sump protein skimmer and i find it does not work well because the water evaporation cant keep things constant. I also like to turn off the pump when fedding the corals and the extra water that goes into the sump then forces me to either adjust it again or turn the skimmer off as well.

I am looking at buying a used Reef Octopus SUper skimmer from someone but it is rated for 350gal. Is there such thing as having too good of a skimmer?

I have attached a photo of my set up. One of my halide's is out.....never a dull moment :Smile:

[CACAdmin]

I'm sorry I have no input with regards to a skimmer (am totally new to s/w). However, I just wanted to say that your tank looks beautiful (even with one light out).

[Bina]

gorgeous tank :-)