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Nitrate Management in Your Saltwater Aquarium

by greg.chernoff

When setting up new aquariums, most people worry about and focus on ammonia and nitrate management. Everyone knows that cycling a tank with fish is dangerous because of these two compounds, as they burn the gills and body of the fish as the tank matures. But, once these get to zero, most people are satisfied and go on adding fish and corals. But, many fail to control the end product of the nitrogen cycle — nitrates. Because this is not nearly as harmful to inhabitants as ammonia and nitrite, nitrate is often forgot about until it is too late, and you have already have a problem such as an algae bloom. Even well established tanks can have these effects pop up. Understanding how to properly control nitrate is a necessity in this hobby. Thankfully, there are many methods of control. From aquarium substrate to macro algae to carbon dosing to biological blocks, this article will help you decide which is best for your set up.

Macro Algae for Nitrate Management

This is the most common form of Nitrate management. Most beginners do a basic search online and set up a simple refugium with chaetomorpha macro algae and call it a day as far as nitrate control goes. While this may work for some, I have personally found many other more productive algae species that have been easier to care for. Chaeto prefers to tumble, so extra powerheads are often used to encourage this. You can just plop it into the refugium, but it will likely not grow nearly as quickly as it can and therefore not consume nitrates as well as it is actually able to. But, it is important to note that chaetomorpha is the least likely to undergo sexual reproduction out of the most popular algae species, so many people prefer it solely for this reason.

Macro algae such as sea lettuce, Gracilaria species, dragon’s tongue, and Cualerpa species are other good options. Personally, I prefer Pom Pom Gracilaria as it is a beautiful red color and my tangs enjoy eating my clippings. No matter what algae you choose to use, make sure you have a good 6,500 K light or specialized “refugium light” over it. Without a decent light, algae won’t grow and will slowly melt and die, only adding nutrients back to the tank. Macro must also be trimmed, nutrients are physically removed from the tank when you do this. If your tank is large enough for tangs, angels, or other algae eaters, offer them your extra macro as it is usually an appreciated treat! Otherwise, most local aquarium stores will offer you a little store credit for your trimmings.

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Using a Deep Sand Bed

This is an older method, and is tried-and-true. Simply put, you add sand aquarium substrate to a chamber of your sump until it is about six inches deep and then never touch it again. It creates an anoxic zone where anaerobic bacteria can colonize.  These are the bacteria that actually “consume” nitrate. Encouraging them to flourish in a deep sand bed allows your tank to naturally metabolize all products of the nitrogen cycle and turn them back into atmospheric nitrogen.

Although this is a great and efficient method of nitrate control, it comes with a caution. If you disturb an established deep sand bed, it is very possible to kill tank inhabitants. These anaerobic areas have the ability to collect toxins, such as hydrogen sulfide. This can happen in shallow sand beds as well if not stirred regularly, as buried organics often produce this as a waste product. If you are concerned, run granular ferric oxide (GFO) as it converts this compound to only sulfur (which isn’t toxic), and activated carbon (which binds the hydrogen sulfide). If you don’t disturb the sand bed, this is a great method of nitrate control.

Organic carbon dosing

Vodka, sugar, vinegar, and commercial preparations are all ways to dose organic carbon into your tank. This new source of carbon in the tank encourages the growth of denitrifying bacteria that cannot survive or reproduce in tanks with normal levels of carbon. These bacteria are then removed via protein skimming. If dosed correctly, this effectively reduces or may even eliminate nitrates (and phosphates) from your system. Be sure to increase oxygenation in the tank while using this method as the new bacteria uses up a lot of the available oxygen.

When using this method, keep in mind that you must dose daily, and skipping a day can cause nutrient levels to explode once again and potentially harm corals and invertebrates. Many aquarists also experience diatom and cyanobacteria blooms while using organic carbon as it may cause an inbalance between nitrate and phosphate levels. This is also common when days are skipped or tanks are taken off of carbon dosing all together. I have personally experienced floating brown slime algae, it was quite unsightly. Because of the constant need for carbon dosing and the side effects from simply missing a day or “detoxing” from the carbon source, this is my least preferred method of nutrient control. Although, many “biopellet” products that are placed into reactors are available now, and I do like this method as it is a constant supply of carbon that is easy to maintain.

Biological media blocks

Much like using aquarium substrate to create a deep sand bed, biological media blocks aim to provide anaerobic bacteria a place to colonize. These media are so porous that near the center, there are areas where no oxygen can permeate. Due to how much bacteria (aerobic and anaerobic) this media can house, it can also be used instead of living rock for those who want a minimalist look in their tank. To truly have anaerobic areas, get the largest block offered (I typically recommend at least a four by four by four inch cube, preferably larger (such as eight by eight by four inch blocks). Some newer media has been released recently that claim their small pelleted media has anaerobic areas, but I am extremely skeptical and have not done proper testing for nitrate management with these. Marine Pure blocks are what I typically recommend. Keep in mind that these blocks are not an immediate nitrate reducer, they take around three months to colonize before you will see much of a difference.

Closing thoughts

Even though many people don’t think about nitrate control when first setting up their tank, it is an essential part of the nitrification cycle that needs to be present in your aquarium in order to keep it as healthy as possible and an environment in which your fish, coral, and invertebrates can thrive. If you don’t keep nitrates under control, algae blooms and cyanobacteria are inevitable and can quickly turn a beautiful tank into an unsightly mess. Even large water changes are often unable to keep up with the amount of biological waste a large reef tank produces, so it is important to ensure that your tank can naturally handle that bioload without becoming overwhelmed. Whether you rely on organic carbon, macro algae, media blocks, deep aquarium substrate, or another method of nitrate management I haven’t covered, make sure you address nitrate control within your system so your tank can thrive for years to come!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Tuan says

    I used microalgae as my main source of nitrate control. I learn that cheato won’t thrive if nutrients are low. Deep sand beds has its pro and cons. Deep sand beds has cause majo problems for me if it’s not clean or stirred often

    Reply

  7. Mark Strachan says

    Having a proper load of good rock in the tank is also essential. Not all rock is created equal. Rock such as pukani is highly pourus and great for harboring anearobic bacteria for nutrient control whereas base rock has almost none. A properly landscaped tank will naturally take care if itself

    Reply

  9. conner stumpf says

    Even without a fuge of any sort I’ve had difficulties keeping detectable nitrates. Have gone into the dosing method to keep them detectable

    Reply

  15. Neil Daley says

    I’ve had saltwater tanks for more than 30 years – fish only. I’ve done more water changes than I care to admit. . . so starting a reef tank was not something I ever though possible without weekly water changes.

    I started my first reef tank about six months ago after learning about the Triton method. I am happy to say that while the reef building process is still ongoing as I grow my tank inhabitants, I could not be happier with the results. My refugium: Chaeto refugium starter pack that includes the ceramic blocks,in first chamber lit up with a Kessil H380 six hours per night, a protein skimmer in second section with the heater and a bag of carbon, and a return pump that generates 10x turnover. My tank has zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and near zero nitrate with ZERO water changes after six months. Fish and inverts are healthy and the corals are growing. Building the natural ecosystem takes time but it is worth it.

    Reply

  16. brennan lottes says

    I have a refugium and a dsb to control nitrates. The refugium binds up the nitrates so I can just scoop them out of the tank as a ball of algae

    Reply

  18. John L Fenstermaker says

    Deep sand beds have always worked for me. Macro algae works well too in a sump. My Tang makes short work of any that ‘escapes’.

    Reply

  19. Martin Chartier says

    Great article. I’m a civil engineer that has designed wastewater treatment plants, requiring tertiary treatment. I look forward to designing and/or setting up a display refugium with macro algae and biological media blocks.

    Reply

  22. james faber says

    I have tried chaeto and Mangrove plants for my refugium and the mangroves really thrive and grow but the chaeto only lasted a short time.
    So I would really recommend mangrove plants over chaeto even though mangroves are more expensive!

    Reply

  28. Jim Martyn says

    YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE METHODS! USE ALGAE BARN PRODUCTS TO ESTABLISH YOUR TANK. I LOST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF FISH AND CORALS BY RUSHING IT AND NOT SETTING UP THE REFUGIUM AND TANK WITH THEIR ALGAE AND PODS. A MUST!

    Reply

  40. Keesers1984 says

    Love this place orders always show up on time and alive. This is the Only place I trust for algae never buy from lfs or get from friend can contain fish disease. Unless your gonna qt it. I run my fuge with a phosphate reactor no carbon and only run my skimmer half the amount of time don’t leave on all the time makes my nitrates to stay below 5 if ran all time it would be zero. I like a little for coral growth in my reef tank. And yes you can have very successful tanks with a tiny bit of nitrates.

    Reply

  42. JJ8033 says

    I have a nano tank with both media blocks and micro algae, but still have problems with this. I know that I am a classic over feeder, but this is always my ONLY high level when testing.

    Reply

  44. Perry Eason says

    I’m a firm believer in natural foods and filtration over processed foods and chemicals. Nice to have a one stop shop that feels the same way.

    Reply

  45. David Oreol says

    Thanks for the informative article. I didn’t realize that carbon dosing and vodka dosing were the same thing. I’d prefer the fuge and macro algae myself.

    Reply

  46. Tony Mutti says

    I’ve always kept refugiums on my tanks. Tried carbon dosing too, but didn’t work any better.

    Reply

  48. Mike says

    I am a firm supporter in natural is better. DSB in fuge with rock, and chaeto as well. Nitrates always under control and you dont have to “medicate” your tank for nutrient control. If I have to add something, I do it for corals only.

    Reply

  50. Compy Ginorio says

    I use a fuge with macro algae on a reverse light schedule. And also keep my ph in check at night.

    Reply

  52. Carol Mauch says

    First saw the Blocks at MACNA Denver and love the fact they take up little room and have an enormous surface area.

    Also would like you to get some Turtle Grass for a planted SW tank.

    Keep up the good work!

    Reply

  53. Kevin R Gravier says

    I looked into making a diy macroalgae refugium for my biocube, it ended up not getting done, but this was very valuable info, specifically the Kelvin rating for the light.

    Reply

  77. Mary Thompson says

    I am new to the hobby so I have a lot to learn, appreciate the great information you share!

    Reply

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