AZ-NO3 (Absolute Zero - Nitrates) - Thoughts?

[iamjosh]

Ok I I'm curious if anyone has used AZ-NO3, What were your thoughts, experiences or why did you avoid it if you did. There doesn't seam to be any info in the forums so I've complied a few things below. I'm new over all to the whole salt tank thing so I'm curious what everyone thinks.

• Quick Info
• Long Write Up

Thanks,
-josh

 

[mojoreef]

Josh from what I can see, it is an enzyne that can promote the convertion of nitrate to algae. Dont know if that is really a desirable thing, unless algae is something you want to promote in your tank???

MIke

 

[iamjosh]

Not really all for promoting algae, but I'm wondering if you have a nice skimmer setup if you can catch the cycle from nitrate to skimm-able whatever to algae and not promote algea but rather intercept if before it reaches that point.

Thanks for the reply.

Anyone else have thoughts?

-josh

 

[NaH2O]

My feelings are there are other ways to reduce nitrates in a tank without needing to add more (additives)....especially something that has the potential to create an algae growth. There are many things that are advertised to be beneficial for a tank, but when you look at the overall impact, then it may not be so beneficial. If you are having a nitrate issue, why not look at what the cause is? We can determine based on the type of system you maintain and your husbandry what changes can be made or ideas to help.

 

[iamjosh]

Not really having a horrid Nitrate problem 40ppm and the tank has been setup for 3 weeks. I've changed lots on it already to combat the Nitrates from the High of 100+ppm but I'm trying to speed things up. just started all this and I understand that salt tanks take time but I'm not one for waiting.

Have a SeaClear 2 System - 55 Gallon see picture below.

Removed Bio Balls changed setup made into a internal refuigum changed the water return as well as to not blow all the sand forward and be able to have a DSB. Also added a Skimmer pulling water from section 1 in diagram and pushing back to section 3.

Tank pictures @ http://www.iamjosh.com/fish

Also have a pH problem I thnk but that's another thread altogether.

-josh

 

[NaH2O]

I found this interesting located in the first link provided:

The AZ-NO3TM may not work to its full effectiveness under the following conditions:
UV Sterilizer running near or above 50,000 microwatts - sec/cm2.
* Ozone saturation above 40% in the protein skimmer.
* Customer not changing pre-filter pads and/or filter sponges in mechanical filters before natural nitrification breaks the maltase molecule back down into it's original nitrates. So, clean your pre-filters and all pads frequently please.
* Under rare situations that should your fish show stress, an Iodine supplement is recommended.
* Watch your ORP while using this product and use Oxydator if there is a need.
* It is recommended to remove frogspawn & leather corals to a different aquarium during the AZ-NO3TM treatment and keep them out for at least 2 - 4 weeks after the final dose of AZ-NO3TM. About 25% of customers with frogspawn and leather corals experienced adverse effects while the rest swore that these same species survived the treatment beautifully well.

 

[NaH2O]

josh... a question I have for you is how many pound of live rock do you have in the tank. General rule of thumb is at least 1-2 pounds per gallon. If your tank has only been setup for 3 weeks, have you performed any water changes? Trying to speed things up in this hobby is only setting you up for frustration. Patience is key....only bad things happen quickly in a marine system. Your tank needs time to establish bacteria. Make sure you aren't overfeeding as well.

 

[iamjosh]

I know Patience is key but I'm an instant Gratification person. I should probly ad more live rock, guess I need to figure out how to build structures and such and start adding more live rock, just added a pound or so the other day as well.

Does the live rock need light, can I place it in the back area of the tank where its semi void of light?


I'm also lucky My LFS knows I've been pushing my tank hard and had told me that i need to wait 10 days or so before I can buy fish again, good advice, guess its a good thing to be forced to let things sit for a while. (Kevin said no more fish for a bit)

Going to purchase More Macro Algae, plants, live rock and snails tonight, those things should help as well.


As for water changes yeah I've done lots, I also bought the tank used without doing much research, Overall I'm happy with the setup now but knowing what I know now I would have done things different oh well live and learn.

So the questions:
Can live-rock live without light (In back of tank area)?
Will adding plants, snails, Live rock, Macro algae do anything but cause the Nitrates to start going down?

Thanks,
-josh

 

[mattseattle]

hey josh....

i noticed you said this "I know Patience is key but I'm an instant Gratification person." If that is the case then this is the wrong hobby for you and don't take that the wrong way. This is a hobby about patience. Believe me! When I first set up my tank it just sat there for 2+ months without anything in it but live rock and sand and a little lighting. I did add a few pieces of dead cocktail shrimp in order to get bacteria to blossom. After that I slowly added things. a couple hermit crabs at first then a month later i added some snails. Then I added a emerald crab to keep the rocks and such clean. Then I added a clown fish then some corals. I waited about a month between fish as you need to let you tank adjust to the new bioload.

My advice is don't add unnecessary things like this AZ-NO3 and other additives. You'll throw your tank out of balance and that can kill everything or else be a mess to try to get back inline. Do it naturally. Buy more live rock......maybe take some of the fish back to the fish store and just ask them to hold them for you till your tank is really ready.

Yes live rock can live without strong light. Alot of my live rock is covered by other live rock on top. I have sponges, feather worms and tons of other life living in the dark areas. All this helps to filter the water.

Also be careful on the additives you add, the food you feed, etc. as all this contributes to bad quality of water.

Just take your time.....that is the best advice anyone gave me when I first started.

 

[mattseattle]

wow - after looking at your pictures you have more fish in you tank than i do and my tank has been up for almost a year. be careful adding so many fish so quickly. they will all end up dead.

i have almost 90 lbs of live rock in my tank for filtration as well as a deep sand bed. i also have a skimmer. My nitrates don't even register on my test kits.

how much live rock do you currently have in the tank? also if you buy more live rock make sure it's already cured and get it from the fish store to the inside of you tank quickly. uncured rock will upset the balance of your tank.

 

[iamjosh]

1 Puffer, 1 Clown, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Coris Wrasse, 1 Fire Shrimp.

Didn't seam like that much, you think I'm really asking for lots of problems with only 4 Fish?

-josh

 

[iamjosh]

Not sure how much rock I really have, I'm sure its not enuf I'll be heading to Aquatic Dreams tonight to purchase more Attached is a pic dunno if that helps any.

As for live rock in dark areas any thoughts?

Also there is another 1-2Lbs in the back area at the moment.

-josh

 

[mattseattle]

4 fish in a tank that is 3 weeks old? yeah i think that is 4 fish to many. i didn't have a single fish in my tank till it was probably 3 - 4 months old.

so you have one powerhead for water movement? no filtration? if this is going to be a fish only tank i'd recommend getting some type of filter to put on the back....something with a bio-wheel. if you want to progress this into a coral tank then i'd recommend getting a sump and a skimmer and more live rock as well as more water movement.

what are your plans for this tank?

 

[mattseattle]

oh so there are bio-balls in the back of the tank? i didn't see that. i'm sure those don't have bacteria and all built up on them yet. that is why it takes time.

 

[NaH2O]

good posts mattseattle. Live rock doesn't have to be in light, unless you are trying to grow specific things on it that require light (corals for example). Also, I agree with too many fish too soon. Why don't you tell us how you picture your tank when it is matured? What types of inhabitants, etc.? What size is the tank? We'll get ya goin'

 

[mattseattle]

ok i re-read the entire posts. i think i missed some of the stuff above and just started typing!

here is some of what he has:
Have a SeaClear 2 System - 55 Gallon see picture below.
Removed Bio Balls changed setup made into a internal refuigum changed the water return as well as to not blow all the sand forward and be able to have a DSB. Also added a Skimmer pulling water from section 1 in diagram and pushing back to section 3.


so what do you currently have the refugium? also what skimmer are you running and is it pulling anything out? how deep is your DSB? do you have a sump? what are the results of your latest tests that you've done on your tank water?

 

[iamjosh]

I have a AquaC Remoraâ„¢ Hang-on-Tank Skimmer w/ Maxi Jet 1200
1 Maxi Jet 1200 & 1 Maxi Jet 900 for circulation. as well as a Maxi Jet 1200 for the return.

I removed the Bio Ball setup (build a HOB refigum in the back of the tank).

I'll work on building my own diagram of the new way the back of the tank is setup.

As for long term..

I'd like to see lots of fish, coral some point when I can afford the lights. This is a learning tank I plan to build a new house in a few years and am planning a very very large multi wall - inwall tank(s) still brain storming.

Tank is 55 Gallon

I'll try and create a diagram soon.

-josh

 

[iamjosh]

no sump 6 inches of sand in the front giving the fishes time to calm down before i add more sand to the back to level it all out. Skimmer is pulling out lots of ikky stuff Last test said nitrates 40 ppm.

Kevin @ Aquatic Dreams gave me some macro algae plant looking think for the refigium there is a 6 inch sand bed in there with 1-2 lbs of live rock.

I'll try and get into cad later and make a better diagram.. if not you may get a scan of my sketches.

-josh

 

[mattseattle]

it makes sense. i think the only thing i can really recommend is to remove the fish for now, add some more live rock and let the tank cycle for a few weeks. then add the fish back in slowly. they recommend one a month on a tank of our size. if you plan on adding corals down the road you definitely want a stable tank and the only way to get that is with patience. also on the sand bed did you add any live sand to 'kick start' the organisms in the sand bed?

also, water changes. i'd do a good 5% everyday to get the nitrates down.

 

[Scooterman]

iamjosh, the advise above will get you going right, take it from those with experience, it will save you in the long run. I can offer you on thing,Read! It will take a long time to grasp a marine aquarium, or reef for that matter. I can't read enough I assure you I know there is no end to learning.