0 NITRATES and 0 PHOSPHATES

[Jose A Diaz]

Hi everyone I’m new to R2R I have a 60 gallon cube at 1 year old mark and have a 40 gallon breeder as a sump with total water volume of 70 to 75 gallons a Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2 gallons of Marine pure spheres and cheto. I have a total of 12 fish for about 7 months now. 1 rose bubble tip anemone and a few corals and I still see no NITRATES and PHOSPHATES. I feed seaweed and half a cube of frozen misys shrimp a day and Reef-Roids 2 times a week. It’s my system to young still? or my filtration system it’s to good doing its job? I haven’t done a water change in about a month now keeping an eye on my Calcium, Alk and magnesium trying to see if I get them but they’re still O phosphates and nitrates. Should I start dosing NITRATES and PHOSPHATES to my system??? Or what should I do regarding this situation. Thank you guys in advance...

 

[GoVols]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!!

We're happy your here, and it may be better to start a thread on Randy's water chemistry forum too.

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!!

You could either feed heavier or dose supplements to raise nitrates and phosphates.

Agree with above to get more direct help.

 

[P-Dub]

Welcome, Jose!!!
I had the same problem. I just fed more. Don't fret about it too much so long as all your corals are looking good. The nutrients are there but are being utilized by all the organisms that need it. There is a tightrope that you end up walking when you start to dose. Whatever you try, DO IT SLOWLY AND OVER TIME.
Let's see some photos of your setup!
Hit the Like button and Share often!

 

[BestMomEver]

Welcome to the reef! Post some photos of your tank or, better yet, post a build thread in the "Member's tanks" section. As for dosing, I am not the person to ask. I've never had a 0 nutrient system. Sorry I can't help. Someone will come along...

 

[Reef-junky]

Yeah hit Randy up and

 

[Big G]

Welcome, Jose! +1 to the above. Feeding a bit more solved my similar problem. I make a fish "smoothie" out of several different frozen cubes. The trick is to place several different cubes in the fridge and let them "slump" until you can stir them a bit. Then strain off the excess liquid. It has lots of nitrates and phosphates. Now you can feed more without your nitrates and phosphates going sky high. As always move slowly and let your tank adjust to the new food levels.

 

[Peace River]

It looks like you are already getting some good advice, so I'll just add my welcome to R2R!

 

[Hitman]

Welcome to R2R!!!
If everything is looking good leave it alone.

 

[KrisReef]

Welcome Jose.

If your corals look good and are growing, and your bubble tip is also happy then you are feeding the tank & fish perfectly.
I also use to have zero N & P until I went away for work and my wife took over feeding the fish. They looked hungry and begged every time she walked by the tank so they grew a lot while I was gone.

The N & P were very high as a result and I am still working on bringing them back down after 6 months they are almost non-detect.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[bluprntguy]

How are you testing nitrates and phosphates?

 

[Hemmdog]

Welcome to reef2reef!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R !!!

 

[BeejReef]

Welcome!

If your chaeto is on a timer, you can light your chaeto for less time.

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to the party! I wish I had the same problem starting out. I agree with everyone else. As long as everything appears healthy, you have the cushion you need to go slow. You can reduce the lighting schedule of your fuge, increase feeding , or as a last resort dose. I personally would do one thing first and monitor for a while. If that doesn't help, add another approach and monitor. I personally would start with increased feeding, but that's just me.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome.

Totally agree w kris. If everything is looking good call it a job well done.

Just asking, which kit are u testing with. Just to be sure u r truly at 0. Regardless I say do what u r doing and enjoy.

And glad your here

 

[SPR1968]

Some good advice already, and you could also look at increasing your bioload, (more fish) as an option, then like me you will be battling to keep nutrients down! I have ‘issues’ with fish! Lol

But it will all happen for you, given time and anything you need just ask

And welcome to R2R as well, great to have you with us!

 

[ScottR]

Some things to consider:

1) You may have phosphates but your chaeto is removing them faster than you can test for them.

2) You can remove chaeto as basically it’s doing what you wanted it to do: clear phosphates. Or you can take out some of the chaeto and see if phosphates trickle back up.

3) Run a heavier bioload of more fish and/or up your feedings.

Good luck! We’d like to see some pics!

 

[crusso1993]

Welcome to R2R, Jose!

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef !!!