Accidentally created ULNS? How do I correct?

themcfreak · Mar 14, 2018

Recently upgraded to my 85 gallon from a 42 gallon. Have added more fish recently. However, my testing has been consistently showing 0 Nitrates and 0.02 Phosphates (Red Sea tests). I am all for low nutrients, but I'm not shooting to starve everything.

The biggest changes in this new tank is a refugium (which had some chaeto that died, but already have a new set, ready to put in tank), and biopellets (running at 1/4 the amount since it is new to start, and have researched to work my way up). Is it likely the biopellets causing 0 nitrates now? I really want to keep them running, to prevent any future algae outbreaks if possible. Is the best way to increase nitrates now (phosphates are ok, I think) by feeding more? I have read that carbon dosing and chaeto can work together, which is what I would like to have, but don't want the chaeto to die out.

Thanks!

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 14, 2018

I’d turn off the bio pellet reactor.

Then keep feeding the way you are now. Don’t change to many variables at once IMO.

Hersheyb · Mar 14, 2018

start by removing the biopellets, and after a few weeks if your nitrates haven't gone up you might want to increase the feeding or start dosing nitrate. Take it slow.

O'l Salty · Mar 14, 2018

Seachem Flourish Phosphate will bring your phosphates up if you ever need to. Nice accurate calculator at their website.

themcfreak · Mar 14, 2018

I assume I can safely restart biopellets if/when the levels start climbing too much again?

Hersheyb · Mar 15, 2018

themcfreak said:
I assume I can safely restart biopellets if/when the levels start climbing too much again?

yes you can always restart biopellets if needed.

themcfreak · Mar 22, 2018

Update. 8 days later (I turned off Biopellets on the 14). Still getting 0 nitrate reading from 2 test kits (API and Red Sea) and from LFS testing. Phosphates hover around 0.02-0.04. My chaeto doesn't seem like it is doing great either. Currently feeding 1/4 teaspoon of Coral Frenzy, Reef Energy A&B recommended dose for my tank (8ml each), a cube of mysis, and every other day adding some pellets from an AFS I have hooked up. And still no nitrates? I did notice yesterday I had a slight 'dusting' of algae on the top of the sandbed after lights had been on all day, seems to disappear at night (looked like diatoms). But still, 0 nitrates. Only think I am running now is Carbon, and skimmer is running pretty dry. I do use filter socks, but haven't removed in a little over a week, trying to let stuff stay in the tank. lol.

Maybe its the chaeto keeping it down, but it looks pretty thin and light right now (will get picture later). I also ordered a Red Sea Nitrate Pro kit to try and get a lower range test, see if I have some, just below 1. Am I doing something else wrong or not enough?

Is it even worth worrying about? @Randy Holmes-Farley thoughts?