Algae and help using uwc vibrant and nitrate

[the_chef_pierre]

Ok. Ill have to read the bottles to see whats best. Im thinking probably the refine nitrate to help boost the nitrates and phosphates since theyre pretty much bottomed out.

 

[the_chef_pierre]

Not sure on the dosing, but I am winning the battle against amphidinium dinos which are the sand dwellers. They also do not tend to produce bubbles but may get stringy. I have some slight strings here and there on the rocks. I would bet that's what you have. I have been dosing silicates and a bit of nitrates to keep my levels from bottoming out.

How to you dose nitrates? I believe the uwc refine I got helps boost nitrate and phos. Not sure how the vibrant works though

 

[thedon986]

How to you dose nitrates? I believe the uwc refine I got helps boost nitrate and phos. Not sure how the vibrant works though

Brightwell NeoNitro and NeoPhos is what I got. There are a variety of methods you can use. It sounds like what you got will work and should be able to dose with Vibrant. I would go easy on the Vibrant, it lowers nutrients.

 

[the_chef_pierre]

Hmm. See that's where I get confused because the refine boosts nutrients and vibrant decreases them. Maybe I should stick with refine first and then vibrant later on. I have been doing weekly water changes and may have possibly over cleaned everything too soon which maybe made everything drop too low bringing on all these problems

 

[thedon986]

Agree. And look into dosing silica. I think you can do it via sodium silicate and you might be able to find that locally. The idea is to help the diatoms out compete the dinos.

 

[the_chef_pierre]

Where do they tend to sell sodium silicate by the way? It will be hard for me to go anywhere here now since pretty much everything is closed but maybe I can get some online? I'll try the refine tonight to start. How high should I try getting my nitrate and phos before I stop dosing it would you say?

 

[thedon986]

Science supply stores carry it I believe. If you can't find it locally try here: https://www.sciencecompany.com/Sodium-Silicate-Solution-16oz-P6375.aspx

 

[the_chef_pierre]

So I should start with the UWC Refine to bring up the nitrate and phos and see if that works before using the vibrant? Or should I do both? Will it kill off my chaeto?

 

[the_chef_pierre]

I dosed my first dose of the UWC Refine last night and will check my levels tonight. It doesn't say how long to dose for, it just says to dose 2 ml per 10 gal daily. I'm assuming once my levels are good I can stop dosing? Will probably have to do it again tonight.

i'm still scared to dose Vibrant too simultaneously with Refine as I'm still not sure how possible this is to do or if it will result in any bad effects