aquascape reboot causing PO4 and NO3 drop?

[SeeFu]

I replaced about 1/3 of my aquascape w/ new dry rock 1 week ago and i've noticed that my NO3 and PO4 have dropped from
po4 - .12
no3 - 12

to

po4 - .05
no3 - 6

Is this supposed to happen when live rock is replaced w/ dry rock? The new rock is starting to develop a brown/greenish color on it now.

should i start to increase my dosing to try to get back to my original levels?

 

[lapin]

As new growth happens it feeds on something. I would dose to try and maintain your levels during this growth spurt

 

[SeeFu]

ok i think i figured out why the drop in levels. i started dosing microbacter 7 and that's supposed to reduce po4 and no3.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dry rock can absorb a massive amount of phosphate.

 

[SeeFu]

is it true that dosing amino acids can contribute to ugly phase? I premix my amino acide, nitrate and phosphate so that I can just use 1 dosing head.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

is it true that dosing amino acids can contribute to ugly phase? I premix my amino acide, nitrate and phosphate so that I can just use 1 dosing head.

Amino acids can be used by bacteria to grow. Whether that is ugly or not is a different issue, but I see no reason to dose amino acids right after cycling.

 

[SeeFu]

it's not a fresh cycling. i removed 1/3 of the old rock and replaced it w/ new dry rock. I'm just trying to manage the ugly phase (if there is one) since it's still got all my coral in it.

 

[Dan_P]

I replaced about 1/3 of my aquascape w/ new dry rock 1 week ago and i've noticed that my NO3 and PO4 have dropped from
po4 - .12
no3 - 12

to

po4 - .05
no3 - 6

Is this supposed to happen when live rock is replaced w/ dry rock? The new rock is starting to develop a brown/greenish color on it now.

should i start to increase my dosing to try to get back to my original levels?

The PO4 change is not that large if you include the 95% confidence interval. How are you measuring NO3 so accurately?