As Phosphates go up Nitrates go down... is that normal?

[New&no clue]

I have an IM Nuvo30L that I was having a hard time keeping phosphates down with just normal water changes. I decided to add a refugium to one of the back chambers. So far it seems to be working well. The chaeto is growing nicely and my phosphates have been dropping down. When I started the fuge they were at .4 and now that are at .18. I'm trying to watch closely to make sure it doesn't bottom out as I still want some phosphates in the system. However, as the phosphates have been going down my nitrates have been going up when the phosphates were at .4 nitrates were 25 now with phosphates at .18 nitrates are at 40.

Is that normal, or do I need to do something about it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is not "normal" for adding chaeto (which consumes N and P) to cause a rise in nitrate, but there are lots of reasons it might (feeding, etc.), and the difference you are seeing may be close to the precision of the kit anyway. I'd keep watching.

 

[New&no clue]

It is not "normal" for adding chaeto (which consumes N and P) to cause a rise in nitrate, but there are lots of reasons it might (feeding, etc.), and the difference you are seeing may be close to the precision of the kit anyway. I'd keep watching.

I am using Hanna ULR for phosphates and Salifert for Nitrates. Last night I checked my Nitrates with API as well. I know those are not the greatest test but just wanted to see if it was showing a high reading as well, and it was closer for 80 on that one.

For current filtration I have a media rack with fiber balls, a bag of carbon, and a bag of phosphates. A small skimmer that I'm not sure does much, a refugium with chaeto this is growing nicely, and some Ceramic Bio Blocks with filter floss. I am debating taking out the bio blocks and putting in some more live rock. I believe live rock is better at processing Nitrates.

I've also notice I have a load of detritus back there, Should I try to vacuum that out as well?

 

[Dr. Jim]

Carbon dosing should help. I use Brightwells BioFuel whenever my nitrates go a little higher than I want. (I don't think the phosphates are affected much by carbon dosing.)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am using Hanna ULR for phosphates and Salifert for Nitrates. Last night I checked my Nitrates with API as well. I know those are not the greatest test but just wanted to see if it was showing a high reading as well, and it was closer for 80 on that one.

For current filtration I have a media rack with fiber balls, a bag of carbon, and a bag of phosphates. A small skimmer that I'm not sure does much, a refugium with chaeto this is growing nicely, and some Ceramic Bio Blocks with filter floss. I am debating taking out the bio blocks and putting in some more live rock. I believe live rock is better at processing Nitrates.

I've also notice I have a load of detritus back there, Should I try to vacuum that out as well?

I never removed any detritus, but it's a fine thing to try if you think the nitrate is rising too much.