Bacteria bloom/carbon dosing

[bureau13]

I've been dosing the "homebrew NoPOx" recipe someone posted (half vinegar, ~38% vodka, the rest RODI water) for about a month. I hadn't seen any real reduction in nitrates, then I went on vacation. My drains were not flowing very well (noticed right before I had to leave) so I turned down my return pump to avoid overflows. When I got back I cleaned out the Dursos and part of the problem there was globs of bacterial whatever-that-is wasn't able to get through the strainer, which was heavily encrusted. Then when I cranked the return back up, it blew "cobwebs" of that stuff everywhere. The water was and remains clear, and now the gloop is able to go down the drains (I have filter socks now, took them out while on vacation) but is this a sign that I'm over-dosing? I was doing about 34 ml/day via dosing pump (240 gal + sump). I need to test, will do that today as first order of business was fixing the drains. But assuming the nitrates are not where I want them yet is it OK to return to the 34 ml/day (I reduced down to ~20 when I saw this, just to be safe)?

 

[Reefahholic]

I thought NoPOX has methanol denatured ethanol in it?

 

[bureau13]

Perhaps it does? The recipe I'm using did not.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The DIY versions typically do not try to emulate the small amounts of methanol and isopropanol that are present in NOPOX. I suspect they are there to make it undrinkable and untaxable, rather than as useful for the aquarium.

 

[bureau13]

For what it's worth, I tested and my nitrates are still quite high. Too high to tell to be honest, it's closer to the 100 than the 50 with my Salifert test. Given all the bacterial crap I would have thought it would be making a dent by now. I went ahead and cranked it back up to 34 ml/day. Should I go higher? I'm using I think the Red Sea dosing schedule.

 

[hexcolor reef]

Need a serious water change to be honest

 

[bureau13]

Water changes don't really do much. I've done multiple 50%-ish changes and it's had very little impact. It's weird.

 

[hexcolor reef]

I think you should get a second opinion on nitrates from LFS electronic testing.

What are you feeding the tank

 

[Stigigemla]

It can take up to a month for the vodka method to start.
It is much better to use a test with higher resolution.
With that you can see a 10 % difference wich is impossible with a drop color test.
The organic carbon feeds bacteria and intend to skim them out.
When the method starts to work you should see an increased amount of skimmate. (and many times a bacterial film on the glass).

 

[bureau13]

I had a cheap (API?) kit such was indicating very high. I upgraded to Salifert, which agrees, but it's really not designed to provide accuracy at those levels. I definitely need a more accurate test, any recommendations? I've never taken water to an LFS but maybe that's the answer. I will ask them about it.

I do feel like I'm getting more skimmate. I have not seen any additional film on the glass, but I did have the issue with all the gloop blowing out of my return.

 

[hexcolor reef]

I had a cheap (API?) kit such was indicating very high. I upgraded to Salifert, which agrees, but it's really not designed to provide accuracy at those levels. I definitely need a more accurate test, any recommendations? I've never taken water to an LFS but maybe that's the answer. I will ask them about it.

I do feel like I'm getting more skimmate. I have not seen any additional film on the glass, but I did have the issue with all the gloop blowing out of my return.

Any good reputable saltwater LFS… NOT PETCO

 

[Stigigemla]

I use Hanna 782.

 

[bureau13]

I use Hanna 782.

Does that provide more high range precision?

 

[Stigigemla]

I dont know the actual precision but the resolution is 0,1 ppm and that is more than good enough to see if the value gets a little bit lower.

 

[bureau13]

I dont know the actual precision but the resolution is 0,1 ppm and that is more than good enough to see if the value gets a little bit lower.

I just ordered one

 

[bureau13]

Ok, Hanna HR Booster tester acquired, and the answer is.... Blinking 75

So basically what the Salifert kit was showing. I don't get it...

 

[Pod_01]

part of the problem there was globs of bacterial whatever-that-is wasn't able to get through the strainer, which was heavily encrusted. Then when I cranked the return back up, it blew "cobwebs" of that stuff everywhere.

Way back when I started and I tried carbon dosing NOPOX and vinegar etc… I had same issue. I even had bloom, cloudy water. I did not like it at all.

These days I use TM NP Bacto Ballance and have none of those issues. At the same time I do dose lot less like 0.2ml per 52gal. My intention is to feed bacteria and the bacteria feeds the corals.

What I observed long term is that my NO3 dropped, it used to be in the 50+ but my most recent test:

Just my experience.
Maybe less carbon dose long term is more. Maybe TM potion promotes less of the globs. I still get film on the glass.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, Hanna HR Booster tester acquired, and the answer is.... Blinking 75

So basically what the Salifert kit was showing. I don't get it...

How cloudy is the water?

 

[bureau13]

How cloudy is the water?

I would say it's been a little cloudy the last couple days but not excessively so. It's definitely noticeable looking through the tank the long way though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would say it's been a little cloudy the last couple days but not excessively so. It's definitely noticeable looking through the tank the long way though.

I'd personally soldier on for a while and see if the nitrate begins to drop. Have you measure phosphate to be sure it is not too low?