Continued ex high Nitrate zero phosphate?

[Pelagikos]

Hi just as the title says I am continually running a 100 plus nitrates and cannot seem to lower them. My phosphates constantly read zero or near zero. Any guesses as what might be going on here, or what I can do differently?
I've included a picture of the API test but my salifert also gives me the same basic results for both parameters. Rodi water used, afraid to do more than 10%wc at a time for stability. Using Bright well NeoMarine.
All other levels:
Ph 8
Calc 450
Alk 8.5
Mag 1335
Am 0-.25
(Cannot seem to eliminate it using microbacter7 and nopox)
ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ‍

 

[homer1475]

Nitrite number?

You do know any presence of nitrites, will show abnormally high nitrates?

FWIW, that is 0 on the API test.

 

[Pelagikos]

Nitrite number?

You do know any presence of nitrites, will show abnormally high nitrates?

FWIW, that is 0 on the API test.

0-0.1+-, & no.. had no idea! Could that low number really affect it that much? I do realize they're closely related and know that it can affect the test a little but it just seems like such a broad difference.

 

[homer1475]

Not a chance that low number is throwing the nitrate test off.

Have a phosphate number?

There are many ways to lower the nitrates. Carbon dosing, large WC's, reduce feeding, etc, etc.

 

[sixty_reefer]

You need to add phosphates, nitrates won’t go down until you have detectable phosphates

 

[Reefer_punk]

You need to add phosphates, nitrates won’t go down until you have detectable phosphates

I agree! And some more reliable testkits too.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Am 0-.25
(Cannot seem to eliminate it using microbacter7 and nopox)

I suspect your ammo is 0. In a cycled tank, when using the API ammonia test, I consider any color between 0 and .25 as 0.

 

[homer1475]

You need to add phosphates, nitrates won’t go down until you have detectable phosphates

I agree! And some more reliable testkits too.

.......And your both just ASSUMING he doesn't have high phosphates either. We all know what happens when people assume.

Kind of why I asked if he had a phosphate number.

IMO, nothing wrong with API for a general idea of what your numbers are. If you want more precision, then get better test kits.

 

[Pelagikos]

I agree! And some more reliable testkits too.

These are my go to tests. I actually was just double checking with Seachem

nitrate test as well as an API.

 

[Pelagikos]

I suspect your ammo is 0. In a cycled tank, when using the API ammonia test, I consider any color between 0 and .25 as 0.

That makes me feel better

 

[Pelagikos]

.......And your both just ASSUMING he doesn't have high phosphates either. We all know what happens when people assume.

Kind of why I asked if he had a phosphate number.

IMO, nothing wrong with API for a general idea of what your numbers are. If you want more precision, then get better test kits.

SHE lol is using Salifert always, just double checking with some different backups. My phos is 0-.03

 

[Reefer_punk]

.......And your both just ASSUMING he doesn't have high phosphates either. We all know what happens when people assume.

Kind of why I asked if he had a phosphate number.

IMO, nothing wrong with API for a general idea of what your numbers are. If you want more precision, then get better test kits.

TS says his phosphates are showing zero or almost zero. In both cases too low to lower nitrates. Want to ramp phosphates slowly up to .08/0.1

 

[homer1475]

Sorry SHE..... The screen name doesn't show gender, sorry.

With that low number< i would be dosing phosphates, and carbon dosing.

 

[Pelagikos]

Sorry SHE..... The screen name doesn't show gender, sorry.

With that low number< i would be dosing phosphates, and carbon dosing.

Just razzin' ya. Ok I'll start with phosphates. Any suggestions? Red sea, since I'm using nopox? Thanks for your help

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

That makes me feel better

Yeah, I'm not sure why they read that way... I almost never got a straight yellow color.

 

[homer1475]

Many, many sources of phosphates.

Seachem flourish is one, neophos by brightwell is another, as well as potassium phosphate. Up to you to really decide which route you want to go.

 

[Pelagikos]

Yeah, I'm not sure why they read that way... I almost never got a straight yellow color.

It does throw you off but I think it has something to do with the amount of ammonium (not ammonia) naturally present? I've heard it reads as ammonia but I can't be quoted on it. Don't remember exactly where I read it, but I still hate showing any other color than yellow LOL! Thanks for your help

 

[sixty_reefer]

.......And your both just ASSUMING he doesn't have high phosphates either. We all know what happens when people assume.

Kind of why I asked if he had a phosphate number.

IMO, nothing wrong with API for a general idea of what your numbers are. If you want more precision, then get better test kits.

not assuming just going from the information given by the op

 

[Pelagikos]

Many, many sources of phosphates.

Seachem flourish is one, neophos by brightwell is another, as well as potassium phosphate. Up to you to really decide which route you want to go.

Gotcha. Thanks again! I'll continue my small water changes and start to dose some phosphate... see what happens.

 

[homer1475]

SHE lol is using Salifert always, just double checking with some different backups. My phos is 0-.03

Just razzin' ya. Ok I'll start with phosphates. Any suggestions? Red sea, since I'm using nopox? Thanks for your help

LOL lies all lies! Everyone knows there are no girls on the internet!