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]

not assuming just going from the information given by the op

Actually read the OP, no idea how I missed the 0 phosphate comment? HAd to go back and read it, and there it was. LOL my bad.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

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

Probably the wrong time to make that joke... At least in the US
(And yes, I'm another girl on the internet )

 

[Reefer_punk]

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

Sorry girl ✌. I would advise red sea pro or the hanna phosphorus ulr checker for testing phosphates. That is the only salifert who isn't that accurate, especially when po4 hits the lower range.

 

[homer1475]

Probably the wrong time to make that joke... At least in the US
(And yes, I'm another girl on the internet )

I'm to old to care about that carp.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Actually read the OP, no idea how I missed the 0 phosphate comment? HAd to go back and read it, and there it was. LOL my bad.

That happens to me A lot to

 

[Pelagikos]

Sorry girl ✌. I would advise red sea pro or the hanna phosphorus ulr checker for testing phosphates. That is the only salifert who isn't that accurate, especially when po4 hits the lower range.

Ha! No worries xD I have a Hanna ULR phos. Guess I'll be using more often now. Thanks a bunch!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm to old to care about that carp.

Too old to care about basic rights...?
Ok.
Not going to take this thread any farther off topic.

 

[homer1475]

FWIW, go slow with lowering them. They didn't get that high overnight, and your corals are used to it(judging by the tank pics). If you drop them too fast, your corals will not like it.

 

[homer1475]

Too old to care about basic rights...?
Ok.
Not going to take this thread any farther off topic.

Whats basic rights got to do with making a no woman on the internet joke?

Maybe I'm just missing the connection here?

Apparently I think you mean something you dont?

 

[Pelagikos]

Actually read the OP, no idea how I missed the 0 phosphate comment? HAd to go back and read it, and there it was. LOL my bad.

FWIW, go slow with lowering them. They didn't get that high overnight, and your corals are used to it(judging by the tank pics). If you drop them too fast, your corals will not like it.

That's what I figured, hence the reason I only do about 5 gallons at a time. Also always, stability stability stability... but that number is just way too high.

 

[jda]

Is your tank new like your user? Maybe bad to assume...

If it is, then wait for the rock and sand to develop anoxic bacteria to complete the N cycle and the no3 will fall on their own. This can take some time in a new tank and even long in a tank with no/limited sand and dead/dry rock since the insides of the rock where the anoxic bacteria need to live are often filled with dead/caked organic material.

 

[Pelagikos]

Is your tank new like your user? Maybe bad to assume...

If it is, then wait for the rock and sand to develop anoxic bacteria to complete the N cycle and the no3 will fall on their own. This can take some time in a new tank and even long in a tank with no/limited sand and dead/dry rock since the insides of the rock where the anoxic bacteria need to live are often filled with dead/caked organic material.

Some rock was from a previous tank. Caribsea LifeRock. Some of it was new and was seeded with bacteria last November, when this tank was cycled. Great point, but it's not BRAND new...just young.

 

[jda]

I am not sure what LifeRock is whether it be concrete, coated with epoxy, or otherwise probably made made/altered in some way and not real aragonite. As such, the sand will have to likely do all of the denitrification, which will come in time if you leave it alone to develop oxic and anoxic areas. Keep on doing your routine stuff and it will happen soon enough.

 

[Pelagikos]

Life rock by Caribsea is the ecologically approved essential for aquariums and tanks. These rocks are manmade; however, they do not affect natural resources.

More specifically, it is an alternative to wild live rock, which means it requires no curing, no cement. This type of rock is made from an aragonite base rock. It is quite similar to the composition of real live rock.

Moreover, each of the Caribsea rocks includes a network of micro and macropores. As soon as it is placed in the place, all its dormant bacteria come alive and start colonizing and speed up the cycling process.

I am not sure what LifeRock is whether it be concrete, coated with epoxy, or otherwise probably made made/altered in some way and not real aragonite. As such, the sand will have to likely do all of the denitrification, which will come in time if you leave it alone to develop oxic and anoxic areas. Keep on doing your routine stuff and it will happen soon enough.

Per Expert Aquarist.com

 

[xhcl]

I have been fighting a similar situation for years. At one point my tank had nitrates possibly in the 200+ range that would not budge but undetectable phosphates. No macro algae would grow and carbon sources like nopox had no effect. After reading a lot of chemistry discussions here I decided to try dosing a Phosphate solution. I have been dosing phosphate and NoPox daily for about 4 months now and have finally seen my nitrates lower from about 130ppm to around 50 right now.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Need to increase phosphate in order for nitrate to be used / consumed as others have mentioned neo phos by brightwell is what I would use and dump the skimmate back into the tank if you have a skimmer free phosphate! Lol

 

[Pelagikos]

I have been fighting a similar situation for years. At one point my tank had nitrates possibly in the 200+ range that would not budge but undetectable phosphates. No macro algae would grow and carbon sources like nopox had no effect. After reading a lot of chemistry discussions here I decided to try dosing a Phosphate solution. I have been dosing phosphate and NoPox daily for about 4 months now and have finally seen my nitrates lower from about 130ppm to around 50 right now.

Fantastic! I am measuring my phosphate daily with my Hannah checker and dosing neophos as well as nopox. That does give me some hope!
Just in the couple of days that I've been doing so, I can definitely see my corals are already happier!

 

[Pelagikos]

Need to increase phosphate in order for nitrate to be used / consumed as others have mentioned neo phos by brightwell is what I would use and dump the skimmate back into the tank if you have a skimmer free phosphate! Lol

Been dosing Brightwell Neophos and Nopox for a few days now. *Fingers crossed*

 

[Trouble1375]

Glad I came in a read this thread (female reefer also) and my Nitrates are around 170 (Hanna HR with 90% diluted sample) but Phosphates are in the 0.06 (Hanna) range. I have been dosing NoPox to no avail. I will add NeoPhos to the routine as I already have it on hand. My ATS is growing like crazy (cleaning the screen 2-3 times a week). My corals appear happy, except the euphyllia which are slowy losing heads) but the number is driving me nuts on the nitrates.

 

[Pelagikos]

Glad I came in a read this thread (female reefer also) and my Nitrates are around 170 (Hanna HR with 90% diluted sample) but Phosphates are in the 0.06 (Hanna) range. I have been dosing NoPox to no avail. I will add NeoPhos to the routine as I already have it on hand. My ATS is growing like crazy (cleaning the screen 2-3 times a week). My corals appear happy, except the euphyllia which are slowy losing heads) but the number is driving me nuts on the nitrates.

Definitely add the Neophos, but slowly. Maybe half a dose.. it's very potent. You will have to monitor every 24 hours so that you know how much your Coral is using in a day. Then calculate your maintenance dose. Everyone that I have spoken to, says that your nitrates won't budge without water changes or adding phos. Your corals need it too for metabolics. Best luck to ya!!