Denitrifying bacteria - when will they die?

[TastyScrants]

How long will it take for denitrifying bacteria to die off after ceasing carbon dosing?

I stopped using NOPOX a few weeks ago when my N and P hit 0.

I have a 150L tank
9 fish
Lots of coral
Feed pellets once a day, masstick on alternate days, and 2x frozen cubes covered in selcon every day.
I also feed reef energy once a day but recently started using phytoplankton too.

Here’s what my readings have been for the last few days. Nitrate is tested using Nyos and confirmed with salifert. Phosphate is testing using Hanna ULR and confirmed with salifert.

Date. Phos. Nitrate.
11/12. 0.04. >0<1
12/12. NT. >0<1
13/12. 0.00. >0<1. Green film algae
14/12. NT. >1<2.5 salifert
15/12. 0.00. >0<1 56g phosgard added
16/12. NT. NT
17/12. 0.00. >0<1 green film algae still there
18/12. 0.00. >0<1

What else could be causing denitrification?

I have a heavy bioload and heavy feeding. I’ve got a load of marine pure in the sump for nitrification. I don’t use any mechanical filtration I just have a cheato refugium which has only been in use since 16/12.

I can understand the P reading at 0.00 with the green film algae. But nitrates constantly 0??

What am I missing?

 

[HomebroodExotics]

Denitrification can occur naturally with your bio media. Carbon dosing just speeds it up. You can feed more or turn off skimmers etc to increase nutrients. Algae and everything else in the tank will consume nutrients like you said too.

 

[Dan_P]

How long will it take for denitrifying bacteria to die off after ceasing carbon dosing?

I stopped using NOPOX a few weeks ago when my N and P hit 0.

I have a 150L tank
9 fish
Lots of coral
Feed pellets once a day, masstick on alternate days, and 2x frozen cubes covered in selcon every day.
I also feed reef energy once a day but recently started using phytoplankton too.

Here’s what my readings have been for the last few days. Nitrate is tested using Nyos and confirmed with salifert. Phosphate is testing using Hanna ULR and confirmed with salifert.

Date. Phos. Nitrate.
11/12. 0.04. >0<1
12/12. NT. >0<1
13/12. 0.00. >0<1. Green film algae
14/12. NT. >1<2.5 salifert
15/12. 0.00. >0<1 56g phosgard added
16/12. NT. NT
17/12. 0.00. >0<1 green film algae still there
18/12. 0.00. >0<1

What else could be causing denitrification?

I have a heavy bioload and heavy feeding. I’ve got a load of marine pure in the sump for nitrification. I don’t use any mechanical filtration I just have a cheato refugium which has only been in use since 16/12.

I can understand the P reading at 0.00 with the green film algae. But nitrates constantly 0??

What am I missing?

You are using Phosguard and it is probably one reason you don’t have detectable phosphate.

What are you trying to accomplish?

 

[TastyScrants]

You are using Phosguard and it is probably one reason you don’t have detectable phosphate.

What are you trying to accomplish?

Trying to starve out the green film algae.

Aiming to get some detectable nitrate and phosphate at low levels.

 

[TastyScrants]

Denitrification can occur naturally with your bio media. Carbon dosing just speeds it up. You can feed more or turn off skimmers etc to increase nutrients. Algae and everything else in the tank will consume nutrients like you said too.

Removed my skimmer last week, and started feeding more a few weeks ago! I guess I’ll start feeding even more.

 

[HomebroodExotics]

Removed my skimmer last week, and started feeding more a few weeks ago! I guess I’ll start feeding even more.

Your fish are going to be so excited. I don't know if you mentioned this already but it might be a good idea to get some different test kits to make sure your testing is accurate before going to crazy.

 

[TastyScrants]

Your fish are going to be so excited. I don't know if you mentioned this already but it might be a good idea to get some different test kits to make sure your testing is accurate before going to crazy.

Thanks. I’ve used two different Salifert kits and later bought the Nyos nitrate test as my first concern was unreliable testing.

I’ll just keep piling the food in.

 

[Saltyanimals]

Watch your aluminum levels when using phosguard. Read up on that.