Diatom problems,,, not getting any better

[aquablizz]

Thanks Dana,,, I have only a couple snails at this point but never considered a conch... at one time I had 6 snails but a couple died out back behind the rock where I could not see them... Of course this then created a pollution problem so I'm always skeptical about putting clean up crew critters in my display tank. I'm trying to stay positive on this reef BS hoping to turn things around but after having and enjoying a fish only system for all these year, it's very hard to enjoy my system any longer for fear of a total crash... there is a saying,,,, IF IT'S NOT BROKE, DON'T FIX IT which I guess I did not follow.. LOL

Thinking of shutting down my protein skimmer for a bit...

blizz

 

[aquablizz]

I always though the goal was to have zero nitrates and near zero phosphates,,,, now I'm hearing that's not true... is it possible to increase the nitrates without adversely affecting the phosphates,,,, I did know that was possible...

blizz

 

[Brew12]

I always though the goal was to have zero nitrates and near zero phosphates,,,, now I'm hearing that's not true... is it possible to increase the nitrates without adversely affecting the phosphates,,,, I did know that was possible...

blizz

I think there was a school of thought that ULNS were the way to go. For most non-expert reef keepers, it seems to be a disaster in the waiting.

There is evidence that keeping nitrates above 3ppm will inhibit the ability for cyanobacteria to establish mats.

Adam from Battlecorals wrote this which I feel is worth a read for people worried about phosphates.
https://battlecorals.com/blogs/blog/185869191-phosphate-ramblings

And if you need some reassurance that nutrients are not your enemy, this is a great read. The author compiles the chemistry readings from some very well respected reefers and shares them.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tank-parameters-of-some-masters.263/

 

[aquablizz]

wow, what an eye opener... I am definitely going to relax some on my parameters and see if things begin to straighten out. Prior to moving into the reefing realm, I was pretty much coasting for years with a fish only system.. Used a sump/fuge for filter and never ever checked for phosphates, basically relying on monthly water changes of 20%. My system ran and looked great on it's own but nooo, I had to make things a nightmare pain in the neck.. First thing I did wrong was try to improve too many things in a short span of time.. New LED lights,, more rock in both the display and sump, a better protein skimmer,, and also a RODI system. All this was done within a two month span and I have to say it's been a struggle ever since... One positive thing,, the fish have never been happier but then again, I have never been more disgusted.

After reading the R2R article on reef parameters, I noticed that the po4 range on these beautiful systems seems to average anywhere from .02 to .2... Are these measurement's ppB or ppM.. ???

 

[Brew12]

wow, what an eye opener... I am definitely going to relax some on my parameters and see if things begin to straighten out. Prior to moving into the reefing realm, I was pretty much coasting for years with a fish only system.. Used a sump/fuge for filter and never ever checked for phosphates, basically relying on monthly water changes of 20%. My system ran and looked great on it's own but nooo, I had to make things a nightmare pain in the neck.. First thing I did wrong was try to improve too many things in a short span of time.. New LED lights,, more rock in both the display and sump, a better protein skimmer,, and also a RODI system. All this was done within a two month span and I have to say it's been a struggle ever since... One positive thing,, the fish have never been happier but then again, I have never been more disgusted.

I know my biggest problem when I started was that I paid too much attention to my test kits and not enough attention to what my tank was telling me. I bought 2 part, put in GFO, and a few other unnecessary things when I first started for no other reason than I was told they were things good reefers did. Killed plenty of corals doing that. Now, I spend more time watching my tank. I have and use test kits, but I have a much better idea of what information they provide. Other than maintaining alk and calc I only respond to the other tests if I see a symptom in my tank that bothers me.