Do we have a Zeo guru?

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no difference between 0 and 2 ppb based on their stated uncertainty. 37 ppb is certainly detectably higher, assuming the meter is working correctly.

What did you change in the tank (if anything) between the 37 and the 2? How much time elapsed?

 

[DannyB]

Saturday 10/31 37ppb First attempt with the Hanna
Today 11/05 0-2ppb attempted about 5 minutes apart due to disbelief

I began using coral snow and cyano clean on monday daily at the recommended dose of 1ml per 25 gal and 2 drops per 25 gal respectively. I also put the new skimmer online which didn't produce any skimmate until Tuesday night and really started working last night (Wednesday).

I didn't recheck my results on Saturday because I assumed it was correct and it seemed believable. However, this amount, 37ppb, should have been detectable on the Salifert i believe? Which I never had a reading for.

The Cyano is still present no increase no reduction in the amount. Is 35ppb a lot to have decreased in 5 days?

Is it possible the cyanoclean/coral snow has lowered the phosphorus level to 0-2 and should start starving the cyano soon? Do I need to worry about the phos being too low? Corals are not showing any signs of being upset at
this point.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The coral snow likely exports organic matter, and that can lead to a reduction in phosphate, but yours seems faster and to a bigger extent than I'd expect. The cyano clean is a bacterial additive designed to out-compete the cyano, and I wouldn't expect such a big and rapid drop in phosphate from it either, but I can't say it is impossible.

Yes, 37 ppb phosphorus should be a detectable 0.12 ppm phosphate on other kits like the Salifert.

 

[rovster]

I doubt your first test was on point. Either way cyano is hard to kick and seems to do just fine in lower nutrient environments. Not sure how Randy feels about this but I feel cyano has more to do with a rank imbalance as opposed to an elevated nutrient issue. I've had cyano with no nutrients, no algae whatsoever. I've seen it improve by dosing nitrate but I still am dealing with it. I'm trying A-balance now and elected to not use cyano clean in conjunction. Haven't noticed a difference but then again I reduced the dose substantially. Hope you figure it out. I think if your nutrients are in check, this is one of those things that just have to run its course....IMHO of course....

 

[chriske99]

few points to check when useing Hanna.

they measure with a light beam so everything in between point A (start of the light beam) and B ( end of the light beam) is measured.
also when you have a dirty glass this will contibute to your measurement.

therefore i always use 1 bottel in stead of 2 to do the measurement.
inperfections in the glass can contribute to the result.
i mark the glas on the top en do the calibration and the acual measurement with that mark pointing towards me.
now you measured 2 time the same part of the glass so it can not contribute your result.

if you then also clean your glass very well before each measurement en make sure there are no air bubbles in the test glass the Hanna checker normally is very accured.

for your zeo question
i'm also useing zeo products and had a time ago also cyano but for me doing a weekly dosing of zeozyme with coral snow sloved the problem.
i'm more in favour of useing this in stead of cyano clean because its a product you can keep dosing weekly or every 2 weeks because of the other pleasing effects.

but IMO you first need to get your No3 and Po4 in check like Randy is saying if thats ok then other pruducts can give great benefits but the basics need to be ok fist thats my experiance.

i'm sorry if there are errors in the writing i'm not american

 

[StikHedRon]

Just my opinion here, but the CV is probably fueling the issue. Being 3 months on zeo the tank isn't stable enough for the extra "stuff" yet. Go over to Zeo's forum and read G. Alexander's sticky's the first 6 months is all about achieving that bacterial stability and lowering nutrients. I am new also to zeo but on top of the big 4, I dose 1/4 tsp ZZ 2x a week, 5ml of A-Balance 2x a week and 10ml CS 2x a week to help combat any cyano/algae issues from starting, I'm thinking about adding Biomate down the road also.

Edit: my tank net water volume is about 120-125 gals