Frustrating Low Nitrates

[stephj03]

Can you post a few pics showing how bad the cyano is and a few examples of your los?

 

[watchguy123]

You should know your phosphate level (even though I hate phosphate measuring kits). If you feed more fish food, you will increase both nitrates and phosphates. However, phosphates can easily exceed your target range by overfeeding. Sometimes just a bit more fish food is the trick but not too much. If your phosphates are low, then you certainly have the option to add more fish food.

It certainly is about developing a diverse population of critters of all sorts as has been mentioned and finding a happy medium/balance point. Things like cyano seem to signify somethings are unbalanced. But if you overreact and respond by too aggressively adding or subtracting to your tank, its easy to overshoot and then start chasing your tail and things can go from bad to worse.

 

[dylandionysius]

What is your phosphate level?
I had to take my skimmer offline and am dosing nitrate and phosphate. But I started with dead rock and had issues with Dino’s and chrysophyte.
Maybe take the skimmer offline Or just take collection cup off and let it run so it still keeps your pH up and see what happens with your NO3 levels. Or get a couple more fish and feed more.

phosphate is about .25! I’ll change up the skimmer to see if it helps.

 

[dylandionysius]

Can you post a few pics showing how bad the cyano is and a few examples of your los?

I’ll try to post something soon, but it’s hard to get on photos because the lighting is so blue.

 

[Marc2952]

What about the risk of dinos from no no3 and po4?

Good question, when i used to have dinos i always noticed that i creasing nitrates and phosphates made them dissapear fast. I heard dinos hate nitrates.

 

[dylandionysius]

Had to switch up lighting to get this to show properly.

my parameters are

salinity:34.5 PPT
Nitrates: 0
Phosphate: .25
Alk: 9.5
Calcium: way too high (500) dosing mishap