Help: P04 and N03 deficit

[Lasse]

Is this a morning test - before the light start?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was going to dose tonight, but when I checked my levels, my numbers are weird. My N03 is still the same, between 2 and 3, and my P04 went up to 0.03. Is this common? I checked twice.

I'm not sure how "common" it is, or whether it is real or just test error, but it isn't a problem in any case.

 

[sil40sx]

Is this a morning test - before the light start?

Sincerely Lasse

I don’t have time to do it in the morning, I consistently do my testing at 10pm at night, all the time.

I'm not sure how "common" it is, or whether it is real or just test error, but it isn't a problem in any case.

Ah ok thanks. I was just worried because the KN03 I dosed for the first two days was all depleted/consumed in 24 hours.

Actually could it be because I dosed P04 as well that’s why it stopped consuming? And/or because I fed additional 1 cube a day and fed reef roids for 3 consecutive days?

 

[Lasse]

OK - I asked because if you test during early morning - you will normally have a higher PO4 reading (if you do not have reversed lighting on your ATS or fuge) because of bacteria production and no consumption from photosynthesis. If it was the NO3 level you was asking about - In my experiences - it often happens that way - zero and after that a reading of some NO3. But confirm the readings in one or two days. In this low concentrations - it is often as Randy says - a test error.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sil40sx]

Ah ok, thanks. But should I stopped dosing since I have readings?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Ah ok, thanks. But should I stopped dosing since I have readings?

Are you still using Vibrant to get rid of your GHA? If so, doesn't Vibrant bind the NO3 and PO4 so that the algae can't use it? Wouldn't the Vibrant bind whatever you are dosing and continue to cause you to have low or 0 readings?

Just wondering if you are working against yourself by trying to solve multiple issues at once.

 

[sil40sx]

Are you still using Vibrant to get rid of your GHA? If so, doesn't Vibrant bind the NO3 and PO4 so that the algae can't use it? Wouldn't the Vibrant bind whatever you are dosing and continue to cause you to have low or 0 readings?

Just wondering if you are working against yourself by trying to solve multiple issues at once.

I stopped couple days ago. I didn’t want to have conflicts with the stuff I dose.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ah ok, thanks. But should I stopped dosing since I have readings?

When you get where you want, I'd slow down or stop dosing. Only more future testing will say how much is desirable each day or however often you choose to dose.

 

[sil40sx]

What would be highest I can go based on my initial readings?

 

[Lasse]

My whished levels is between 0.05 to 0.1 ppm PO4 and between 2 - 5 ppm NO3. And no panic if I get higher - just stopping the dosing. I have a mixed reef with a lot of softies and LPS. See my build thread. other persons have other limits.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sil40sx]

Ah ok, thanks. I'll try those numbers and see how it goes.

 

[sil40sx]

@Randy Holmes-Farley , @Lasse

My numbers are still the same without dosing yesterday night, so I wont dose again tonight. P04 is 0.03, and N03 is 3. All I did yesterday and the day before was fed 3 cubes, and fed reef roids. If these readings are still the same tomorrow night, do you guys think by adding the extra cube per day and daily feeding of reef roids gave me appropriate P04 and N03 levels?

On another note, I had to reduce 2ml of Alk dosing because my Alk level went up by 0.5 today. It's been a while since I have to make adjustment on my Alk dosing. Usually I add 1 0r 2 ml after a month or so, but this time I have to lower it. Is it because I have higher P04 and N03? Are these two have anything to do with it?

Also, I can see some kind of algae (cyano?) starting to grow on the sand, around the rocks. It's one thing after another. !&$#@ Ugh

Not my picture, but looks exactly like this, just fewer, and enough to notice.

 

[Lasse]

It looks like cyanobacteria and I´m little bit surprised. When I first give you the advice how to dosing - I did not realize that you had have use Vibrant. I miss that in your first post. I have no idea of what it what it contains and if it in on or another way will affect the result of dosing.

Normally - when I see this type of cyanobacteria - I ask for nutrient levels because it use to be a connection with zero values and a bloom of cyanobacteria - IMO. Here it looks like it is the opposite. If something unexpected happens, I always try to validate my readings through some other tests but in this case most of the evidence indicates that the values can be correct and that something has happened to growth. What to do? I´m normally advise to try to remove the mats each evening, hence minimize the biomass of them. If possible - reuse the water. I also think it is harmless to stirr them away without taking them out just in order to take away the mats. The mats is their key to success IMO. However - I have not personally test that. However - I would still check the nutrients levels and adjust them if they became to low. I would also take down the feedings because if it will be an overfeed - cyanobacteria can make use of overfeeding IMO. You will probably get other advices but this is the best I can give your beside patience and that it will take some time.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sil40sx]

It looks like cyanobacteria and I´m little bit surprised. When I first give you the advice how to dosing - I did not realize that you had have use Vibrant. I miss that in your first post. I have no idea of what it what it contains and if it in on or another way will affect the result of dosing.

Normally - when I see this type of cyanobacteria - I ask for nutrient levels because it use to be a connection with zero values and a bloom of cyanobacteria - IMO. Here it looks like it is the opposite. If something unexpected happens, I always try to validate my readings through some other tests but in this case most of the evidence indicates that the values can be correct and that something has happened to growth. What to do? I´m normally advise to try to remove the mats each evening, hence minimize the biomass of them. If possible - reuse the water. I also think it is harmless to stirr them away without taking them out just in order to take away the mats. The mats is their key to success IMO. However - I have not personally test that. However - I would still check the nutrients levels and adjust them if they became to low. I would also take down the feedings because if it will be an overfeed - cyanobacteria can make use of overfeeding IMO. You will probably get other advices but this is the best I can give your beside patience and that it will take some time.

Sincerely Lasse

I don't remember if I mentioned in this thread that I stopped dosing Vibrant. The algae is still negligible, I can try sucking it with turkey baster or blowing it off. We'll see tomorrow how it will look like.

You mean to say go back to my regular feedings, and keep dosing KN03 and P04 if levels go back to zero, instead of feeding more?

 

[Lasse]

I´m not sure on this but my way of thinking is that if you get an overfeeding, you will have surplus organic matter that your system not will manage at this time - hence it can be boosters for the Cyano. The aim with rise the feeding is to rise the nutrients - by dose them separately - you have a better control and do not risk any backslash with surplus organic matter.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sil40sx]

edit: Ooops, I did mentioned that I stopped dosing vibrant few post above

I stopped couple days ago. I didn’t want to have conflicts with the stuff I dose.

 

[sil40sx]

I´m not sure on this but my way of thinking is that if you get an overfeeding, you will have surplus organic matter that your system not will manage at this time - hence it can be boosters for the Cyano. The aim with rise the feeding is too rise the nutrients - by dose them separately - you have a better control and do not risk any backslash with surplus organic matter.

Sincerely Lasse

That makes sense.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

You just need to pick a path and stick with it for a few weeks and see how your tank reacts. If you want to dose, follow what @Randy Holmes-Farley and @Lasse are telling you, but don't expect to see a difference in your tank right away.

If you decide to feed more, either by feeding your fish or adding a coral food, do the same thing. Keep testing your water and give it a few weeks to see how the tank responds.

You may get a little cyano or algae. As long as it is manageable, let your tank settle out and it will find a balance. You just need to pick a path and stick with it. Don't chase minor issues that may arise with the change, and be patient. If your keep changing tactics, it will be hard to pinpoint what really worked for you.

 

[Lasse]

You just need to pick a path and stick with it for a few weeks and see how your tank reacts. If you want to dose, follow what @Randy Holmes-Farley and @Lasse are telling you, but don't expect to see a difference in your tank right away.

If you decide to feed more, either by feeding your fish or adding a coral food, do the same thing. Keep testing your water and give it a few weeks to see how the tank responds.

You may get a little cyano or algae. As long as it is manageable, let your tank settle out and it will find a balance. You just need to pick a path and stick with it. Don't chase minor issues that may arise with the change, and be patient. If your keep changing tactics, it will be hard to pinpoint what really worked for you.

+1

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sil40sx]

You just need to pick a path and stick with it for a few weeks and see how your tank reacts. If you want to dose, follow what @Randy Holmes-Farley and @Lasse are telling you, but don't expect to see a difference in your tank right away.

If you decide to feed more, either by feeding your fish or adding a coral food, do the same thing. Keep testing your water and give it a few weeks to see how the tank responds.

You may get a little cyano or algae. As long as it is manageable, let your tank settle out and it will find a balance. You just need to pick a path and stick with it. Don't chase minor issues that may arise with the change, and be patient. If your keep changing tactics, it will be hard to pinpoint what really worked for you.

I would love that too. I like watching my fish eats. Haha

I already started feeding reef roids and fuel for 3 consecutive days now. I’ll add one more frozen cube on their daily diet

IMO - You have empty all of your stored nutrient - the consumption of nutrients from your corals and algae are larger than the input and production. Therefore - it will take some time before you are able to see anything in the water column - everything you add will be consumed directly.
Sincerely Lasse

When you get where you want, I'd slow down or stop dosing. Only more future testing will say how much is desirable each day or however often you choose to dose.

As you can see from the day I posted this, I already started feeding more, and initially dosed because I didn’t see an improvement on my levels. But on the next day that my levels stayed on the levels I want, I stopped dosing like randy and lasse suggested. I want to be consistent as much as possible, but I’m already on my target levels that’s why I already stopped dosing. That’s why I was asking Lasse last night if which is more better, dosing or feeding more.

I agree with the algae, I’ll try removing it manually.

Thanks