HIGH nitrate and High PHOSPHATE

[Reeferz123]

Hey guys I need some help here. Getting an extremely high reading on both phosphate and nitrate but no algae at all.

I am using URL Hanna checker for phosphate with is reading 200 which if I am doing the conversion that's 0.65ppm.

Using the Red Sea Nitrate turntable and getting a reading between 32-64 PPM High range.

Question I have is does this make sense for these numbers to be soo high and no algae. Mainly a zoa tank so nothing seems to be suffering. I did notice a little slow growth in some zoas.

 

[dansreef]

Yes. It can depend on a bunch of factors... like age of tank.... and lighting... and ......etc... I have seen and even had a tank with numbers through the roof and no real problems with algae.

My suggestion is to not get too reactive or really concerned. It is a good idea to bring them down. Start by just cutting back on your feeding regimine and plan for some water changes. This should help export nutrients. If it doesn't then you can do other things like Chaeto or an Algae Reactor....

 

[Coralreefer1]

I would perform a water change(s) and try to get those numbers reduced. With those elevated numbers it’s not a question of IF but WHEN will I start to see algae blooms. Are you feeding a lot? How about your ammonia and nitrites? Have you tested those just for piece of mind. Are you skimming? Are you using bioballs as a biological form of filtration?

By the way...WELCOME TO R2R!
Best of luck to you and your endeavors, both, here and within the hobby!

 

[cooltowncorals]

It’s possible wait 24 hours and test again if they remain that high I would guess you will see nuisance algae at some point when it starts it will be one small patch and then covering the tank in a few weeks so keep an eye out.

 

[RobZilla04]

If there is no sign of algae or other problems, why do anything at all?

Many tanks run at what is generally considered high N & P these days.

 

[Reeferz123]

I was feeding heavy both reef roids and coral frenzy- I cut back this week and will test again after doing a water change.

I do have a chateo reactor but for some odd reason my cheato doesnt really grow.

Have not tested for nitrate but will test when i get home today.

No bio ball but i am running a skimmer.

I have a GFO reactoer which i was planning on running to bring down phosphate levels.

Also have a Korallin BioDenitrator Nitrate S-1502 that i never used contemplating on whether i should set that up for nitrate.

Thanks!

 

[RobZilla04]

With regard to the chaeto, do you have the right spectrum of light and flow for it to grow? Obviously the nutrients appear to be there.

I wouldn't do anything drastic to bring down those levels. Water change and skim a little more wet then take it from there.

 

[Reeferz123]

With regard to the chaeto, do you have the right spectrum of light and flow for it to grow? Obviously the nutrients appear to be there.

I wouldn't do anything drastic to bring down those levels. Water change and skim a little more wet then take it from there.

I have some cheap amazon led strip wrapped around the reactor is there led strip you recommend.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Is the 200 flashing on the Hanna ULR checker? That is the highest it will read, and if it is flashing 200, it means that you tested above the scale, so PO4 is actually higher.

 

[Brew12]

I had a similar problem with chaeto not growing. I was iron limited. Once I started dosing iron my chaeto took off and nutrients dropped.

 

[Reeferz123]

I had a similar problem with chaeto not growing. I was iron limited. Once I started dosing iron my chaeto took off and nutrients dropped.

what are you using to test for iron.

Wouldn't iron be replenished with water change?

 

[Brew12]

what are you using to test for iron.

Wouldn't iron be replenished with water change?

I use the Redsea Iron Pro test kit. It comes with the trace element test kit they make.

It will, but in my case the Redsea blue bucket salt wasn't adding enough. It'd get a little growth after a water change but not a lot.

 

[Reeferz123]

I use the Redsea Iron Pro test kit. It comes with the trace element test kit they make.

It will, but in my case the Redsea blue bucket salt wasn't adding enough. It'd get a little growth after a water change but not a lot.

makes sense.