High Phos little to none Nitrates

[hhaase]

What happens when the Alk is high and nitrates are so low?

Not really related to each other.

High alk will affect your ph, calcium, and magnesium though.

 

[Mattdavid121]

Might sou

Not really related to each other.

High alk will affect your ph, calcium, and magnesium though.

nd dumb, what about adding “one and only”

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Not really related to each other.

High alk will affect your ph, calcium, and magnesium though.

From another thread, post by Randy Holmes-Farley:
The conversion of ammonia to nitrate depletes alkalinity, so if nitrate is rising, then alkalinity can be depleted by this process.
The consumption of nitrate by any process (except a water change) gives back the exact amount of alkalinity when it was made. So if nitrate is declining, that process will add to alkalinity.

So if nitrate is steady, and is coming from ammonia, then it should not impact the alkalinity.

If you are dosing nitrate that is being consumed, that is effectively boosting alkalinity a small amount.

 

[hhaase]

From another thread, post by Randy Holmes-Farley:
The conversion of ammonia to nitrate depletes alkalinity, so if nitrate is rising, then alkalinity can be depleted by this process.
The consumption of nitrate by any process (except a water change) gives back the exact amount of alkalinity when it was made. So if nitrate is declining, that process will add to alkalinity.

So if nitrate is steady, and is coming from ammonia, then it should not impact the alkalinity.

If you are dosing nitrate that is being consumed, that is effectively boosting alkalinity a small amount.

So if he's currently suffering from high Alk, then raising nitrate will be a win-win as long as they're both handled at a controlled rate.

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

This what I use to raise nitrates works well and cheap.

 

[homer1475]

I know @Randy Holmes-Farley will not agree with me(he doubts the purity, and rightly so), but neo-nitro from brightwell is just so easy to use.

No mixing, just pour a measured amount into the tank for a pretty consistent dosing.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

So if he's currently suffering from high Alk, then raising nitrate will be a win-win as long as they're both handled at a controlled rate.

Actually, no. When nitrates are formed from existing ammonia in the tank, alk can go down. Adding nitrates from other sources can raise alk. I don't think it's a significant amount and shouldn't necessarily be a factor, but there is a relationship nonetheless.

You missed the last part: If you are dosing nitrate that is being consumed, that is effectively boosting alkalinity a small amount.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Hello everyone, need some help here. feeding about 2 times a day, running a UV, refugium and skimmer right now. have enough livestock in the tank, SPS corals are not liking what is going on. My phosphates currently at 0.09 when they're usually .3. My Nitrates are however 0.0 on both HR hanna and red sea test kit. My question is, how do I lower phosphates but raise nitraes a little? I did a big WC two days ago. wondering why my SPS are not liking what is going on in tank. Thanks, happy reefing

So, did phosphate go from .3 to .09 or .03 to .09?

 

[Mattdavid121]

So, did phosphate go from .3 to .09 or .03 to .09?

0.03 to 0.09

 

[ReefGeezer]

0.03 to 0.09

Do you know if your nitrates will stay low or go back up once you back off of carbon dosing? Maybe slowing down would help. Wait and see what happens. .09 isn't terrible. It's the change that causes the stress.

 

[Mattdavid121]

Hey everyone update here: after using neonitro. Within48 hours of a small capful, I’m up to 1.8 nitrates. My phosphates are now 0.09 when they were up to 0.13 at one point. My sps corals are looking happier again. Hoping I can get the nitrates to get up to at least .3 also, I’ve noticed a drop in my Alk as the nitrates rise.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What happens when the Alk is high and nitrates are so low?

Some SPS can get burnt tips with higher alk and insufficient nutrients, possibly from the skeleton growing faster than tissue can keep up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Potassium nitrate and neonitro are common methods

If you are not monitoring potassium, I think that food grade sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate are much better options.

 

[hhaase]

Hey everyone update here: after using neonitro. Within48 hours of a small capful, I’m up to 1.8 nitrates. My phosphates are now 0.09 when they were up to 0.13 at one point. My sps corals are looking happier again. Hoping I can get the nitrates to get up to at least .3 also, I’ve noticed a drop in my Alk as the nitrates rise.

Good to hear!

Just make sure to continue to monitor your nitrate levels, particularly if you continue to dose. Remember that having a stable presence of nitrate is probably more critical than hitting a magic number. It's nice to have "enough", but not if it's jumping all over the place. So be deliberate when steering it into your target range.

Randy does make great points too that if you're going to be dosing long term, to look into different dosing ingredients. You're fine with what you've done so far but his advice is worth heeding.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Sodium nitrate is also good.

*edit : darn you Randy!!!!!!! (Not really)

 

[Mattdavid121]

Good to hear!

Just make sure to continue to monitor your nitrate levels, particularly if you continue to dose. Remember that having a stable presence of nitrate is probably more critical than hitting a magic number. It's nice to have "enough", but not if it's jumping all over the place. So be deliberate when steering it into your target range.

Randy does make great points too that if you're going to be dosing long term, to look into different dosing ingredients. You're fine with what you've done so far but his advice is worth heeding.

It’s moving in a slow direction. Checking the parameters every 24 via no3 and phos. I cleaned up the refugium, lowered the intensity of the lights. Maybe add a little more livestock. I’m starting to not become a fan of “reef roids”