High phosphates and low nitrate

[thatindonesianreefer]

So i’ve had this issue for quite a while now. My phosphates are currently sitting at 0.6 ppm and nitrates at 5 ppm. Hanna lr for phos and salifert for no3

 

[exnisstech]

Are your corals happy?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd personally recommend lowering phosphate. The nitrate is fine. GFO is a fine way to slowly lower phosphate, but there are other ways that work well too.

What sorts of nutrient export methods do you now use?

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

Are your corals happy?

Some are doing well while some aren’t

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

I'd personally recommend lowering phosphate. The nitrate is fine. GFO is a fine way to slowly lower phosphate, but there are other ways that work well too.

What sorts of nutrient export methods do you now use?

A nano protien skimmer (bubble magus mini q), filter pads (changed every 3 days), and weekly 10% water changes

 

[buruskeee]

Same thing is happening with me, my PO4 shot up to 0.29 from 0.15 in a week and my NO3 tanked (with my daily dosing which kept it steady for a month) from 12 to 1 in that same week.

I feel like the introduction of my Leopard wrasse might be tied to it - it digs up the sang violently every hour of the day causing sand storms.

Can I possibly just be seeing PO4 that’s typically stored in the sand be released and it’s just temporary until it gets soaked up again?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A nano protien skimmer (bubble magus mini q), filter pads (changed every 3 days), and weekly 10% water changes

I'd look to add some method for exporting phosphate, such as growing macroalgae or GFO.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can I possibly just be seeing PO4 that’s typically stored in the sand be released and it’s just temporary until it gets soaked up again?

Maybe.

 

[thatindonesianreefer]

I'd look to add some method for exporting phosphate, such as growing macroalgae or GFO.

I’ll maybe get some macroalgae for tge display.