How to preserve phyto?

[Reef By Steele Verified Sponsor]

I tried to look through again and didn’t find it, what test kit are you using,

 

[Miami Reef]

I think the obvious solution is to manually dose nitrates and phosphates if you don’t want your nutrients bottoming out. They sell inexpensive and pure forms on Amazon.

I wouldn’t want to kill or damage live phytoplankton cells.

 

[El Toro]

I have been testing, it's definitely the phyto. I have not been adding it, and let my phosphates get to .18. I dosed 10mL of phyto this morning, came home from work and it was 0.04. Multiple tests, and have done this 2x and same results.

Why not dose Phyto and Phosphates along with other trace elements. Its what the Sea does, replenishing all the nutrients.

 

[CloudReefer]

I tried to look through again and didn’t find it, what test kit are you using,

hey sorry been swamped IRL and haven't been able to attend to this thread or the issue really.

I am using a Hanna ULR colorimeter.

I have completely stopped adding anything to my tank except live phyto, frozen food and some dry pellets. I am still unable to get my nutrients up at all unless I stop adding the phyto. I am not even doing water changes anymore. My skimmer is still <1 cup per week of skimmate removal.

Completely stumped now.

 

[CloudReefer]

Good news! I haven't had a chance to test yet but a visual inspection showed that algae on my glass had noticeably increased, dinos looked to be weakening and I found a small patch of GHA that had started growing.

Based on the rate of growth on my glass I am willing to bet my p04 is up to around a .04-.06 now. I never thought I'd be happy to see GHA growing! lol