I Need some help and knowledge!

[Reeferburns]

Hello reefers, I’m super confused as to why I have no phos but yet I have Cyanobacteria and I can clearly see nutrient build up. I’ve double tested with two testers and I get same results. I’m assuming since Cyanobacteria is a “bacteria” then maybe that’s why I don’t get a pho’s readying but yet I see nutrients in the tank. I will say I had super high nitrates about 6 months ago and ever since I’ve been super religious of keeping nitrates at 0. My problem is that I have a 0 nitrate and 0 pho’s in the tank, that means I’m going to see Dino soon doesn’t it, unless I do something now? I was being strict on my feeding schedule because of the high nitrates I suffered from. Now I’m feeding heavy is that the way to do it? Or should I buy stuff to dose the tank with? Also I’m scared of using chemi clean should I not be?

 

[Nano sapiens]

Yes, having '0' (aka 'undetectable) PO4 and NO3 (using low-range test kits) has been shown to be undesirable for the average reef aquarium. Cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates can take advantage of the conditions since their natural competitors are hindered by the lack of these nutrients.

The goal is to have some of both in the water column for the corals and other organisms to utilize. How much of each is up for debate with the current trend towards higher levels of both (my small mature system does great with around 0.02 PO4 and 2-4 ppm NO3), but a bit higher levels are fine, too, as long as algae blooms don't become a problem.

When both parameters are '0', then feeding the tank is appropriate while you test every few days to see how the aquarium is responding. Many, but not all reefers see a trend that one of the parameters rises higher than the other over time. If the difference is great (ex.: PO4 = 0, NO3 = 30, or NO3 = 0 and PO4 = 1.5) then you can add PO4 or NO3 product (available from a number of companies), depending on which one is too low. For extreme examples like these, obviously food input should be reduced to lower whichever parameter is too high and export of excess uneaten or partially digested food/detritus is beneficial (waste removal).

The seeming inconsistency of providing the animals with the food they need to live, grow and reproduce, while at the same time maintaining relatively nutrient poor water, is key to long term success.