importance of stable nutrients??

cracker · Jun 13, 2018

So just how important is the stability of nutrient levels? I speak of No3 & Po4 levels. Not what are the best numbers ,just how important is the stability.
I'm speaking of my 75 gl reef experiment tank. I want to hone my skills at keeping this tank as stable as possible. When I get this down & procedures required, I plan to use these skills on my 180.
So I think( and pray) I have the alk/ca ,temp, flow, salinity nice & stable. However this tank is nutrient deficient. So now I'm going crazy trying to keep No3& Po4 levels stable !
I will have a pic or two of this system for You tomorrow . Any Op's And experiences would be welcome .

Flippers4pups · Jun 13, 2018

@cracker, my experience with nutrients, aka.. N03 and P04 is lead me to just testing N03. Why N03 and not worry about P04? Visual. Yep, visual inspection of my system tells me that they are in check.

You probably already know this, as long as N03 is higher than P04, nuisance algae will stay in check. (Well, almost all the time.)

Not letting my N03 climb too high, say above 20ppm, everything in my system stays healthy and grows very well. If my glass begins to show signs of film algae every couple days, then it's time for a water change. If the N03 stays higher long term, then I run some GFO.

P04 will typically chase N03 up wards with it.

Not very scientific is it? Visual, yes. Old school, yes.

Frogger · Jun 14, 2018

I have been managing my nitrates and phosphates through adding phosphates and nitrates. It is an extremely difficult balance. Unlike Flipper I find my phosphates and alkalinity are the key to monitor. I only check my nitrates once a week to once every couple of weeks. I check my phosphates and alkalinity almost every day and make corrections accordingly.

I have found that if my nitrates get out of wack my corals loose color or go brown. If my phosphates get out of wack my corals loose life and it happens fast. Twice over the past 2 years I have inadvertently let my phosphates get too low, when that happens the corals stop using calcium and alkalinity and my alkalinity spikes. The tips of the corals die and if not caught quick enough corals die. Not sure if it is the high alkalinity or the extremely low phosphates.

I would love to be able to have my tank so that I always have some nitrates and phosphates unfortunately that is not the case. The guys at World Wide Corals suggested I turn my skimmer off for part of the day to increase the nutrients naturally in the tank. I tried it a bit but didn't seem to change much. I have to give it a better try.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 14, 2018

Im not sure what time frame of stability you are asking about.

If the purpose is to dose N and/or P, I strongly doubt it matters if you dose once a day vs many times per day, but I’ve not seen an actual comparison.

If you are talking about N and P changing day to day by large amounts (factor of 2 or more) then I think it has more chance of being u desirable. Say, 1 ppm average nitrate one day then 10 ppm average the next then back to 1 ppm average the next day.

But again, I’ve not seen any careful comparison.

cracker · Jun 14, 2018

Here is a pic for You. Nothing fancy or decorative. This tank is just an experimental platform. I have a way to go ! Also you will see the algae issues that have plagued this tank.
Flipper I look forward to the day when I have the experience & confidence to know by looking .

cracker · Jun 14, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Im not sure what time frame of stability you are asking about.

If the purpose is to dose N and/or P, I strongly doubt it matters if you dose once a day vs many times per day, but I’ve not seen an actual comparison.

If you are talking about N and P changing day to day by large amounts (factor of 2 or more) then I think it has more chance of being u desirable. Say, 1 ppm average nitrate one day then 10 ppm average the next then back to 1 ppm average the next day.
But again, I’ve not seen any careful comparison.

Randy, My numbers don't rise & fall anywhere near your Scenario . Thanks, another little detail I now know. This a great place for info & You Folks work very hard to help out. I have learned so much .Now I just have to put it to practical application !