Is this even possible...?

[Pickle_soup]

So I tested my nitrates with a Salifert test kit. I did two tests at the same time because I had weird readings last time. Both tests showed 10 ppm nitrates. I tested PO4, and color is somewhere between 1-3. Is it even possible to have relatively low nitrates and insanely high phosphates? Is something not adding up? I have some algae growth on my sand, I don't have a CUC yet, they are all in a Qt.

 

[Propane]

Are you using API

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It's possible. How recently (prior to testing) did you feed and/or stir up the sand?

 

[Pickle_soup]

It's possible. How recently (prior to testing) did you feed and/or stir up the sand?

I fed my fish mysis and spirulina brine about 2 hours ago, and I added some phyto to the tank about 45 minutes ago.

 

[Pickle_soup]

Are you using API

Salifert

 

[Pickle_soup]

I just retested, and same results.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I fed my fish mysis and spirulina brine about 2 hours ago, and I added some phyto to the tank about 45 minutes ago.

Your test results will be skewed. Test again 5-6 hours after any feeding/changes/dosing/etc

 

[Lavey29]

I fed my fish mysis and spirulina brine about 2 hours ago, and I added some phyto to the tank about 45 minutes ago.

What and when was your last phosphate test? Seems like a test error to be so high.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I just retested, and same results.

You just dumped phosphates into your system. Wait a few hours (or overnight) and test again

 

[Pickle_soup]

What and when was your last phosphate test? Seems like a test error to be so high.

I just tested them, twice, about 15 minutes apart.

 

[Propane]

How do your corals look?

 

[Pickle_soup]

I mean, you will not find a piece of algae on my LR. I have some turfy-looking thing on the sand, I need more powerheads clearly, but that's about it. I would expect more algae with the PO4 that high. I will retest it tomorrow as you recommend.

 

[Pickle_soup]

How do your corals look?

No corals in the DT yet, all are in QT. But I will test the QT for phosphates to see if the test is junky. Corals are looking great, growing and multiplying in the QT.

 

[Lavey29]

I just tested them, twice, about 15 minutes apart.

Yes but what was the prior test? Last week? What number? I test phosphate weekly.

 

[Pickle_soup]

Okay, so I tested the Qt, and it's the same exact color. Somewhere between 1-3. This is not my test, but I just wanted to show the colors on the chart. Squint your eyes and look at 1-3. Imagine the color in between. Hold your breath if you have to.

 

[Pickle_soup]

Yes but what was the prior test? Last week? What number? I test phosphate weekly.

I would say, that it was about 3 weeks ago, and I was at solid 1. I was in the process of slowing my water changes to fight dinos and overfeeding to get nitrates up. It worked, but now I have this pickle to deal with.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Okay, so I tested the Qt, and it's the same exact color. Somewhere between 1-3. This is not my test, but I just wanted to show the colors on the chart. Squint your eyes and look at 1-3. Imagine the color in between. Hold your breath if you have to.

Is your test kit expired?

 

[Pickle_soup]

Is your test kit expired?

Nah, it reads 2026, but who knows where and how it was stored? Maybe it was impacted by that.

 

[Pickle_soup]

I'll try both tanks tomorrow, and see what happens. If not, I'll get another test. I just wanted to know if those numbers were a possibility. What would I see from my corals with phosphates at 2?

 

[Pickle_soup]

I have all the fun corals, zoes, GSP, Kenya Tree, Shrooms, and a Ginio.