Issues with nutrients

[Albertan_Reef]

Hi, I’m currently having nutrient issues in my 180 gallon tank.

Using API test kit for nitrates shows 0
Salifert for phosphates shows 0.03

I know the phosphate levels are within range. But it took a lot to get there. Dosing 6 ml of Nopox daily, running GFO,a over sized skimmer, and 100% water change over the course of a week and refugium with chaeto and kessil h80 grow light.

I don’t feel as if my skimmer is performing as it should, I only clean out the cup every 2 weeks or longer. I have 5 fish, 1 hippo tang, 1 clown, 2 azure damsels and a solar wrasse. I feed once every 3 days.

My nitrates and phosphates shouldn’t be out of whack doing 20 gallon water changes weekly either with my feeding schedule. .

The tank has been set up since August and completed its cycle mid September.

 

[PDR]

I’m confused, are you now wanting to raise or lower your current levels? What were they before all of this was implemented?

 

[Retro Reefer]

A over sized skimmer with that small of a fish load is probably not going to produce that much skimate.. IMO you should be feeding your fish at least once daily, I feed mine small amounts three times a day.

 

[ddrueckh]

I'm confused too. Your levels are low. I would back off on the Nopox and GFO. I would also feed your fish daily. How would you like only eating every 3 days? Even in tanks with high nutrients, I don't think starving live animals is the solution. Your skimmer isn't producing because there is nothing to skim.

 

[Dan_P]

Hi, I’m currently having nutrient issues in my 180 gallon tank.

Using API test kit for nitrates shows 0
Salifert for phosphates shows 0.03

I know the phosphate levels are within range. But it took a lot to get there. Dosing 6 ml of Nopox daily, running GFO,a over sized skimmer, and 100% water change over the course of a week and refugium with chaeto and kessil h80 grow light.

I don’t feel as if my skimmer is performing as it should, I only clean out the cup every 2 weeks or longer. I have 5 fish, 1 hippo tang, 1 clown, 2 azure damsels and a solar wrasse. I feed once every 3 days.

My nitrates and phosphates shouldn’t be out of whack doing 20 gallon water changes weekly either with my feeding schedule. .

The tank has been set up since August and completed its cycle mid September.

Your system is very new. What was the nitrate that you fought so hard to reduce?

Sounds like you are starving your fish.

Are you not able to adjust your skimmer to produce a higher foam rate?

 

[theMeat]

unless it’s a fish only, get your nitrates up to at least 5.
Ween off the no pox
Only 20% water change when nitrates get above 15, or phosphate above 1. Any more than that is not helping.
You should be feeding at least once a day, preferably 2x, maybe more depending on fish

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Your system is very new. What was the nitrate that you fought so hard to reduce?

Sounds like you are starving your fish.

Are you not able to adjust your skimmer to produce a higher foam rate?

Nitrates never weren’t very high. They were at a max 10 but the phosphates were about 5 that’s why I started the Nopox. I have horrible algae issues as well.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

unless it’s a fish only, get your nitrates up to at least 5.
Ween off the no pox
Only 20% water change when nitrates get above 15, or phosphate above 1.
You should be feeding at least once a day, preferably 2x, maybe more depending on fish

I slowed down on feeding to get my nutrients under control.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

Your nutrient levels are low. I am not sure where your problem is. I would feed your fish everyday. As long as you are not over feeding it should not lead to any issues.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Your nutrient levels are low. I am not sure where your problem is. I would feed your fish everyday. As long as you are not over feeding it should not lead to any issues.

All the excess algae. My refugium grows more hair algae then anything. This is AFTER I scrubbed a huge carpet of hair algae off my rocks last week

 

[Retro Reefer]

What I’m seeing is just part of the new tank uglies.. make sure you have a large very diverse CUC, 1-2 pieces per gallon.

This is what reef cleaners recommends for your tank, I would start with about half that and work your way up as needed..

 

[ddrueckh]

You have low nutrients because the algae is taking it up quickly leaving no detectable nutrients in the water.

1) physically remove all the algae you can. I suggest a combination of manual removal and snails. Perform a large water change (50%}. While doing this, first siphon your sand. Next, put the hose in the tank and put your thumb over the end of the hose. Use the hose end and your thumb to pinch off clumps of algae and let them siphon into a bucket. Do the same in your sump. The goal is to remove as much algae as you can. This removes the algae and nutrients. You can then use a toothbrush to gently rub as much algae off your rocks as you can. Next blow off the rocks with a powerhead or turkey baster. Let your filter socks catch everything that gets suspended and clean them once the water clears up (couple of hours). The snails will get what you miss.

2) make sure you have Chaeto in your fuge. Run the fuge light 16 hours and cut back on your display lights as much as you can. Slowly ramp up your display lights as your Chaeto grows and your fuge/Chaeto can outcompete algae growth in the tank. What kind of fuge light are you using? I suggest a Kessil H160.

Repeat the water change in number 1 above every week until the algae stops growing. This should take care of it pretty quickly. After you get control, you can reduce the water changes to 10-20 percent a week but be sure to siphon your sand and blow off the rock while you do this. Good luck. You can beat this problem with a little work!

I would also stop the GFO and other products. Stick with the basics...water changes and maybe a little activated carbon.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

You have low nutrients because the algae is taking it up quickly leaving no detectable nutrients in the water.

1) physically remove all the algae you can. I suggest a combination of manual removal and snails. Perform a large water change (50%}. While doing this, first siphon your sand. Next, put the hose in the tank and put your thumb over the end of the hose. Use the hose end and your thumb to pinch off clumps of algae and let them siphon into a bucket. Do the same in your sump. The goal is to remove as much algae as you can. This removes the algae and nutrients. You can then use a toothbrush to gently rub as much algae off your rocks as you can. Next blow off the rocks with a powerhead or turkey baster. Let your filter socks catch everything that gets suspended and clean them once the water clears up (couple of hours). The snails will get what you miss.

2) make sure you have Chaeto in your fuge. Run the fuge light 16 hours and cut back on your display lights as much as you can. Slowly ramp up your display lights as your Chaeto grows and your fuge/Chaeto can outcompete algae growth in the tank. What kind of fuge light are you using? I suggest a Kessil H160.

Repeat the water change in number 1 above every week until the algae stops growing. This should take care of it pretty quickly. After you get control, you can reduce the water changes to 10-20 percent a week. Good luck. You can beat this problem with a little work!

I would also stop the GFO and other products. Stick with the basics...water changes and maybe a little activated carbon.

That’s what I did last week. Removed all my rock into a brute can while doing a water change. And used a scrub brush and removed all the algae. Then I siphoned the sand.

I have chaeto in my fuge along with a kessil light. Running for 14 hours a day. No growth out of the chaeto but a lot of hair algae in the fuge walls.

I reduced my lighting to just my Kessils at a reduced intensity and turned off the T5s for the last week since the big water change

 

[ddrueckh]

That’s great. Keep doing it every week. Nutrients are stored in your rock and sand. Doing this will remove the nutrients over time. It will require you doing this more than once. You will get the upper hand but it will take some time. I still suggest stopping the Nopox and GFO...I think they will end up causing more problems long run.

Are you using RODI water? If so, does it measure 0 TDS?

What kind of rock did you use? Some are known to have phosphates.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

That’s great. Keep doing it every week. Nutrients are stored in your rock and sand. Doing this will remove the nutrients over time. It will require you doing this more than once. You will get the upper hand but it will take some time. I still suggest stopping the Nopox and GFO...I think they will end up causing more problems long run.

Are you using RODI water? If so, does it measure 0 TDS?

What kind of rock did you use? Some are known to have phosphates.

I stopped dosing Nopox yesterday, GFO I stopped last week.

I’m using a 7 stage RODI, reads 0.

I’m actually thinking the rock is the issue. It was out of my 300 gallon tank from before I moved. I dried it out and bleached it but don’t think I cleaned it well enough. I may end up replacing most of it

 

[ddrueckh]

I think you are correct. The rock is probably your problem. I started my new tank in October. I used live rock from KP Aquatics. It’s a bit pricy but is loaded with life. It took about 3 weeks to cure (0 ammonia/nitrite) but after it has been great.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

I think you are correct. The rock is probably your problem. I started my new tank in October. I used live rock from KP Aquatics. It’s a bit pricy but is loaded with life. It took about 3 weeks to cure (0 ammonia/nitrite) but after it has been great.

I think I’m going to swap out rock do half my scape then the other half

 

[ZaneTer]

Have you considered using a sea hare? Honestly in a 180 I would only have 1 but they really tear through hair algae.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Have you considered using a sea hare? Honestly in a 180 I would only have 1 but they really tear through hair algae.

A sea hair eliminates algae. Not the uneven nutrients.

 

[ZaneTer]

That’s a fair statement although I believe it’s an entirely unreasonable expectation to have a successful reef with many corals and no herbivores and no algae.

The same nutrients that feed your corals also feed your algae and unfortunately algae is much better at getting to them. You will starve your corals long before you starve out your algae.

Excess nutrients is not too hard to remove. You could try carbon dosing or chaeto or feeding less. Just make sure you don’t bottom out on anything.

Good luck and keep us informed.