brooksdw
Community Member
I am having problems with low n03 and po4. I think my bio load is too low with only 7 smaller fish and two tangs. would it be a good idea to turn my skimmer off until I get my levels back up to a detectible range ?
Low Nutrient levels
- Thread starter brooksdw
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T-J
2500 Club Member
How big is the tank? Do you have corals that need higher nutrients?
Feeding more can increase your numbers. Dosing can as well.
Yes, turning off the skimmer can also raise numbers, but I don't like doing that because my pH would drop too much and I worry about dissolved O2 as well.
Feeding more can increase your numbers. Dosing can as well.
Yes, turning off the skimmer can also raise numbers, but I don't like doing that because my pH would drop too much and I worry about dissolved O2 as well.
Gtinnel
10K Club member
I agree you should try to find another way to raise nutrients other than turning off the skimmer. I would start feeding heavier and then if that doesn't work (it didn't for me) start dosing to get the levels where you want them.
Gtinnel
10K Club member
If the skimmer has a drain port you could also just let it drain back into the sump.
ReefGeezer
Valuable Member
Add more bioload, preferably well fed fish. IMO that's what the tank is for. Keeping fish & stuff is fun... keeping water isn't. BUT #1... make sure your testing method is accurate at low levels first. Something like a Hanna ULR (736 I think... ppb phosphorous) and at least a Red Sea or Salifert kit for Nitrate. BUT #2... don't get carried away. Add bioload slowly enough to give the tank time to react & stabilize before adding more.
ReefGeezer
Valuable Member
You might try putting the skimmer on a timer also. That way you can reduce the skimming efficiency in a controlled manner until you find the right level.
LuizW13
Well-Known Member
Why don't you just turn the skimmer off for a few hours a day and see how it goes over the course of a week? I feel like that's easier to control versus dosing and feeding more..and a tad bit cheaper.
homer1475
Figuring out the hobby one coral at a time.
Instead of turning the skimmer off, just dial it down so your getting super thick, dry foam.
Skimmers don't technically removes nitrates or phosphates. What they do is to remove the organics before they breakdown into nitrates and phosphates.
Skimmers have quite a few more functions then waste removal, I would never turn mine off, but rather adjust how it skims to adjust my nutrient levels.
Skimmers don't technically removes nitrates or phosphates. What they do is to remove the organics before they breakdown into nitrates and phosphates.
Skimmers have quite a few more functions then waste removal, I would never turn mine off, but rather adjust how it skims to adjust my nutrient levels.
I would consider adding more bio load and getting some more fish that way you are feeding more. At that point if you don't see the increase that you want then maybe put your skimmer on a timer or dial it back a bit 
mattgsa
Valuable Member
Did you find a solution? I too am having problems with keeping nutrients, even with the skimmer turned off for days. I dos 20+ ml of neophos every day, and every evening my levels are back at zero. My corals started browning out yesterday, so I started dosing Red Sea AB+, I don't know if it will do any good. I'm good on nitrates.
I just ordered dosing containers for the neophos so I can hook it up to my doser.
I just ordered dosing containers for the neophos so I can hook it up to my doser.
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
I’m in similar situation too lol and has happened before with me being over the top trying to keep a clean tank. I’d say use a silverside and throw it in tank to muck up the water or I’ve heard using seachem flourish helps increasing nutrients
mattgsa
Valuable Member
Interesting I have never heard of seachem flourish. I will look into it.
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
It’s a freshwater product but I’ve have used it and it work successfully with my coral looking way more happier after running such a clean tank so I’ll end up doing it again maybe or throwing something dead in there to muck up the water. Use the flourish sparingly
mattgsa
Valuable Member
I was looking into it, and I see it ups your nitrates too, but in my case my nitrates are fine, it's just my phosphates that keep going to zero every day.
TxReefer21
Well-Known Member
Maybe broadcast feed some reef roids or throw in a silver side for fish to pick on I’m in same boat as you lol except my tank was great Friday did water change and added new bag of chemi pure and corals where immediately upset
