Nitrate and Phosphate consumption and dosing limits

[anygiven60]

Lately I've had a hard time keeping nitrates and phosphates in the system, SPS dominate. I dose daily, around 10pm and 24 hours later I am zapped back down to 0 on both. 1ppm of nitrate and .06ppm of phosphate is what I have been dosing for the last two weeks and unable to maintain stable numbers. I use the salifert nitrate test with the NYOS as a back up to double check and the hanna ULR phosphorus for testing and run three consecutive test and take the average. In order to keep nutrients in the system It looks like I'll have to dose every 12 hours until things stabilize. What is the maximize limit I can dose for each one? I've seen 1 and 2ppm per 24 hours of nitrates and phosphates it seems to vary just as much. I am using sodium nitrate and monopotassium phosphate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The "maximum limit" is what you tank consumes. There is no other artificial limit.

If you have confidence in your kits, I'd add more.

 

[anygiven60]

Thank you, much appreciated.

The biological balance in my tank got out of whack due to a bacterial bloom that was a bit harsh. Had it clogging socks in less than 12 hours at times and ph took a dive. I'm back on track but still have that bacteria present in the water as indicated by the thin white film on the glass. I'm assuming this is a factor of my nitrate and phosphate issues?