Nitrate dosing

Mark75 · Nov 25, 2015

Sounds like the cyano may be what is using your nitrates?

I also have zero Nitrates keeping me very interested your testing. I have increased feeding but with just three fish I am not sure if I can get my nitrates up with just feeding. I also have noticed my sps getting lighter.

Have you just recently noticed pale color? I thought your sps were colored up nicely!

LostInTheDark · Nov 25, 2015

I just tossed my red sea nitrate kit. It always said 0 even after dosing Potassium Nitrate, I tested it using staight dosing water and it still said 0. Tried Salifert and it put me at 5.

cee · Nov 25, 2015

Yeah, considering going back to the only kit I've ever really trusted, LaMotte! LostInTheDark, interesting to see you have had similar experience to what I think I'm currently dealing with with. Makes me wonder about the PO4 test as well.

LostInTheDark · Nov 25, 2015

cee said:
Makes me wonder about the PO4 test as well.

I have the same concern. I'm looking at different PO4 test now. My Redsea always shows 0 on that also. I was thinking of Elos Pro for phosphate

Ryan15236 · Nov 25, 2015

Will be following along @cee
I have been thinking about dosing nitrate as well. I currently run 0ppm nitrate. My SPS look pretty decent for the most part. Could use a bit more coloring up. However some of my zoas are melting away I believe due to lack of nutrients.

jt17 · Nov 25, 2015

How many times have we heard of cyano problems with 0 nitrates? A bunch. I wonder if the cyano is using atmospheric nitrogen. Assuming the nitrate tests are accurate, Your nitrate levels didn't go up when we know there's more present. The only place for it go is N2 which cyano can utilize. I thought this might be why we see cyano on sand beds and not so much on the live rock. Sand beds are always releasing N2. Perhaps N2 degases quickly and the difference is minimal and this hypothesis is wrong.
Sorry to derail the thread. And nice Phrag.

twilliard · Nov 25, 2015

The best way to raise no3 with no worries is imo potassium nitrate.
Now when it comes to testing for po4 there is nothing like Triton.
This is where you will see your true numbers in your tank.

twilliard · Nov 25, 2015

jt17 said:
How many times have we heard of cyano problems with 0 nitrates? A bunch. I wonder if the cyano is using atmospheric nitrogen. Assuming the nitrate tests are accurate, Your nitrate levels didn't go up when we know there's more present. The only place for it go is N2 which cyano can utilize. I thought this might be why we see cyano on sand beds and not so much on the live rock. Sand beds are always releasing N2. Perhaps N2 degases quickly and the difference is minimal and this hypothesis is wrong.
Sorry to derail the thread. And nice Phrag.

You can have 0 no3 and have a ton of DOC's
Cyano would love that

cee · Nov 25, 2015

jt17 said:
How many times have we heard of cyano problems with 0 nitrates? A bunch. I wonder if the cyano is using atmospheric nitrogen. Assuming the nitrate tests are accurate, Your nitrate levels didn't go up when we know there's more present. The only place for it go is N2 which cyano can utilize. I thought this might be why we see cyano on sand beds and not so much on the live rock. Sand beds are always releasing N2. Perhaps N2 degases quickly and the difference is minimal and this hypothesis is wrong.
Sorry to derail the thread. And nice Phrag.

Really good point about the N2. My hypothesis(same as yours) is that the anaerobic bacteria in the sand break down the nitrates releasing N2. Since cyano binds N2 it only makes sense that I would see cyano on the sand bed. Also, I think calcium nitrate is just as safe to dose as potassium nitrate.

cee · Nov 25, 2015

Also I've always wondered if those dosing potassium nitrate have sand beds or not...

Pete polyp · Nov 25, 2015

cee said:
Also I've always wondered if those dosing potassium nitrate have sand beds or not...

Both

Pete polyp · Nov 25, 2015

My beliefs on cyano is that it uses available carbon (organic or inorganic). We do know excessive carbon dosing will cause cyano.

BlueDevil · Nov 25, 2015

@cee - I have been very happy with the Salifert kit to test my NO3. I will bring it to the party and we can see what your water tests with that kit. I will also have a Hanna ultra low range phosphorus checker by then. We can test for phosphates using that too if you like.

Rob.D · Nov 25, 2015

What a great thread, I'm really interested in seeing where the different test kits lead us and how far off Triton will be. Hope the cyano backs off for you Cee.

Jmcdaniel0 · Nov 26, 2015

Yeah I have been following get this. I have never had the issue of being at 0 nitrates for a long period of time... I keep mine low, but rarely at 0.

arman · Nov 26, 2015

I was working on f2 for culturing ohyto and i got that NaNO3 is a very good way to increase the no3 and NaH2po4 in very good for elevating phosphate

arman · Nov 26, 2015

I was working on phyto and f2 and i found that NaNo3 iss very good for natrate and nah2po4 is a good way for elevating phosphate

CastAway · Nov 26, 2015

If dosing vinegar ,in particular, some strains of cyano bacteria will thrive. This is why I switched to vodka as this is not the case so much with ethanol as it is acetic acid.

ZIGGY63 · Nov 28, 2015

I can't speak for nitrate dosing, but I have been able to bump my numbers up. I have not noticed any change in color, but I have noticed that some acro's and monti's have picked up in the growth department.

cee · Nov 28, 2015

The cyano has been tolerable, not getting out of hand. I stepped up the flow a bit, ditched the Red Sea (debated on a LaMotte's kit but ended up purchasing a Salifert NO3 kit) and increased the flow through the sump to get a bit more turn-over on the skimmer (hoping for more ORP overall to reduce cyano growth). I must say, however, that the SPS colors have been getting even more outstanding.

Dave