Nitrate Question

[TigerReefer]

Hello all-

I have a question about nitrates. I have a Red Sea Reefer 350. I perform water changes of 10% every week using Aquaforest Reef salt. I have noticed over the last month my nitrates have been undetectable. I use Red Sea test kit.

My parameters

PH 7.8 Apex
Alk 8.3 Hanna Checker
CA 455 Aquaforest/Hanna Checker
Mag 1350 Aquaforest
Phos .02 Hanna ULR
Nitrate 0 Red Sea

My dosing
Aquaforest AB every other day 3 drops
Aquaforest EV every other day 3 drops
NP Pro and Pro Bio S 3 drops daily
I have phosminus and carbon in a reactor using the stack method.
I feed 3 times a day with a enheim feeder
Once a week I mix Reef chili and oyster feast and broadcast feed.

I have roughly 35 frags in the tank. It’s a mixed Reef

Bioload is 2 clowns 3 Lyretail Anthias one Blue tang and a Fire shrimp.

I haven’t had to start dosing because my big 3 aren’t moving. I think it’s because my tank doesn’t have any or are very low nitrates. What’s the best way to increase nitrates without feeding more? Could this be an issue?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Anirban]

Do you see any issue with coral growth? Are there any algae growing out of control? If the answer for both question is no then just don't change anything. Leave it like that and keep doing whatever you are doing now.

 

[TigerReefer]

Hey thanks Anirban for the quick reply.

I haven't seen any coral growth or encrusting so far. There is some fine algae growing is spots and on the frag plugs themselves.

The tank was set up in February of this year. I started with Aquaforest products.

I also have a LPS 29 gallon that isn't on the Aquaforest line.

I had a goni in that tank. It stopped opening and was dying. I added it to the bigger tank and now has made a full comeback.

In the larger tank I had a nice size rock of Cyphastrea that did not make it. The rock slowly covered in algae.

 

[Anirban]

If you have small amount of algae its fine as its a new tank. Give it some time to mature. Also, if you want then dose a very small amount of potassium nitrate dosing and keep the NO3 at 1-2ppm. This should be fine but don't increase too much.

 

[TigerReefer]

I appreciate all the advice. Im glad it wasn't just feed more.

Is there a reference to how much I should dose to increase my NO3? Is potassium nitrate something I can buy at a LFS? Does aquaforest have anything in their line that increases nitrate?

Do I need to stop or start any other dosing based on my current schedule?

 

[Anirban]

Read this and dose accordingly..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/potassium-nitrate-spectracide-stump-remover-dosing-steps.215730/

In the mean time just continue what you are doing now.

 

[TigerReefer]

Wow thanks Anirban!

I read through that entire thread. (Slowly, I am working). I will slowly start dosing this and report back.

 

[Anirban]

Go real slow...if you think you are slow then go even slower..

 

[TigerReefer]

Ok Anirban-

Few days later update. I’ve kept all the dosing I was doing the same.

I purchased the stump remover and dosed it according to the link you provided.

Day one: nitrates read 0 (Red Sea nitrate pro kit)
I added 5ml and tested again an hour later. Still read 0. Added 5ml more tested again hour later no3 had moved to .75ppm left it alone.

Yesterday: tested no3 again 0. Added 10 ml and retested hour later and no3 had moved to .75 added 5 ml tested again hour later no3 had moved to 1.25.

Got home from work today tested no3 back to 0.

I did noticed today. A lot more brownish looking hair type algae on my rocks/coral plug.

This has me thinking that i do have n03. Maybe it’s just been absorbed by what little algae I have.

What do you suggest?

 

[Anirban]

Where is your PO4 now? Yes, the algae can eat up the NO3 and PO4 both. You need be on top of them and keep them steady at a certain level for few weeks. You will see slowly the algae will fade away.

 

[TigerReefer]

Just test p04 Hanna ulr says 0. N03 says zero.

Dosed AB 3 drops tonight along with 3 drops of pro bio s and np.

Should I take gfo and carbon off line?

Why would algae be developing if both are showing 0?

 

[TigerReefer]

Also, do you recommend I keep dosing the N03 and maybe increase feeding to increase P04?

 

[Anirban]

Ok, first take the GFO off not carbon.
Then dose the Pro bio S and NP pro 2 drops twice a week.
Stop the amino for a week.
Keep dosing the NO3 10 ml like you are doing now.
Your algae is eating them up so we need to keep them steady. Also keep an eye on the Alk and keep it near 8 or with low nutrient its going to hurt the corals.

 

[TigerReefer]

Removed Coral A from the rotation.

Changed reminders for Pro Bio s and NP Pro to two days a week and 2 drops.

Since I use the stack method carbon and gfo on one reactor I can’t just take gfo off line. Should I redo that reactor with just carbon?

Also,should I keep dosing coral BVE rotating every other day at 3 drops like I have been doing?

I’m due for my weekly water change of 10% Saturday. Should I keep doing those?

I check alk daily it averages 8.5. Do I need to get that down more?

I’m not dosing any elements the system doesn’t seem to be using them. Just been doing the items in my original post.

I truly appreciate your help. Just trying to get on the straight path.

 

[Anirban]

I will take the GFO off you dont need it. BVE you can do twice a week. Water change is fine so no problem. Alk close to 8 will be better. Dont get tense if you see a bit algae for few days but just keep the PO4 o-0.02 and NO3 1-2 ppm for a week or so. You will be fine.

 

[TigerReefer]

Will do.

I’ll post updates daily to get feedback.

 

[TigerReefer]

Friday update.

Just walked in and looked at the tank. All this algae has gotten so much worse.

You said not to panic so I’m not but yikes. Will check parameters after I eat. Looking scary tho

 

[TigerReefer]

Ok tested all parameters

Ph 7.9
Alk 8.6
Cal 420
Mag 1320
N03 0
P03 0

I will be removing phosminus tomorrow with my weekly water change.

Do yo want me to continue on our current course?

 

[TigerReefer]

Double post

 

[Anirban]

yup, possibly don't dose np pro at all.