Nitrate question

[Markszy]

hello all I know this is a bigger question then what I am looking for but I wanted to get some opinions. My new tank, setup for about 2 months now has been going through the normal algae blooms until now. I have been testing weekly as it is a new tank, today i noticed my Nitrates have zeroed out and i'm getting what might be cyano or dinos. I believe it is because of the nitrate crash but I'm not positive. Last week my Nitrates were 5ppm, i am running a Pentair 50watt UV and a large skimmer. should i just stop running the skimmer for a little? any thoughts would be great, thanks

Nitrates 0
Pho .25
calcuim 520 ppm
ALK 9 DKH
Nitrite 0
ammonia 0
PH goes between 7.9-8.1 at different times of the day

 

[Spare time]

You can run the skimmer on a timer.

Dinos seem to be related to 0 phosphate more than 0 nitrate but the reverse seems to be true about cyano (cyano seems to pop up with 0 nitrate or lots of phosphate)

Are you using API tests by any chance? I ask because 0.25ppm is the lowest API can read for phosphate but most prefer phosphate between 0.03 and 0.1

 

[Markszy]

You can run the skimmer on a timer.

Dinos seem to be related to 0 phosphate more than 0 nitrate but the reverse seems to be true about cyano (cyano seems to pop up with 0 nitrate or lots of phosphate)

Are you using API tests by any chance? I ask because 0.25ppm is the lowest API can read for phosphate but most prefer phosphate between 0.03 and 0.1

Correct, I am using an API test kit. I plan to get a Hanna checker or similar.

 

[Spare time]

Correct, I am using an API test kit. I plan to get a Hanna checker or similar.

Ok. I'd definitely recommend that for phosphate. Nitrate is eh unless you are thinking you have near true 0

 

[Freenow54]

Watching wondering if the light

 

[Markszy]

Ok. I'd definitely recommend that for phosphate. Nitrate is eh unless you are thinking you have near true 0

The color didn’t change a bit, it was yellow yellow so I’m assuming it’s close to zero but definitely less then 5.

should I just run my skimmer less?

 

[Markszy]

Watching wondering if the light

I am running radion XR30 on the softie template for their recommended time.

 

[G Santana]

If you're sure you are at or close to zero, feed a little more, run skimmer less and if you have an ATS limit the photo period.
But keep an eye on it, don't let it creep up too much or fast as then you will be inviting GHA

Good luck.

 

[Markszy]

If you're sure you are at or close to zero, feed a little more, run skimmer less and if you have an ATS limit the photo period.
But keep an eye on it, don't let it creep up too much or fast as then you will be inviting GHA

Good luck.

I don’t have an ATS bud will cut back on skimming. I thought I was over feeding but I guess not.

 

[Uncle99]

Your nitrates are zero and phosphate is .25?
If your getting Cyano and Dino, they are likely both low.
Phosphate is hard to test accurately, but ballpark.

 

[G Santana]

I don’t have an ATS bud will cut back on skimming. I thought I was over feeding but I guess not.

Is your tank new, the reason I ask is when my tank was under 6 months I had little to no nitrates or phosphates register on my tests. Once I passed the 6 month mark I seemed to get blindsided by both. Now passed the year mark and with my tank matured, I have things well in hand. IMO tank maturity and good husbandry goes a long way to giving you the numbers you need.

Good luck

 

[Markszy]

Is your tank new, the reason I ask is when my tank was under 6 months I had little to no nitrates or phosphates register on my tests. Once I passed the 6 month mark I seemed to get blindsided by both. Now passed the year mark and with my tank matured, I have things well in hand. IMO tank maturity and good husbandry goes a long way to giving you the numbers you need.

Good luck

It is a very new tank, 2 months old since adding fish. I do t want either algae getting out of control as none of us do. I have probably just been running the skimmer to much because I did have higher Nitrates a few weeks ago, 15ppm

I understand the new tank struggles and don’t plan on doing anything rash but again Dino’s and cyanos need to go.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Assure youre not getting false reading as API is notorious for false readings. Simply take a water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use API test kits and have them test your water and see what readings they come up with.
Can you post pics under white lighting to verify its dinos?

 

[Markszy]

Assure youre not getting false reading as API is notorious for false readings. Simply take a water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use API test kits and have them test your water and see what readings they come up with.
Can you post pics under white lighting to verify its dinos?

 

[TxReefer21]

Here for the replies

 

[vetteguy53081]

Dino
Prepare by starting with a water change and blow this stuff loose with a turkey baster and siphon up loose particles.
Turn lights off (at least white and run blue at 10-15% IF you have light dependant corals) for 5 days and at night dose 1ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons for all 5 nights. If you dont have light dependent coral- turn all lights off.
During the day dose 1ml of liquid bacteria (such as bacter 7 or XLM) per 10 gallons.
Clean filters daily and DO NOT FEED CORAL FOODS OR ADD NOPOX as it is food for dinos.
Day 5,, you can start with blue lights - ramping up and work your white lights up slowly

 

[Markszy]

Dino
Prepare by starting with a water change and blow this stuff loose with a turkey baster and siphon up loose particles.
Turn lights off (at least white and run blue at 10-15% IF you have light dependant corals) for 5 days and at night dose 1ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons for all 5 nights. If you dont have light dependent coral- turn all lights off.
During the day dose 1ml of liquid bacteria (such as bacter 7 or XLM) per 10 gallons.
Clean filters daily and DO NOT FEED CORAL FOODS OR ADD NOPOX as it is food for dinos.
Day 5,, you can start with blue lights - ramping up and work your white lights up slowly

That’s what I was afraid of, I did a water change yesterday and used a my sand sucker (that’s the best way I could think of putting it) and it seemed to get worse. I only have a bubble tip anemone and a rock flower for now. Will they be ok with the 5 day blackout?

 

[vetteguy53081]

That’s what I was afraid of, I did a water change yesterday and used a my sand sucker (that’s the best way I could think of putting it) and it seemed to get worse. I only have a bubble tip anemone and a rock flower for now. Will they be ok with the 5 day blackout?

Yes. You can give 4% blue for about 6 hrs each day

 

[Markszy]

Yes. You can give 4% blue for about 6 hrs each day

So I got two Hanna checkers today. My phosphate in ultra low range is .32 and my nitrate is 4.8ppm

how do you get your fish to eat at night? My tangs are to scared to come out.

 

[Freenow54]

So I got two Hanna checkers today. My phosphate in ultra low range is .32 and my nitrate is 4.8ppm

how do you get your fish to eat at night? My tangs are to scared to come out.

Mine is the same. Have to survive the attack of the killer clown first a female of course story of my life lol. Feed them flakes. I have always fed my shy Tang Nori just use small pieces rub it between your thumb and finger and let it float down to them