Nitrate reduction with low phosphates

[RareEarthCorals]

Should be in the beginning processes of colonization, big question is how much of a difference it has made, and if nitrates are reducing and no longer compounding. Your phosphates are probably at the same levels as before. They should also be reduced in balance with nitrates, although never really eliminating either of the two. They should balance at their lowest levels or you will start fighting higher algae levels.

At the moment I have balanced out the phosphate with filter media, keeping the two in check finally dismissing what was left of a small Cyano outbreak. This is what I use for the phosphate and it works to keep it low but not eliminating it.

 

[pickupman66]

Tested tonight and nitrates were 0 to 5ppm on api. Phosphate was 0.02. I'm pleased just a little cyano where the torch keeps zoas in check. And some green on the floor glass. I clean the sides twice a week maybe but it gets hard quick and I have to use flipper. My cheato is reducing and corals look happy. I feed the eq of 2 frozen cubes a day. One is pe mysis and other is a mix. I have 2 anthias, 2 clowns, a small tang, potters angel, chromis and a fat 6 line.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Great to hear, it is right where you want it. It will sometimes get as high at 10ppm when cleaning and if you overfeed any. It will take about a week for it to come back down. Cheato is fighting for nitrates so it will shrink up some to a point of balance between the two. All the best!!!

 

[bknapp]

Could you go into a little more detail regarding your nitrate coil, how it works and how you made it?

Thanks.

 

[pickupman66]

Brandon, lemme splain this for yous....

Ok. So principal nitrate reduction occurs with bacteria colonizing in oxygen depleted area. Deep within rocks, deep in sand and then also used by macro algaes. The coil works by providing a surface area for ammonia reducing bacteria who use oxygen in the first third to colonize and produce nitrite. Then the next set of bacteria colonize and change nitrite to nitrate and consume oxygen. By this point the water should be devoid of oxygen and the bacteria convert it to nitrogen gas in the water. Water moves slowly through the tube. To make get 60 feet of 1/4 black tubing and run water through it at a rate of a few drops per second. Just barely under a steady stream imo. You need a valve at the end to control flow. As for tubing I just chose to house mine in some 4"pvc.


And that's after a few beers so don't hate me on the details.

 

[bknapp]

LoL.

Thanks.

 

[roadrashpaul]

Any update on this Lindsey?

 

[pickupman66]

Man, my tank has settled into low nitrates and phosphates. I feel like I can feed whatever I want and the tank just absorbs and processes it. So I think it was a perceived issue that was really just not there. Biggest fight now keeping the alkalinity stable. My tank is inhaling it yet has no sps. Must be the LPS and clam.

In addition my anemones are all looking fantastic.

 

[Larry L]

Try nopox been hearing great stuff about it.

I don't think he wants to be using NOPOX - he said his problem was that the nitrates are high but the phosphates are already low enough.