Nitrate Surprise with NYOS

[Salt1972]

We started using a NYOS Nitrate test kit in January 2018. The color comparison method and colors were much easier to use than the API kit we had used previously and reviews were positive--

All year, we've maintained 3-5ppm NO3... or so we thought. We exhausted reagent A and, so, reordered a new NYOS nitrate kit.

Imagine our surprise when we measured 20ppm NO3. I thought the new kit might be off, so I tested with API and got a similar reading. We further tested with Red Sea and got a similar reading. We then tested with the new NYOS kit, but used the reagent B from the original kit--- and got a reading of 5ppm. Uh oh. It appears that the reagent we used all year was giving us false low readings.

So-- now we need to reduce nitrates in our 125g mixed reef. Our primary nutrient export is a small refugium with a mix of Caleurpa and Chaeto (under a Kessil H80) and GFO. We began dosing Iron because that causes our Caleurpa to grow quickly. We also did a 40g water change. Any other recommendations to get our nitrate numbers down?

We keep a host of LPS and softies along with some SPS frags in addition to 13 green chromis, 2 O clowns, and 4 Anthias.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cmcoker]

How's everything growing? Any problems? I personally wouldnt change anything. My lfs shoots for 20ppm in his SPS tank, and it looks great.
If it ain't broke...

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I agree. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If tank is happy and inhabitants thriving I would let it ride. No number chasing. It’ll lead to more problems than solutions.

 

[Salt1972]

Thanks for the responses thus far. As far as don't fix what isn't broke... I agree. We're not in a hurry to make huge changes, but... our success with SPS frags has been less than stellar.

Duncans, Frogspawn, and GSP grow like crazy. Jingle bell cyphastrea grows, but slowly. The monti, cap, maze brain, & birdsnest wither slowly.

Other parameters are solid / stable:
1.026 salinity
78 deg
8.5dKh (Hanna)
475ppm Ca (Hanna)
1440ppm Mag (NYOS)
.08 PO4 (Hanna)
20ppm NO3 (NYOS, Red Sea, API)
8.2 pH

Lighting is (4) Kessil 360's over a 6' 125g. Approx 7" off water on a 12 hour photo period ramping up/ down - peak at 75%

 

[Justfebreezeit]

How long have most of the sps been in the tank?

 

[Salt1972]

How long have most of the sps been in the tank?

The Maze Brain (or what's left of it), sunset monti, and the cyphastrea have been in there since Jan 2018. The birds nest, cap, and digitata have been in ~6 weeks.

 

[cmcoker]

I'd see where the changes you made get you and see how the coral reacts.
Tank is to still young for sps

 

[Salt1972]

I'd see where the changes you made get you and see how the coral reacts.
Tank is to still young for sps

Tank was started in Sept. 2017 with live rock. Is that still too young?

 

[tgrick]

Tank was started in Sept. 2017 with live rock. Is that still too young?

I started my tank last year in Dec. 17 and grow all types of SPS with no issue. In fact, I'm going to need to take a chisel to a piece or two. I do not think your issue is Nitrates as 20 is within reason. Do you know how much light you have? A PAR reading? How is your flow? How do you top off your tank? RO water or Kalk? This last question is perhaps the most important as I feel early SPS success is tied into stable calcium and magnesium. Do you see coralline algae growth? No growth...no SPS. Do you run a calcium reactor or 2 part?

 

[Salt1972]

I started my tank last year in Dec. 17 and grow all types of SPS with no issue. In fact, I'm going to need to take a chisel to a piece or two. I do not think your issue is Nitrates as 20 is within reason. Do you know how much light you have? A PAR reading? How is your flow? How do you top off your tank? RO water or Kalk? This last question is perhaps the most important as I feel early SPS success is tied into stable calcium and magnesium. Do you see coralline algae growth? No growth...no SPS. Do you run a calcium reactor or 2 part?

We have (4) Kessil 360's over a 6' 125g. We do not have a PAR meter. Flow is medium, but that's a relative term. It's as high as Duncans, Frogspawn, and GSP will tolerate (and they are waving all about). We have an ATO with RO/DI. We dose 2 BRS 2 Part and target (and maintain) 8.5dKh, 475Ca, & 1400+ Mag. We have Coralline all over. It appears light purple under the blue light. When I use a flashlight to view the tank at night, the purple is vivid. Thanks for your help.

 

[tgrick]

Oh...I did not use live rock either. Here is the tank...

 

[tgrick]

What you listed sounds perfect. You need to get a par meter to figure out lighting...

 

[tgrick]

I will add this...

I strongly believe that a large tank benefits greatly with the addition of kalkwasser. I'm also a very strong proponent of calcium reactors as I find they help maintain constant levels. Everything has it's pro's and con's but I would look into the possibility. The savings in coral life and not having to purchase two part will make up that cost. Difficult? Only looking ahead. Once you have it running you kick yourself for how easy it is...