Nitrate WONT DROP - even with NOPOX

[theMeat]

Nopox or any type carbon dosing works but takes time. Sometimes a month or longer. Blowing off the rocks can help speed the process. Once you see it start to drop it will execrate so keep testing so you can reduce dosage to avoid bottoming out.

 

[Jon_W79]

I think you should get some ZEOvit ZEOfood plus, it's one of the three main parts of the ZEOvit system, it is partly for the heterotrophic bacteria(the vitamins in it), I believe that it will work with NOPOX.

 

[Dhaleillama]

When you dosed Microbacter7 for a week, did you dose it daily?

Yes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that it just takes time for organic carbon dosing to work and there is no rush. 40 ppm nitrate is not an emergency.

If nitrate is stable after a few weeks, then upping the dose is fine.

That all assumes you have confidence in your test method.

 

[EakTheFreak]

I agree that it just takes time for organic carbon dosing to work and there is no rush. 40 ppm nitrate is not an emergency.

If nitrate is table after a few weeks, then upping the dose is fine.

That all assumes you have confidence in your test method.

I’m using the Hannah HR Nitrate checker. Do you trust that one?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m using the Hannah HR Nitrate checker. Do you trust that one?

Maybe, if it is used exactly correctly. lol

 

[EakTheFreak]

Maybe, if it is used exactly correctly. lol

No gaurantees there lol

 

[EakTheFreak]

Quick update, been dosing 20ML and Nitrate have dropped down to 23.4PPM as of today.

I think I will stick @ 20 ML but test every other day as I don’t want these to bottom out!’

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Quick update, been dosing 20ML and Nitrate have dropped down to 23.4PPM as of today.

I think I will stick @ 20 ML but test every other day as I don’t want these to bottom out!’

Sounds good. Too low is worse than too high, IMO.

 

[EakTheFreak]

Sounds good. Too low is worse than too high, IMO.

Good to know! What level nitrates do you recommend for an LPS/Softy tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Good to know! What level nitrates do you recommend for an LPS/Softy tank?

2-10 ppm is a good target for most tanks, IMO.

 

[Billldg]

I’m using the Hannah HR Nitrate checker. Do you trust that one?

I trust it, I use one as well.

Just make sure to keep the vials clean.

 

[EakTheFreak]

Update:

With 15ML per day now I have successfully dropped from 40PPM to 18.2PPM Nitrates using Hannah HR Nitrate Checker.

Coral’s look better and water appears more clear which I didn’t even think was a real thing with Nitrate’s being lowered. Anyone know?

Also, I’ve noticed my skimmer appears to be pulling out darker substances during this carbon dosing period. I think I will bring the final Nitrate number down to 8-10 PPM and figure out what that maintenance dose would be.

The NoPox does feed the corals as well correct?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The NoPox does feed the corals as well correct?

At least some of the components in NOPOX (the acetate) will be consumed by corals and many tank organisms. Corals may also consume bacteria and other microorganisms that are spurred to grow by the NOPOX.

 

[Tamberav]

Good Evening R2R,

I’ve been dosing 35ML of Nopox daily for the last 5 days and the Nitrates are not dropping. I started with 48.5ppm with the Hannah HR nitrate checker. After 2 days it did drop to 38 ppm but just sticks around this 40 ppm range.

Does anyone else have issues with NOPOX not reducing nitrates? Or ideas for why it wouldn’t be reducing the nitrates or ways to make it work better?


Here are my parameters . I have a 131 gallon water box with sump which equates to probably 160 gallons of total water.

Salinity - 1.025
Dkh - 9.1
Calcium - 450
Magnesium - 1400
Phosphate - .05
Nitrate - 40ppm (THE PROBLEM)

Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

Thanks!!

Keep an eye on phosphate. Remember nopox and carbon dosing reduces both. You don’t want to drive phosphate to 0 as it will negatively impact corals and potentially bring on things like Dino.

 

[EakTheFreak]

Keep an eye on phosphate. Remember nopox and carbon dosing reduces both. You don’t want to drive phosphate to 0 as it will negatively impact corals and potentially bring on things like Dino.

I started adding in an second small feeding of pellets to increase phosphates for the time being. They are holding steady at .05-.08 during the decrease in Nitrate.

I’m not sure if it’s from the pellets or if I’ve just been lucky but it’s worked so far.

 

[elcapitan1993]

How often should I test my nitrates with dosing 35 ML per day. Daily or weekly?

2 times a week as stated on the Red Sea NOPOX bottle is what I do

 

[EakTheFreak]

Update!!!

phosphate - .07
Nitrate - 4.7 ppm (Hannah HR)

In 2 days I went from 18 ppm nitrate down to 4.7 ppm nitrate and was worried when I saw how light colored the test ml was. I will hold in this range now but good to know that in 2 days things can drop this fast and thank god I tested!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd keep carefully monitoring to be sure the change is not random test error. That seems unusually fast.

 

[EakTheFreak]

I'd keep carefully monitoring to be sure the change is not random test error. That seems unusually fast.

Will do, thanks!