Nitrates

Scubalou · Jul 8, 2023

I have tried everything from nopx to carbon dosing water changes reactors you name it but my nitrates always come back and are high what am I doing wrong also my phosphate are always zero can anyone help me this has been going on for a couple of years. Thank you Lou

Stephen8169301 · Jul 9, 2023

Scubalou said:
I have tried everything from nopx to carbon dosing water changes reactors you name it but my nitrates always come back and are high what am I doing wrong also my phosphate are always zero can anyone help me this has been going on for a couple of years. Thank you Lou

Tell me a little about your tank. size? Gravity test kits fish

Scubalou · Jul 9, 2023

Stephen8169301 said:
Tell me a little about your tank. size? Gravity test kits fish

Tank size 90gal switched from 75gal I have been doing saltwater for about 25 years just switched to 90 about 2 years ago all numbers are in line I just have one fish in the tank so feeding not the issue just can't figure it out never had this problem before. I am reaching the point of packing it in I just have to much invested in my systems. Thank you for reaching out Lou

Stephen8169301 · Jul 9, 2023

Scubalou said:
Tank size 90gal switched from 75gal I have been doing saltwater for about 25 years just switched to 90 about 2 years ago all numbers are in line I just have one fish in the tank so feeding not the issue just can't figure it out never had this problem before. I am reaching the point of packing it in I just have to much invested in my systems. Thank you for reaching out Lou

what is the test kit your using? Do you have a refugium? When you say high what’s the number?

Scubalou · Jul 10, 2023

Stephen8169301 said:
what is the test kit your using? Do you have a refugium? When you say high what’s the number?

HANNA tests kits a lot of times nitrates 75 I have a micro algae scrubber but I just shut it down because all it was growing was slimie algae I think because of no phosphates

Scubalou · Jul 12, 2023

I hope you have been getting my replies not sure if I am doing this right please let me know

Stephen8169301 · Jul 12, 2023

Scubalou said:
I hope you have been getting my replies not sure if I am doing this right please let me know

Have you looked into vodka dosing?
I’ve personally never done it so you’d have to research on that

Scubalou · Jul 15, 2023

Yes I am doing it daily with no luck I have talked to one of the places I get my fish and corals from and they had no answer for my problem

rogersb · Jul 15, 2023

Are you using RO water? Your top off or source water might be the culprit.

Miami Reef · Jul 15, 2023

Test your fresh saltwater or make some saltwater with your freshwater reservoir and test nitrates, then report back.

Dose phosphates if it’s actually 0.

Scubalou · Jul 16, 2023

I tested my RO and mixed saltwater and nitrates are zero

Stephen8169301 · Jul 16, 2023

Scubalou said:
I tested my RO and mixed saltwater and nitrates are zero

How much skimmate is your protein skimmer producing

Miami Reef · Jul 16, 2023

Scubalou said:
I tested my RO and mixed saltwater and nitrates are zero

That’s good.

Since you’re phosphates are bottomed out, the organisms in your tank will have trouble utilizing the carbon source (they need phosphates, nitrates, and carbon to grow).

I would dose phosphates, which should allow other beneficial microbes to outcompete the slimy algae (most likely dinoflagellates). Neophos by bright well is readily available, but there are higher purity available on Amazon.

For the nitrates, stick with the carbon dosing. It will work so long as phosphates are available. Make sure you run a skimmer to remove the extra bacteria.