NO3 & PO4 are zero- now what?

[KingBlingTX]

I've switched over to the AF products a few weeks ago. I've seen my nitrates and phosphates drop down to 0 over the last week, so I'm wondering if I'm stripping the nutrients down too much. (NO3 measured on Red Sea Pro test and PO4 on Hanna low range checker).

It's a 40g tank and here's my current water parameters:

Salinity- 35 ppt
pH- 8.0-8.3
ALK- 7.3
Cal- 450
Mag- 1420
NO3- 0
PO4- 0

I'm running one reactor with Zeomix, AF Carbon, & Phosphate - and another reactor full of Seachem De*Nitrate media. I dosing 1 drop daily for each AF ProBio S & NP Pro. I also dose 1 drop twice/week of the AF Coral A,V, B, E products. I also feed the fish in the tank heavily each day.

I do have some algae, although not a problematic amount. Thin film forms on glass daily. So the question I have now is whether to make a change to increase the nutrients a little? If so, what is the best approach? e.g. reduce the dosing of ProBio S/NP Pro to every other day, reduce skimmer hours, remove the Phosphate Minus, something else

Any thoughts/suggestions would be welcome. I know in the past 0 readings were thought to be desirable, but now it seems like the low range of nutrients (<5ppm for Nitrate, ~0.04 PO4) is more ideal.

 

[jsker]

Yes feed more to get the No3's up to around 3 to 5 and Po4 to a trace and not higher then .02 ppm or you your corals will start to starve.

What test are you using to get your numbers?

 

[Supurderek]

It depends on what you are looking to do. You mentioned dosing, but what kind of corals do you have? Thin film of algae may just be due to your extra feeding. I would leave skimmer going. Especially if you do any form of carbon dosing.

 

[KingBlingTX]

Yes feed more to get the No3's up to around 3 to 5 and Po4 to a trace and not higher then .02 ppm or you your corals will start to starve.

What test are you using to get your numbers?

I'm using Red Sea Pro test for NO3 (low range is 0-2ppm scale) and Hanna Low Range phosphate checker.

I already feed pretty heavily, so I'm wondering if it makes more sense to remove/reduce the things I have removing them instead of adding more nutrients (e.g. removing Phosphate Minus, ZeoMix, etc...)

 

[KingBlingTX]

You mentioned dosing, but what kind of corals do you have?

It's an SPS frag tank. Only carbon dosing is what is in the daily drop of NP-Pro.

 

[jsker]

I'm using Red Sea Pro test for NO3 (low range is 0-2ppm scale) and Hanna Low Range phosphate checker.

I already feed pretty heavily, so I'm wondering if it makes more sense to remove/reduce the things I have removing them instead of adding more nutrients (e.g. removing Phosphate Minus, ZeoMix, etc...)

Yes

I wish I had the problem of 0 po4 and no3's I am just try to get my dosage of Np pro and pro bio s right

 

[seargentslice]

Yes

I wish I had the problem of 0 po4 and no3's I am just try to get my dosage of Np pro and pro bio s right

If zero no3 PO4 I would pull zeomix and cut back np pro... Continue Addatives Every tank is different Have to find your import export balance. Cleaning glass daily myself..

 

[SewerynAquaforest]

If you feed heavily there is no problem with low nutrients. Don't worry you have it but your test don't show it ... If you gol is to have nice sps corals you are on right way. Good t5 light feed corals and you will see good results soon. Don't worry too much about the film on the glass. It is a sign that you have biology in your tank. If it will be too much just reduce dosing and observe.

 

[120reefkeeper]

With my system I followed the directions to the letter until I reached ULNS. Then I throttled back just a touch on the np pro and bio s. I feed heavy and adjusted my dosing of ABVE. For my system it called for 4 drops of np/ bios then I dropped back to 3 drops. Seems perfect now! [emoji4]