NO3- Po4 X

specialk · Sep 28, 2016

Hey All -

Been running GFO like crazy (usually expels after like 4-5 days) and started 3 weeks ago running Rox Carbon as well. Have been battling phosphates for awhile now, but just tested and have slight nitrates (like 1 or 2 ppm, using the API test kit) and phosphate levels are coming down slightly (don't usually run PO4 tests -- just go by algae outbreaks and how often I have to mag float the glass walls from that green fuzz/slime) ...

..but seems this is a never ending battle (I have been running GFO for some time now .. like 2-3 months -- and again, just started running carbon again -- as I was not for some time) but I have about had it with these dang levels and it seems it is taking WAY to long ...

* other note - I have a fuge FILLED with chaeto macro algae as well. I also DO NOT over feed

So is it safe to run the Red Seas Nopox as well ? Or is that over kill and the risks are not worth it?

justingraham · Sep 28, 2016

1-2 nitrates is good keep it there don't go chasing 0

specialk · Sep 28, 2016

justingraham said:
1-2 nitrates is good keep it there don't go chasing 0

Ahhh ok. Seems I may be getting caught up in the numbers game then during this madness. This is really my 1st time battling phosphates and "not happy" sps so I am really trying to combat this...I guess Im just being impatient with these phosphate levels and waiting for my sps to get to full strength and potential

justingraham · Sep 28, 2016

The numbers don't matter( I mean they do if they are crazy high) but most corals just want consistency that's it. Keep major Params stable and everything will be fine in the end.
Corals actually hate 0s. Look on this website for proper levels for sps corals. Most people say 1-2 nitrate and .02 for phosphates.
So don't chase numbers chase stability and consistency.
How much alk and calcium do ur corals use up in 24 hours? That's the numbers u should be worry about

Waterjockey · Sep 28, 2016

NoPox is essentially another form of carbon dosing. Carbon dosing alone won't impact phosphates nearly as much as nitrates. You would still need to run some form of phosphate removal in addition to carbon if you are having phosphate issues. Gfo, LC, dosing nitrates are probably the most common methods of addressing high phosphates in conjunction with carbon dosing.

specialk · Sep 29, 2016

justingraham said:
The numbers don't matter( I mean they do if they are crazy high) but most corals just want consistency that's it. Keep major Params stable and everything will be fine in the end.
Corals actually hate 0s. Look on this website for proper levels for sps corals. Most people say 1-2 nitrate and .02 for phosphates.
So don't chase numbers chase stability and consistency.
How much alk and calcium do ur corals use up in 24 hours? That's the numbers u should be worry about

thanks for that advice... very good advice. I am going to really get on top of the testing and find out just how much I am running thru a day.

Also thanks for the reply waterjockey! Appreciated!