Phytoplankton to raise nutrients?

[TWYOUNG]

I've had ZERO nutrient levels for weeks now despite overfeeding and dosing TM Plus-NP, (doubling the dose didn't help). Before I start trying other chemical products I'm curious about increasing my phyto dosing. The tank is fish only at this point and phyto is feeding pods. The only negative consequence I've found of overfeeding phyto is rising nutrients. That being the case why not try using something natural which will help boost my pod population? Currently I'm adding 30mls Ocean Magic daily to a 150 gallon tank which has no coral as yet.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I've had ZERO nutrient levels for weeks now despite overfeeding and dosing TM Plus-NP, (doubling the dose didn't help). Before I start trying other chemical products I'm curious about increasing my phyto dosing. The tank is fish only at this point and phyto is feeding pods. The only negative consequence I've found of overfeeding phyto is rising nutrients. That being the case why not try using something natural which will help boost my pod population? Currently I'm adding 30mls Ocean Magic daily to a 150 gallon tank which has no coral as yet.

For what it’s worth I add Phyto daily to lower my nutrients and it 100% works

 

[((FORDTECH))]

How about backing off one or the other and feeding more

 

[TWYOUNG]

How about backing off one or the other and feeding more

I'm feeding a lot, (I think) tree times/day. Back off one or the other what?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I'm feeding a lot, (I think) tree times/day. Back off one or the other what?

The phyto or tm plus

 

[TWYOUNG]

The phyto or tm plus

I’m out of TM plus and it didn’t do anything so that’s a done deal. Are you thinking the phytoplankton is eating up my nitrates and phosphates?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d recommend more regular feeding even if high, or dose N and P.

 

[Spare time]

What is the current filtration setup?

 

[TWYOUNG]

What is the current filtration setup?

Two COR 20's. One line runs thru skimmer with flow kept around 160gph and merges into main return which runs at approximately,(no flow meter on that one), the same rate for about 2 1/2 times tank turnover. 100 lbs CaribSea LifeRock, 80 lbs AragAlive sand, 24 Marinepure blocks.

 

[TWYOUNG]

I’d recommend more regular feeding even if high, or dose N and P.

I'm not sure how much more I can feed without it eventually ending up in the filter socks. Perhaps there's something stronger than TM Plus-NP bc my system was eating it up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm not sure how much more I can feed without it eventually ending up in the filter socks. Perhaps there's something stronger than TM Plus-NP bc my system was eating it up.

Perhaps just remove the socks

 

[TWYOUNG]

Perhaps just remove the socks

I've thought about that but it really goes against my nature to let things go to that extent ! I'm guessing I wouldn't run my on again off again skimmer either?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've thought about that but it really goes against my nature to let things go to that extent ! I'm guessing I wouldn't run my on again off again skimmer either?

I’d personally ditch the socks before the skimmer. I’d always use a skimmer even if I had to dose N and P, because it does a lot more than export N and P, such as gas exchange and reduced yellowing.

 

[TWYOUNG]

I’d personally ditch the socks before the skimmer. I’d always use a skimmer even if I had to dose N and P, because it does a lot more than export N and P, such as gas exchange and reduced yellowing.

Since the tank is only 3 months old I've been running the skimmer,(which produced little skimmate), open most of that time allowing it to "break in" while not actually removing anything.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Since the tank is only 3 months old I've been running the skimmer,(which produced little skimmate), open most of that time allowing it to "break in" while not actually removing anything.

Id run a skimmer 24/7 even if it did nothing but aerate the water.

 

[TWYOUNG]

Id run a skimmer 24/7 even if it did nothing but aerate the water.

If I could bother you for one more opinion. Since we're talking about taking out socks I'd like to share pics of the "gunk" I get in my socks which necessitates daily changes. I believe it to be possibly diatomaceous

as I have had some issues with them. I've been very successful establishing my pod populaton and when I examine this under a scope pods are all over it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, I can’t see much there that helps identify organisms, and I’m not very good at that anyway.

 

[minus9]

Do you have a CUC? Also, three times a day isn't a lot in regards to feeding. I feed my tank at least six times a day and I'm dosing a half ppm of nitrate each night. Do you have a full tank shot with more whites on and less blue so we can see how everything looks?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Do you have a CUC? Also, three times a day isn't a lot in regards to feeding. I feed my tank at least six times a day and I'm dosing a half ppm of nitrate each night. Do you have a full tank shot with more whites on and less blue so we can see how everything looks?

I feed my take 14 times a day she got to imagine when I hear someone say they feed heavy at three times a day I just laugh
A plank feeder is one of the best things I’ve invested my money on in this hobby

 

[TWYOUNG]

I feed my take 14 times a day she got to imagine when I hear someone say they feed heavy at three times a day I just laugh
A plank feeder is one of the best things I’ve invested my money on in this hobby

Well the fish looked stuffed all the time and are unable to eat everything I put in there. Once the pumps kick back on extra food is just going into filter socks. Not going to an automatic feeder and cutting up my $$$ lid. CUC is all small snails, Trochus x3, Conch x1, x25, Nassarius x10, Cerith x20, (assuming they're all still alive). 15 small fish, largest is 3" Foxface. Did the best I could on pics. As usual the HORRIBLE Mobius wasn't cooperating.