Priorities - step one for High nitrates, low phosphates?

[1mbrews8]

Little background. Some coral looking fine, but some definitely ticked off/dying in the 330g total system. Haven’t had coral thrive in a very very very long time which is why I’m trying to get it back on the ball..

Trident =
ALK is 8.54
Cal is 422
Mag is 13

Tank is probably 12 years old total, but just trying to get it back on the ball the last 2-3 months.

Blew off the rocks and stirred/siphon sand a bit
did did a big water change right after, about a week ago of 100 gallons

salifert test (2 diff ones to be sure) is nitrates over 100 for the last two or three. We tried some math and stuff ;0) and figure it’s around 175 to 200 to be more specific

just got my Hannah ultra low range phosphate meter in today, first test said .03

ordered some trisodium phosphate but not in yet

Ordered some more Fiji pink sand to either add to or replace some of the old sand but not in yet

In the past have a very in frequently. Started feeding do it yourself frozen food more often, about three times a week now

got some vodka and vinegar ready to dose whenever I should

The main thing is is that I heard there’s no point in doing the water change to reduce nitrates since the phosphates are not anywhere near correct ratio. So I’m wondering if likewise there is no reason to start vodka vinegar dosing until phosphate is more of correct ratio.

** Does it matter, what should I do first, what would be the exact pho’s number I should be waiting for, if I should be waiting at all?

Thanks!

 

[andrewey]

If I were in your shoes, I would hold off on carbon dosing and dropping your nitrate until your phosphate was a bit higher. Obviously carbon dosing will lower nitrate MUCH more than phosphate, but given that you are currently at 0.03 already and are going to be dropping your nitrate quite a bit, I would hold off until your phosphate was a bit higher to give you more "cushion". Your trisodium phosphate will probably arrive in the next few days and given the fact this has been going on quite a while, it seems reasonable to wait a few days more to buy yourself some "insurance" and the ability to keep your phosphate appropriate while your nitrates start to drop. That's just what I would do in this situation, personally. Sure, it will take a bit of time for the carbon dosing to take effect as you ramp up, but I'd rather not try and "time everything right" and would rather have all my "tools" available if I needed to make changes.

 

[1mbrews8]

If I were in your shoes, I would hold off on carbon dosing and dropping your nitrate until your phosphate was a bit higher. Obviously carbon dosing will lower nitrate MUCH more than phosphate, but given that you are currently at 0.03 already and are going to be dropping your nitrate quite a bit, I would hold off until your phosphate was a bit higher to give you more "cushion". Your trisodium phosphate will probably arrive in the next few days and given the fact this has been going on quite a while, it seems reasonable to wait a few days more to buy yourself some "insurance" and the ability to keep your phosphate appropriate while your nitrates start to drop. That's just what I would do in this situation, personally. Sure, it will take a bit of time for the carbon dosing to take effect as you ramp up, but I'd rather not try and "time everything right" and would rather have all my "tools" available if I needed to make changes.

Thank you!
So basically once the trisodium phosphate is in my hands, then start carbon dosing.

What should I keep the phosphates at or what should I try to bring them up to during vinegar vodka dosing?