Question on Nitrate

[wgregww]

I’ve been carbon dosing with vinegar and my nitrates are 51 down from 62, my phosphates have bottomed out to 0. At this point can I keep dosing?

 

[MnFish1]

I’ve been carbon dosing with vinegar and my nitrates are 51 down from 62, my phosphates have bottomed out to 0. At this point can I keep dosing?

Yes - but how about a 50% water change - seems like you're dosing too much vinegar

 

[Uncle99]

Carbon dosing works well pulling nitrates but seems not to have a large effect on phosphate.
If your phosphate is really zero, bump that up to 0.05ppm and maintain that level and continue to carbon dose downwards to your target, then maintain that level stable as well.
Availability is a must and stability remains king IMM.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I’ve been carbon dosing with vinegar and my nitrates are 51 down from 62, my phosphates have bottomed out to 0. At this point can I keep dosing?

Is this in a fowlr tank?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I’ve been carbon dosing with vinegar and my nitrates are 51 down from 62, my phosphates have bottomed out to 0. At this point can I keep dosing?

You CAN, but why? What corals are you keeping? Nitrates of 50-60 aren't that high...

 

[wgregww]

Is this in a fowlr tank?

Yes, I understand it’s not all that high but I feel it will help keep Dino’s down, and I gave some green hair algae although it’s not that bad. the tank is 11 months old and still get them.

 

[wgregww]

Carbon dosing works well pulling nitrates but seems not to have a large effect on phosphate.
If your phosphate is really zero, bump that up to 0.05ppm and maintain that level and continue to carbon dose downwards to your target, then maintain that level stable as well.
Availability is a must and stability remains king IMM.

How do I bump up phosphates?

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Yes, I understand it’s not all that high but I feel it will help keep Dino’s down, the tank is 11 months old and still get them.

Ok. But having dinos is a completely separate issue, but not impossible. Especially with a fowlr tank. If the dino goes away at night, then returns during the day, a 3-5 day blackout as often as required can help a lot. I am not aware of higher nitrates causing dino.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes, I understand it’s not all that high but I feel it will help keep Dino’s down, and I gave some green hair algae although it’s not that bad. the tank is 11 months old and still get them.

11 months old is still young-ish...

 

[wgregww]

11 months old is still young-ish...

I think they are diatoms, not Dino. My bad

 

[Uncle99]

How do I bump up phosphates?

I use Brightwell Neo-phos or Seachem Flourish.
You need to be able to test your levels regularly until they “hold”. Then stop and continue to measure. Only if levels consistently rise, should you take further action.