Still Getting Low Nitrate and No Phos

[RobertTheNurse]

At amazon, try searching food grade sodium phosphate.

I did. Nadda.

 

[redeyejedi]

I would just express feed the tank. If you feed once a day then feed twice with frozen food to get nitrate up, and will help phos. Also feed more reef roids to bump phos up. Its up to you but no need to play mad scientist with bottled stuff if you dont need to.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I would just express feed the tank. If you feed once a day then feed twice with frozen food to get nitrate up, and will help phos. Also feed more reef roids to bump phos up. Its up to you but no need to play mad scientist with bottled stuff if you dont need to.

Ya. That's what I've been trying to do. It's my absolute last resort-- believe me. I failed chemistry twice.

 

[redeyejedi]

Ya. That's what I've been trying to do. It's my absolute last resort-- believe me. I failed chemistry twice.

Then just feed a bit more. It will rise.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

Then just feed a bit more. It will rise.

I'm actually quite flabbergasted that it's remained low. I only run a cannister filter. I had my water tested at a trusted LFS and they detected same. Low nitrate and undetected phos. I used salifert at home. I'm dumbfounded

 

[redeyejedi]

I'm actually quite flabbergasted that it's remained low. I only run a cannister filter. I had my water tested at a trusted LFS and they detected same. Low nitrate and undetected phos. I used salifert at home. I'm dumbfounded

Well you're corals will love you with all the feeding.. and the fish won't complain either. And on top of that its all natural.

 

[nereefpat]

I may have missed it. How are you measuring phosphate? If it's a Hanna checker, which specific one?

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I may have missed it. How are you measuring phosphate? If it's a Hanna checker, which specific one?

Not a Hanna. That's why I took it to my LFS he tested twice...said its literally undetectable.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I'm planning on buying a UV sterilizer anyway. I'm buying that at a different store I often go to. I'll bring some water there and get a second opinion.

 

[nereefpat]

Not a Hanna. That's why I took it to my LFS he tested twice...said its literally undetectable.

If not checked with an Ultra Low Range Hanna Phosphorous checker, then I don't believe that it's zero. Undetectable on a color comparison kit doesn't mean much, since the Hanna ULR is the only one that can read in a useful range.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

If not checked with an Ultra Low Range Hanna Phosphorous checker, then I don't believe that it's zero. Undetectable on a color comparison kit doesn't mean much, since the Hanna ULR is the only one that can read in a useful range.

Ya I forget exactly what they said all I remember is they said "I even checked with the...." and I forget what "the" was lol

I'll get another opinion

 

[Ncarlson]

Buy a Hanna phosphate ultra low range. Digital readout, super easy. I have a similar setup, canister filter no sump or skimmer, all softies live rock and a couple fish. Phosphate measure .02-.08 regularly and are undetectable by other test kits...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I did. Nadda.

Are you not in the US? I see several brands.

 

[Kfactor]

I gave up on my no3 and po4 there always zero no matter what I do now am just trying dosing aminos and see what the colours and health will look like . Right now there pail and not doing to good .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I gave up on my no3 and po4 there always zero no matter what I do now am just trying dosing aminos and see what the colours and health will look like . Right now there pail and not doing to good .

At best they are still missing phosphate.

There is never a situation where you cannot dose enough to get detectable levels of nitrate and phosphate, assuming the kit is working.

 

[Kfactor]

At best they are still missing phosphate.

There is never a situation where you cannot dose enough to get detectable levels of nitrate and phosphate, assuming the kit is working.

I can get no3 up a bit but when I do I get Dino’s / algae and po4 I have dosed it a lot and it’s always zero I have tried 3 test kits and my hanna lowrange with all reading zero . Am scared to does to much I was almost double dosing the amount it told me too