Struggling with Nitrate & Phosphate

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

I had the same issue , algae was locking up the nutrients . When it died nutrients was back in . I used vibrant , then Dino x with a reduced 6 hr photo period. Worked for me .

I need to do something, I e already dialed back the lighting to less hours. But only a week ago.

 

[NS Mike D]

Why wouldn't I pour the strained off liquid full of nitrates into the tank right now ? as a means to increase the nitrates to a healthy level.

yup good thinking. Assuming you Hanna tests are accurate, nuisance algae/bacteria can grab N from other sources when trace amounts of PO4 are present which coral cannot do. So it doesn't surprise me at that you have some building in the tank.

Your corals are going to love the addition of the defrosted water.

A good point was made in an earlier post about too much chemical filtration. IMO, if you are struggling at zero NO3 and PO4, cut back on filtration until you level off at you target NO3 and PO4 levels.

Balance and stability.

 

[Hallowhead]

If you’re having trouble with low nitrates may I suggest adding more fish to increase nitrate production? You can also manually dose potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate. There’s an online calculator for dosing nitrates that works well. I dose potassium nitrate whenever my nitrates get too close to 0-5ppm. I keep mine at 10ppm. I have a lot of corals an not many fish so I I have the same issue. Problem with nitrates at 0ppm is some of your coral will start to starve.

Here’s the calculator if you decide to dose. Search reef2reef for threads on dosing sodium and potassium nitrate if you’d like more info.

http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/calculator.htm

can you link me to the potassium nitrate you dose?

 

[lbacha]

can you link me to the potassium nitrate you dose?

Green leaf aquatics is where I get my potassium nitrate and mono potassium phosphate

 

[OREGONIC]

I dose neo phos and neo nitro to my ato to keep levels stable. Its cheap and easy, I add one cap of neo phos and two caps of neo nitro to my 5 gallon ato res every time I fill it.

 

[Area 51 Aquatics]

I dose neo phos and neo nitro to my ato to keep levels stable. Its cheap and easy, I add one cap of neo phos and two caps of neo nitro to my 5 gallon ato res every time I fill it.

How big is your tank? Total water volume?

 

[Droberts0724]

How big is your tank? Total water volume?

32 gallons but maybe about 27 gsllins of water...I have an ATO but usually dose for alk...I just bought a new GFO and desperately need a new CUC