Think Your Nutrients Are Too Low?

[Servillius]

If you believe you have low nutrients and this is causing your corals to suffer, please let me know what carbon you use, how much you use, how often you change it, and what sort of reactor you run it in.

Just curious.

 

[wattson]

small particle lignite carbon,,2.5 cups,,170 gallon system,,changed every 2 weeks,BRS reactor,,all softies/zoa/paly

 

[don_chuwish]

When I did have that problem (0 nitrates) I was usually using BRS ROX in their dual reactor chamber, both full. And running the skimmer 24/7. I've stopped the carbon and have been feeding more, plus reducing skimming time to 16 hours per day, 8PM to noon. Now I'm trying to bring nitrates back down a bit, as they've climbed to 4ppm - 8ppm.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Does using carbon reduce nitrates? I have never noticed that before...I have not run it for several years but my no3 is creeping up while my po4 is so low...thinking of running carbon to balance it out.

 

[John3]

I don’t think carbon gravel is reducing the nitrates, it’s dosibg a carbon source like vodka, vinegar, or as I recently found out vitamins c that lowers your nitrates. Dosing these carbon sources causes bacteria to grow that will then take care of the nitrates.

 

[Servillius]

I don’t think carbon gravel is reducing the nitrates, it’s dosibg a carbon source like vodka, vinegar, or as I recently found out vitamins c that lowers your nitrates. Dosing these carbon sources causes bacteria to grow that will then take care of the nitrates.

You are correct, the black stuff we stick in bags and reactors does not reduce nitrates. I’ve noticed a pattern wherein aggressive use does cause the same symptoms as what people describe as too little nitrates in my ULNS. I’m wondering if aggressive carbon scavenging of organics is part of the problem. There is very little data here so far, but the little there is increased slightly my confidence in my conjecture.