Triton Results- Looking for a little advice

[BigKid4788]

Wanted to see if you could help w/my results. Little bit about my tank
-Been using Triton for 2-3 years. Have had very good results up until the last couple months. Had an algae issue so I used some GFO to reduce phosphates. It did the trick but I also lost color in my corals (faded), PE greatly reduced and lost my Efflo. Before that I hadn't lost a coral in over a year.

Lithium is high bcs of previous salt (ESV)
Al is elevated because I utilize Aluminum Phosphate remover (from Triton). Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks for viewing!
BigKid

 

[JimWelsh]

Trust me, your lithium is not high!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not know how high nickel needs to be to be a problem, but I wouldn't guess that is what is causing the pale corals.

How is nitrate? Might it be very low?

 

[BigKid4788]

Nitrates are undetectable. I have always had a tough time getting my Nitrates up. It seems my phosphates get high and I get algae issues but do not see nitrates elevate. What do you think about iodine being at 0? I've seen low iodine but never at 0.
Came home today and another acro dying. Need to find the reason quickly.

 

[twilliard]

From what I have learned is if when your po4 exceeds your no3 bacteria will die off.
The water is out of balance.
Unfortunately I do not see a quick repair of this situation.
The corals may be starving.

 

[BigKid4788]

I guess my question is how do I get my No3 higher than PO4? I would feed a lot and my corals would look really good but hair algae would start taking over. I know its a balance but my concern is that the hair algae would also kill the corals. I would do triton test and my PO4 would be .33 and corals looked great. No3 was undetectable (salifert).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Nitrates are undetectable. I have always had a tough time getting my Nitrates up. It seems my phosphates get high and I get algae issues but do not see nitrates elevate. What do you think about iodine being at 0? I've seen low iodine but never at 0.
Came home today and another acro dying. Need to find the reason quickly.

I do not believe the iodine is a concern, but nitrate too low might be and you may want to dose it. Corals get pale when it is too low.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I guess my question is how do I get my No3 higher than PO4? I would feed a lot and my corals would look really good but hair algae would start taking over. I know its a balance but my concern is that the hair algae would also kill the corals. I would do triton test and my PO4 would be .33 and corals looked great. No3 was undetectable (salifert).

It will typically be higher than phosphate, but I do not think that is the goal. Instead, target a specific nitrate level, such at 0.25 to 2 ppm.