True PO4 and NO3 Numbers?

[JPK_Esquire]

I’ve determined that I’m fighting GHA. PO4 and NO3 are near zero and even went to zero a couple of weeks ago. Multiple microscope views confirms not dinos (at least yet). I’m guessing the GHA is sucking up the phosphates and nitrates giving false readings on my tests.

So how do I get the correct readings and know when PO4 and NO3 are REALLY zero? Obviously want to avoid REAL zeros to avoid dinos.

 

[Pistondog]

I’ve determined that I’m fighting GHA. PO4 and NO3 are near zero and even went to zero a couple of weeks ago. Multiple microscope views confirms not dinos (at least yet). I’m guessing the GHA is sucking up the phosphates and nitrates giving false readings on my tests.

So how do I get the correct readings and know when PO4 and NO3 are REALLY zero? Obviously want to avoid REAL zeros to avoid dinos.

I think dinos thrives when others can't.
You have gha, which might be outcompeting the dinos.
If your hypothesis is true, getting rid of the gha will raise po4 and no3, discouraging dinos, right?

 

[JPK_Esquire]

I think dinos thrives when others can't.
You have gha, which might be outcompeting the dinos.
If your hypothesis is true, getting rid of the gha will raise po4 and no3, discouraging dinos, right?

Presumably. However, to get rid of the GHA (as i understand it), I have to lower PO4 and NO3. I did a 20% water change this evening, and started running my BRS Dual reactor with GFO and Carbon. I suspect the Hanna will show zero phosphates tomorrow morning (was .01 this morning).

What I’m wondering is how do I know the zero is actual zero, and not a false reading because of the GHA?

 

[BigRed78]

I’ve had this issue before where gha sucks up all the nutrients and everything reads 0. I don’t think there really is a way to test “actual” phosphate or nitrate because it is 0. The gha is just sucking it up before it can accumulate any quantity in the water column. I really don’t think Dino’s would appear since your lack of po4 and nitrate is being caused by algae growth in the tank. It is my understanding that dinos thrive in 0 nutrient tanks because they outcompete other algae and this won’t be a problem here.

 

[Pistondog]

Presumably. However, to get rid of the GHA (as i understand it), I have to lower PO4 and NO3. I did a 20% water change this evening, and started running my BRS Dual reactor with GFO and Carbon. I suspect the Hanna will show zero phosphates tomorrow morning (was .01 this morning).

What I’m wondering is how do I know the zero is actual zero, and not a false reading because of the GHA?

Many tanks run nonzero no3 and po4 with gha under control.
How old and large is tank.
Coralline algae on rocks?

 

[mitch91175]

Use fluclonazole to get rid of the GHA then figure out how to maintain your nutrient better. You need better import/export strategy.

 

[JPK_Esquire]

Use fluclonazole to get rid of the GHA then figure out how to maintain your nutrient better. You need better import/export strategy.

Thanks Mitch. I’ve got a good skimmer setup well and do 10% weekly water changes religiously. I think the false PO4 readings are what through me. I started seeing the big drop in those numbers and they hit double zeros. I’ve already lost one battles to dinos, so want to avoid at all costs. I knew GHA may come from sending phosphates and nitrates up, but i said “i can treat that much easier than treating dinos.” I started dosing NeoPHOS and NeoNitro, which only made things worse. Hopefully, things will come back into check.

 

[JPK_Esquire]

Many tanks run nonzero no3 and po4 with gha under control.
How old and large is tank.
Coralline algae on rocks?

Tank is about 6 months old. Yes, starting to get some Coraline.