Ultra low nutrients

[Screwgunner]

Nitrates are 4.95 and dropping
Phosphates .005
Alk is 8.7 and holding with 1/16 teaspoon of reef builder a day.
Should I lower alkalinity or is 8.7 ok.
120 gallon system
Just over a year old
I thought I heard you should run lower alk with low nutrients is this true and why?

 

[Spare time]

The idea is that very low nitrogen and phosphorus will limit soft tissue growth, which can't keep up with the skeleton that builds faster due to higher alk. You can counter this by heavily feeding the tank (ideally a few times daily in my opinion) via fish or coral food (I use reeff energy for this purpose as well as feeing my fish 2-5 time a day depending on if I am busy.

 

[jimk60]

Personally I think any alk under 9 is low. Some people run at 10, 11 or higher. I wouldn't worry about lowering it.

 

[Spare time]

Personally I think any alk under 9 is low. Some people run at 10, 11 or higher. I wouldn't worry about lowering it.

Wild reef alk is at about 7KH

 

[jimk60]

Wild reef alk is at about 7KH

This is true. I just wouldn't worry about lowering alk at 8.7. Would you?

 

[Screwgunner]

Right now I am just going for stable but my nitrates are still falling . And I use i.o. at 10 dkh so water changes take it back up. Its like a never ending battle.

 

[Spare time]

This is true. I just wouldn't worry about lowering alk at 8.7. Would you?

Eh, its hard to say. I don't think 8.7 is particularly high but I have seen mixed reports on here for burnt tips in ulns.

 

[Spare time]

Right now I am just going for stable but my nitrates are still falling . And I use i.o. at 10 dkh so water changes take it back up. Its like a never ending battle.

How often (and what) do you feed?

 

[Reefahholic]

Right now I am just going for stable but my nitrates are still falling . And I use i.o. at 10 dkh so water changes take it back up. Its like a never ending battle.

Adjust your ALK with Seachem Acid buffer in the water change barrel. Let the CO2 blow off for 2-3 hrs or wait until the next day to use the new water.

Start with 1/4 tsp per 30-40 gallons and test to see the effect.

 

[Reefahholic]

You need to get the nutrient’s back up. In your case you only need PO4. You can increase your feeding, but sometimes that doesn’t work well and dirties up the tank. I perfer to dose. Brightwell makes NeoPhos and NeoNitro.

 

[homer1475]

Adjust your ALK with Seachem Acid buffer in the water change barrel. Let the CO2 blow off for 2-3 hrs or wait until the next day to use the new water.

Start with 1/4 tsp per 30-40 gallons and test to see the effect.

100% this! ^^

I personally use muriatic acid as it's easier for me to source, and loads cheaper. I also use IO and lower the alk to 7.5 before using. Just make sure you aerate the water for 24 hours prior to use to blow off the CO2 from lowering the alk.

Calc for lowering the alk is as follow:
DHK drop x water volume x .123 = ML of acid to add

Example:
20G of water with a DKH of 10, but want it at 7.5 = 2.5DKH drop

20x2.5x.123= 6.15Ml of acid.


FWIW....
I personally think your current levels are fine with the available nutrients.
The seachem stuff is safer to use no doubt about that, but for me, muriatic acid is easier to source.

 

[gbroadbridge]

100% this! ^^

I personally use muriatic acid as it's easier for me to source, and loads cheaper. I also use IO and lower the alk to 7.5 before using. Just make sure you aerate the water for 24 hours prior to use to blow off the CO2 from lowering the alk.

Calc for lowering the alk is as follow:
DHK drop x water volume x .123 = ML of acid to add

Example:
20G of water with a DKH of 10, but want it at 7.5 = 2.5DKH drop

20x2.5x.123= 6.15Ml of acid.


FWIW....
I personally think your current levels are fine with the available nutrients.
The seachem stuff is safer to use no doubt about that, but for me, muriatic acid is easier to source.

Another vote for Muriatic Acid. $5 for a quart which lasts a looong time.

 

[Waters]

I personally think your numbers are all fine. You can raise phophates and nitrates if you want to by feeding heavier and adding some coral food like Reef Roids. Your coral health will let you know if your ALK is too high for the amount of nutrients you have.

 

[Screwgunner]

I will go broke if I feed anymore 8 to 9 dollars a pack of frozen food . I feed 4 cubes frozen 2 pinches of flake and half sheet nori every other day. I will get some Neophos . I have two screens in my sump ats clean one every other week.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I will go broke if I feed anymore 8 to 9 dollars a pack of frozen food . I feed 4 cubes frozen 2 pinches of flake and half sheet nori every other day. I will get some Neophos . I have two screens in my sump ats clean one every other week.

DIY frozen food is easy. There is a BRS youtube about how to do it which will give some ideas.