Why can’t I get my nutrients up???

[MONTANTK]

For the past few weeks I have been struggling to get my No3 and Po4 to anything above 0. I removed my GFO which didn’t change anything. The tank has no algae other than the normal stuff on the glass. Tank I 7.4g, I have two small fish which I feed pretty heavy. I haven’t cleaned my sand in probably 2-3 weeks. Tank has been up for around 3 months. I have 7 zoa frags and 7 SPS frags. Is it possible the corals are consuming it ??

 

[Macbalacano]

It's possible. How long have you been running without GFO? What are the other tank params?

 

[MnFish1]

Besides the 'numbers' - is the tank having any problem - If not - why care? The corals and fish and what you're feeding are in 'steady state' - great. On the other hand - if you're seeing something dying, etc. thats another story. Also - which test kits are you using - are you using tests that are sensitive enough to pick up what you're wanting to measure?

 

[MONTANTK]

It's possible. How long have you been running without GFO? What are the other tank params?

Took GFO out on Saturday I believe. Had very mild dynos a week or two ago but they’re gone now

Parameters as of 4:00pm:
Alk: 8.5
Ca: 460
Mg: 1440
Po4: 0
No3: 0
Salinity: 1.026

 

[MONTANTK]

Besides the 'numbers' - is the tank having any problem - If not - why care? The corals and fish and what you're feeding are in 'steady state' - great. On the other hand - if you're seeing something dying, etc. thats another story. Also - which test kits are you using - are you using tests that are sensitive enough to pick up what you're wanting to measure?

Zoas looked rough before but are starting to look much better. My red monti is bright red but like a pale bright red. I have one acro that’s pale. Other frags have only been in for 10 days so too early to tell. I have Alk and Po4 Hanna checkers, Red Sea nitrate, and Ca/Mg Salifert

 

[lapin]

My guess is something is growing that was not when you had "0" nutrients

 

[iamacat]

Full tank shot?

something is taking up the nutrients

 

[MONTANTK]

My guess is something is growing that was not when you had "0" nutrients

I don’t see much algae so I’m going to assume it’s my coral that’s growing. I am noticing growth on most of my corals. The one that’s faded (also the largest) has stopped growing but I would assume it’s because the group of smaller frags are out competing it.

 

[MONTANTK]

Full tank shot?

something is taking up the nutrients

 

[lapin]

Coraline algae perhaps?

 

[MONTANTK]

Coraline algae perhaps?

Would that consume Po4 and No3? I hardly see any calcium consumption and haven’t noticed and coraline

 

[iamacat]

What type of rock was used to start?

 

[MONTANTK]

What type of rock was used to start?

Real reef live rock from a seeded system

 

[iamacat]

Well your tank looks good so I wouldn’t go chasing anything. The phos is binding to something. I would like to see how the system responds from removing GFO. I think you will start to see a shift.

 

[MONTANTK]

Well your tank looks good so I wouldn’t go chasing anything. The phos is binding to something. I would like to see how the system responds from removing GFO. I think you will start to see a shift.

Well I’ll just assume the corals are using it then and just continue doing everything normal and closely monitor for any changes