Zero nitrates and almost zero phosphate

[Fredmsi]

Hi guys I am having trouble with my nano reef
I have stuff growing all.over corals rock work and sand.....my nitrates at zero......and phosphat at 0.01...... corals not looking good....any know how I can correct this....I am useing red sea test kits and API....how do I get my nitrates up so the corals will look better? Also is my skimmer removing the stuff.my.corals.need??? Tank is only 13.5 gallons....tank been up for about 4 months....corals are zoa's hammer coral gsp and a small.mushroom....... thanks any help will be appreciated thank you for ur time...here are a few pics....lighting is ai prime 16 he reef

 

[TDEcoral]

I use Loudwolf brand sodium nitrate and Seachem makes a product called Flourish Phosphorus. Really you can use any brand of potassium phosphate or sodium phosphate as long as it's pure enough. Alternatively, you can get some fish and feed a bit heavily to bring the numbers up.

 

[Fredmsi]

I use Loudwolf brand sodium nitrate and Seachem makes a product called Flourish Phosphorus. Really you can use any brand of potassium phosphate or sodium phosphate as long as it's pure enough. Alternatively, you can get some fish and feed a bit heavily to bring the numbers up.

Ok thanks how do I get rid of the stuff growing all.over my tank

 

[Backreefing]

It dies and disappears on its oun , if you’re lucky. To speed it up fill a bucket of tank water and get lightly scrubbing. Fix the root cause ( low nutrients) or it’s back in a day or two .

 

[blasterman]

Raising nutrients while having that much hair algae is like throwing gasoline on a fire.

I would try Vibrant on the algae first. That might raise your nitrates on its own.

 

[Spieg]

Agree, it looks like Green Hair Algae. This usually only occurs with elevated nutrients (Nitrate/Phosphate), or it could be part of the normal "ugly phase" than most tanks go though at some point during the first 6-months after starting a new tank. I would suspect your test results are not accurate, and levels are higher than you realize. Dosing more nutrients will make the problem worse. Vibrant or similar product may help, but be aware it can also have adverse affects on refugiums/beneficial macro algae or even some corals/fish.

 

[Spkarim]

Perhaps throw in some snails and maybe a small tuxedo urchin for cleanup and then wait it out.

I prefer to avoid additives (ie vibrant, fluconazole, chemiclean) that may give you a different problem that might be harder to fix

 

[ZoWhat]

Its definitely a bacteria bloom of good nutrifying bacteria....hence the low NO3/PO4 numbers.

A natural occurrence of a new tank.

Well documented under the term "the uglies"

Search R2R to read more about the uglies

Tread lightly bc if you get into major swings dosing stuff, you'll wipeout your tank.

*STOP!
*Dont dose anything
*Feed fish very lightly while doing 10% waterchanges a week and in 4-6 weeks the bloom will be gone.

***Once you get thru the uglies, the other side of it is a greatly balanced tank with maturing biochemistry!

However, If you short term panic and start swinging the tank with nutrients and dosing suggestions.... you'll be in worst shape ever

Patience, and wait for the uglies to subside thru light feedings and WCs


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