0 nutrients

[OGKro]

So i started my tank 2 weeks and a half ago, added my fish a few days afterwards because i had a quick start bacteria bottle. I also moved my corals inside. I didn't have any ammonia nor nitrite. Only problem now is my no3 and po4 are still at 0 and my corals don't look too happy. I'm running quite a big skimmer so that may be the issue. I have a reefer 250 and my skimmer is a Octo 220. Can i turn my skimmer off or will that be a problem ? Do you recommend i dose some nitrates in the tank aswell ? i also figured since my water is cloudy i'd leave my skimmer on for more oxygen in the water

Also these are my parameters:
KH: 7.8
Ca: 420
Mg: 1260
No3: 0
Po4: 0
Salinity 1.026

 

[bobnicaragua]

Lower the bubble level in your skimmer to skim very dry.

 

[OGKro]

Lower the bubble level in your skimmer to skim very dry.

I have been skimming very dry already

 

[bobnicaragua]

mechanical filtration? Can you post a pic of the tank?

 

[Spare time]

If you don't have corals and the light isn't turned up intensely, then it doesn't matter. Otherwise, just feed more frequently (NOT more at once).

 

[Uncle99]

You can bump both into range.
Then it’s available to processes quickly.
I’d bump MG as well to 1350-1400ppm.
Neo-nitro and Neo-phos I use but any similar product fine as well.

 

[OGKro]

If you don't have corals and the light isn't turned up intensely, then it doesn't matter. Otherwise, just feed more frequently (NOT more at once).

I have a few corals

 

[OGKro]

You can bump both into range.
Then it’s available to processes quickly.
I’d bump MG as well to 1350-1400ppm.
Neo-nitro and Neo-phos I use but any similar product fine as well.

yeah i'm increasing the dosing slowly

 

[ryanjohn1]

If no3 and po4 are zero. Yes turn off shimmer. Don’t turn it on till nitrate is at like 20

 

[Spare time]

I have a few corals

Then yes I would just feed more since both are low.

 

[OGKro]

mechanical filtration? Can you post a pic of the tank?

First filtration is a micron bag, second on is cup with zeolite surrounded by socks aswell. Then i have bricks with bacteria, a skimmer and a foam that prevents big particles to go in the return chamber

 

[Spare time]

If no3 and po4 are zero. Yes turn off shimmer. Don’t turn it on till nitrate is at like 20

OP might have a bacterial bloom going on so that might be a bad idea

 

[OGKro]

OP might have a bacterial bloom going on so that might be a bad idea

it has been cloudy since the start. I reckon it was cloudy first because of sand, then bacterial bloom, then pistol shrimp burrowing. It still quite cloudy so i dont know what it is

 

[Uncle99]

First filtration is a micron bag, second on is cup with zeolite surrounded by socks aswell. Then i have bricks with bacteria, a skimmer and a foam that prevents big particles to go in the return chamber

Zeolite not reccomended in new reefs systems, or, for extended periods as it’s such high absorber and may strip nutrients quickly.

 

[Spare time]

it has been cloudy since the start. I reckon it was cloudy first because of sand, then bacterial bloom, then pistol shrimp burrowing. It still quite cloudy so i dont know what it is

If it is cloudy and you don't see particulates floating everywhere, then its probably bacteria. I would just make sure to clean the socks frequently. A cheap UV will solve that in a day or two.

 

[OGKro]

Zeolite not reccomended in new reefs systems, or, for extended periods as it’s such high absorber and may strip nutrients quickly.

I have it because i a fish dissapeared under the rocks and im scard it died so it absorbs ammonia

 

[bobnicaragua]

Pulling the sock will help get your nutrients up, but detritus will accumulate in the sump.

 

[OGKro]

If it is cloudy and you don't see particulates floating everywhere, then its probably bacteria. I would just make sure to clean the socks frequently. A cheap UV will solve that in a day or two.

yeah i can't see any particulates. So should i leave the zeolite in or does it strip everything out ? And should i run the skimmer or not ?

 

[Spare time]

yeah i can't see any particulates. So should i leave the zeolite in or does it strip everything out ? And should i run the skimmer or not ?

Remove the zeolite, keep the skimmer on until the bacterial bloom goes away (then you can keep it on a timer; off during the day), and feed multiple times a day.

 

[OGKro]

Remove the zeolite, keep the skimmer on until the bacterial bloom goes away, and feed multiple times a day.

I'll be gone 2 days, so i wont be able to feed. What should i do?