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I am mildly freaked out at my 25-50ppm Nitrates (with 0.05 phosphate) and I can’t seem to bring it down. No idea on 160ppm! The web site may have some good info on that - I can only comment on how dang simple it is to perform the testSerious question, my FOWLR hums along at more than 160 ppm Nitrates... can the HR checker display anything near that?
Up to 75ppmSerious question, my FOWLR hums along at more than 160 ppm Nitrates... can the HR checker display anything near that?
I just finished reading all 21 pages. Great build thread. Chemiclean worked for me also. I was pleasantly surprised at just how well it worked. I know you’ve done ICP testing but have you tried the bacteria testing to see what bacteria is present in your system and in what ratios? I had assumed that since cyano is a bacteria that it was simply out competing some other kind of bacteria and if that bacteria had a chance to take hold it would be able to keep the cyano at bay. I also thought that the UV would have helped with the cyano but I guess that isn’t the case.Follow-up: a week later, my tank is still spotless with no signs of Cyano. Nitrates and Phosphates are the same they have always been, but the bacteria is gone like the wind. Some day I'm excited to find out what really contributes to this bacteria - because in my case, it's not Nitrates and Phosphates!
I know you’ve done ICP testing but have you tried the bacteria testing to see what bacteria is present in your system and in what ratios? I had assumed that since cyano is a bacteria that it was simply out competing some other kind of bacteria and if that bacteria had a chance to take hold it would be able to keep the cyano at bay. I also thought that the UV would have helped with the cyano but I guess that isn’t the case.
You know, I never thought about bacteria testing. Which company does that? I have typically used the Triton ICP tests because I like the interface and dosing recommendations, but I also haven't compared with others in the last two years to see if alternatives have improved.
Cyano seems to me like the most misunderstood/misdiagnosed nuisance in the hobby. People get Cyano with high nutrients, with low nutrients, with imbalanced nutrients -- those by themselves can't be the cause. To me it seems like those scenarios allow other problems to accelerate and allow for Cyano, but people always come back to nutrients.
Like you, I think the Cyano was outcompeting good bacteria in the tank. I nuked it with Chemiclean and have been using a combination of Microbacter7 and Stability -- and I haven't had any issues since. The moment you do a little carbon dosing, Cyano starts to rear its head a little, but that's a whole other thread!!
As they say, every new beginning is some other beginning’s end. Tropic Marin Pro has been great for me too.Today marks the end of the journey with Reef Crystals!
As they say, every new beginning is some other beginning’s end. Tropic Marin Pro has been great for me too.
(...or if you want to squeeze a little Ketchup and Mustard into your tank.) LOL!
just checking in, sir - thank you for sharing. Any way to get some specifics and photos of your returns? I'm plumbing a large tank and will be running sea swirls and want to figure out a nice clean siphon break.