Carbon dosing suddenly stopped working

[Scubabum]

Wanted to know everyone's thoughts on my problem. I have a 58 gallon mixed reef that has been running for over 23 years. I've maintained my Nitrate and Phos for the last several years by carbon dosing Vodka. About 2 years ago I switched from Vodka to biopellets and have maintained my Nitrates at 5ppm steady for those 2 years. In the last several months my Nitrate has slowly climbed to 25ppm or a little higher and phos is currently at .08. I have not increased feeding or added anything to the reef. I've re introduced Vodka and also tried Aquaforest np pro and probio S with no change in my elevated levels of Nitrate. I have not lost any LPS but they do not look as happy as before at lower levels. I've lost A few frags of SPS. My current params as of yesterday...
Ph 8.2
Alk 8.5
cal 420
mag 1380
Nitrate 25ppm
phos .06

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciate. Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd personally switch back to some sort of soluble organic, like the vodka. It is not easy to adjust the "dose" of biopellets.

 

[Scubabum]

I'd personally switch back to some sort of soluble organic, like the vodka. It is not easy to adjust the "dose" of biopellets.

Sounds like a plan. I started adding Vodka again for the last 4 weeks and I'm not seeing any change. Probably just need more time. Like everything else nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

 

[leahfiish]

Have you changed the amount of flow your have anywhere? Do you have a refugium? Is there a sponge somewhere that might be collecting debris? Just some ideas.

 

[Scubabum]

Have you changed the amount of flow your have anywhere? Do you have a refugium? Is there a sponge somewhere that might be collecting debris? Just some ideas.

Flow has been constant. I run a Gyre and a Mp10, no settings changed. I do not have a refugium. I have no space. I've thought about trying a cheato reactor. I run filter socks but change them out every 3-4 days. Thanks for the ideas.