Hi all, first time posting in the chem forum (Hi Randy! Big fan!).
I have an office IM Nuvo 10g tank set up in Jan 2022, with 100% gulf premium nano rocks and sand from TBS. Has been running with LFS-bought RSCP salt, but parameters are a bit lower due to LFS inconsistencies (Alk around 8.5-9). So I am switching to office RODI + HW salt soon.
Nitrates have been running high (10-20ppm, Red Sea), phosphates higher (0.75-1ppm, Salifert). I have a crocea clam coming this week and want to improve parameters a bit, primarily lower PO4.
Stocking: porcelain crabs, pom pom crab, sexy shrimp // LPS coral, RFAs, pavona, zoas, favia // macroalgae--> tailspot blenny and firefish coming Wedn.
I've been feeding heavy for filter feeders (porcelain crabs, sponges, fan worms) with:
RuSalty Oyster feast
RuSalty Naturose phyto
RuSalty coral ecstasy
RuSalty Zu Feast
RuSalty Ova Feast
RuSalty Mysis feast
Live phyto
Hikari frozen krill (target to crabs/nems)
1g WC every M-W-F.
Recently reduced amount broadcast by about half (1mL mixture total per day), but PO4 is not dropping although NO4 dropped from 20ppm to ~10-15ppm.
I also have an AIO chamber full of Seachem matrix and gulf rock rubble. I don't know if that is overkill and if affects NO4/PO4 levels or not.
Been trying to go natural with this tank, just relying on the live rock/sand.
Do I need to change strategies? Was avoiding additives like Microbacter7, but should I reconsider? Any other natural routes/additives that won't imbalance my biodiversity?
Thanks so much!
I have an office IM Nuvo 10g tank set up in Jan 2022, with 100% gulf premium nano rocks and sand from TBS. Has been running with LFS-bought RSCP salt, but parameters are a bit lower due to LFS inconsistencies (Alk around 8.5-9). So I am switching to office RODI + HW salt soon.
Nitrates have been running high (10-20ppm, Red Sea), phosphates higher (0.75-1ppm, Salifert). I have a crocea clam coming this week and want to improve parameters a bit, primarily lower PO4.
Stocking: porcelain crabs, pom pom crab, sexy shrimp // LPS coral, RFAs, pavona, zoas, favia // macroalgae--> tailspot blenny and firefish coming Wedn.
I've been feeding heavy for filter feeders (porcelain crabs, sponges, fan worms) with:
RuSalty Oyster feast
RuSalty Naturose phyto
RuSalty coral ecstasy
RuSalty Zu Feast
RuSalty Ova Feast
RuSalty Mysis feast
Live phyto
Hikari frozen krill (target to crabs/nems)
1g WC every M-W-F.
Recently reduced amount broadcast by about half (1mL mixture total per day), but PO4 is not dropping although NO4 dropped from 20ppm to ~10-15ppm.
I also have an AIO chamber full of Seachem matrix and gulf rock rubble. I don't know if that is overkill and if affects NO4/PO4 levels or not.
Been trying to go natural with this tank, just relying on the live rock/sand.
Do I need to change strategies? Was avoiding additives like Microbacter7, but should I reconsider? Any other natural routes/additives that won't imbalance my biodiversity?
Thanks so much!