Here's another update.
The rollermat may be too good at it's job. My acros weren't looking too great and my zoas started closing up, so I started testing nutrients.
My phosphates were measuring at 0, so I started dosing until I got it up to 0.03-0.04. It took about a week of phosphate dosing to change anything. I could tell when the phosphate dropped to 0 throughout the day as the zoanthids would close up. The next morning after dosing each time, they would be open.
I just tested nitrates today and they're also at 0. I use the red sea nitrate test. I started with the high range as it's always been in the high range. After the color didn't change, I did the normal test and it was still 99% clear. I did a large water change after I got the last icp test because of high levels of tin and aluminum. I'm guessing it dropped it too much and continued to decrease the levels because of the rollermat.
I'm going to have to start dosing nitrate. I'd much rather have to dose nitrate/phosphate than remove it. Removing it means I'm doing water changes or carbon dosing which adds an amount of complexity and cost (moreso for water changes) not necessary. I'd much rather be able to keep my levels at an exact amount. I never thought I'd be able to control my nutrients the same way I control my alk/ca/mg.
This does mean I'll have to test every 2-3 days to make sure the levels don't drop too low, but I'm excited. This is a completely different method of reefing for me and I like it.
The rollermat may be too good at it's job. My acros weren't looking too great and my zoas started closing up, so I started testing nutrients.
My phosphates were measuring at 0, so I started dosing until I got it up to 0.03-0.04. It took about a week of phosphate dosing to change anything. I could tell when the phosphate dropped to 0 throughout the day as the zoanthids would close up. The next morning after dosing each time, they would be open.
I just tested nitrates today and they're also at 0. I use the red sea nitrate test. I started with the high range as it's always been in the high range. After the color didn't change, I did the normal test and it was still 99% clear. I did a large water change after I got the last icp test because of high levels of tin and aluminum. I'm guessing it dropped it too much and continued to decrease the levels because of the rollermat.
I'm going to have to start dosing nitrate. I'd much rather have to dose nitrate/phosphate than remove it. Removing it means I'm doing water changes or carbon dosing which adds an amount of complexity and cost (moreso for water changes) not necessary. I'd much rather be able to keep my levels at an exact amount. I never thought I'd be able to control my nutrients the same way I control my alk/ca/mg.
This does mean I'll have to test every 2-3 days to make sure the levels don't drop too low, but I'm excited. This is a completely different method of reefing for me and I like it.