Dropping nitrates, progression
- Thread starter Mrfresh
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Mrfresh
Valuable Member
Is it possible zero nitrates are bad?
Now that I have switched over to red sea pro my alk is staying higher.
10.2dkh
460 cal
Mag hasnt been tested in a few days.
1.024 salt level.
I feed the fish 2 times a day.
And still dosing 5mls of vodka a day.
I have noticed some of my sps are coloring up AMAZINGLY!. but at the same time a few that thrived while the tank had high nit and phos have lost colors and just look bad.
I just cant seem to find that perfect middle grown...
What to do what to do!
Now that I have switched over to red sea pro my alk is staying higher.
10.2dkh
460 cal
Mag hasnt been tested in a few days.
1.024 salt level.
I feed the fish 2 times a day.
And still dosing 5mls of vodka a day.
I have noticed some of my sps are coloring up AMAZINGLY!. but at the same time a few that thrived while the tank had high nit and phos have lost colors and just look bad.
I just cant seem to find that perfect middle grown...
What to do what to do!
Yup, there is some truth to having some Nitrates in the tank keeping some corals happy. I keep my Trates at 5-10. Not trying to get them to 0.
And WOW 2 WC a week, your really on the upkeep of the tank.
And WOW 2 WC a week, your really on the upkeep of the tank.
Mrfresh
Valuable Member
I decided to cut my dose to 3mls instead of 5mls.
And I have been feeding HEAVY!
And as far as the water changes the only reason I do 2 a week is bc
When I moved from my house to an apt I couldn't find a place to hook up my rodi unit.
So I gave it to the local petstore and in return I get free water.
Also it makes it easier to keep up on trace elements.
I don't want to dose each trace element daily.
And I have been feeding HEAVY!
And as far as the water changes the only reason I do 2 a week is bc
When I moved from my house to an apt I couldn't find a place to hook up my rodi unit.
So I gave it to the local petstore and in return I get free water.
Also it makes it easier to keep up on trace elements.
I don't want to dose each trace element daily.
I don't know of anyone who doses trace elements but maybe every 2 weeks.
But dropping the dose per day should get you up just slightly on the Trates numbers. But it will take some time for them to come up.
But dropping the dose per day should get you up just slightly on the Trates numbers. But it will take some time for them to come up.
Lol
Mrfresh
Valuable Member
Ok so I looked at my fug and it was super full. So I decided to do a little trimming.
Lol I hope this doesnt crash on me.
I kept all of it just in case to toss it back in if things go south
Before about 20 gallons
Half of a 5 gallon bucket filled up.
Now
Lol I hope this doesnt crash on me.
I kept all of it just in case to toss it back in if things go south
Before about 20 gallons
Half of a 5 gallon bucket filled up.
Now
Mrfresh
Valuable Member
Ok so I did some testing.
1.025
Po4 .08 to .10 ppm
No3 .25 to .50 ppm
Alk 8.4dkh or 3 meq/L
Cal 300 ppm
Mag 1480ppm
I was wondering why my corals were not looking to happy. My alk and cal are super low
I try and keep them at
Alk 10. To 10.5 dkh
Cal around 460 to 480ppm
Mag still not sure what's that sweep spot.
1.025
Po4 .08 to .10 ppm
No3 .25 to .50 ppm
Alk 8.4dkh or 3 meq/L
Cal 300 ppm
Mag 1480ppm
I was wondering why my corals were not looking to happy. My alk and cal are super low
I try and keep them at
Alk 10. To 10.5 dkh
Cal around 460 to 480ppm
Mag still not sure what's that sweep spot.
:doh:
Mrfresh
Valuable Member
Ok so I did a little reading and now that my tank is a low nutrient system should I run my alk lower?
I can't wait to get my apex controller back and get everything back on timers again.
I can't wait to get my apex controller back and get everything back on timers again.
Seom try to run it lower. All depends on your inhabitants reaction to it.
beaslbob
2500 Club Member
Actually you could dose some calcium nitrate to do that. Got a bag of it at a local feed and seed store for $5 or so.
I also remember reading on one person's balling method (or enhanced balling) and one of the additional things they dosed was calcium nitrate.
From what I hear is a few months after 0 nitrates you tend to get cyano problems.
my .02
Sorry bout the other link, I just tried it myself, strange its not working.
But try this one.
Melevsreef.com - Dosing Vodka to Lower Nitrate & Phosphate
But try this one.
Melevsreef.com - Dosing Vodka to Lower Nitrate & Phosphate
Mrfresh
Valuable Member
Thank you nanojosh
Most of the credit.goes to reefing madness.
If I would have tried to do it by the "book" it would of been a 3 month long process building up to a dose that would show nitrates dropping
You can do it fast you just have to apply dome really good husbandry.
Like it said up I was doing massive water changes almost daily
And even now im doing 2 small water changes a week.
The only thing I have to do is get my alk and cal stable.
I got rid of some large moti caps that were eatting a lot or alk and cal.
Time for a little recalibrating.
And I feel like it might be better ro run my levels lower with almost no nits and phos in the tank now.
I will keep updating as things go to show whats working and whats not.
Most of the credit.goes to reefing madness.
If I would have tried to do it by the "book" it would of been a 3 month long process building up to a dose that would show nitrates dropping
You can do it fast you just have to apply dome really good husbandry.
Like it said up I was doing massive water changes almost daily
And even now im doing 2 small water changes a week.
The only thing I have to do is get my alk and cal stable.
I got rid of some large moti caps that were eatting a lot or alk and cal.
Time for a little recalibrating.
And I feel like it might be better ro run my levels lower with almost no nits and phos in the tank now.
I will keep updating as things go to show whats working and whats not.
Mrfresh
Valuable Member
So I have my alk and cal stable again. And I think I found that sweet spot.
Sg 1.024
Phos 0.03
Nit 0.00
Alk 8.4dkh
Cal 385ppm. Still bring that up to 410. Soon....
Mag 1410
The polyp extention on a lot of sps is great. There are a few that arent as happy but with time they should adjust to the new levels and get happy.
Same thing with a few of my chalices as well.
A lot of the zoas are good. A few of my people eatters dont look to hot .
I did lose one of my blue agave frags. The mother colony doesnt look to hot but I put it in the shade so hopefully they will recover.
Sg 1.024
Phos 0.03
Nit 0.00
Alk 8.4dkh
Cal 385ppm. Still bring that up to 410. Soon....
Mag 1410
The polyp extention on a lot of sps is great. There are a few that arent as happy but with time they should adjust to the new levels and get happy.
Same thing with a few of my chalices as well.
A lot of the zoas are good. A few of my people eatters dont look to hot .
I did lose one of my blue agave frags. The mother colony doesnt look to hot but I put it in the shade so hopefully they will recover.
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