Help with Nutrient export "tuning"

[SpokaneSteve]

Hello all:

I have a IM 112 tank and about 25 gallons in the sump.

I am trying to get my system "tuned" better for managing Nitrate and Phosphate.

My current values:

Sal: 1.026
Alk 7.4
Phosphate 0.3 ppm
Nitrate: 1.9 ppm
Ph varies between 8.4 and 8.6 each day
Cal: 397
Mag 1520

Dosing is just AFR

For nutrient export I have tried a filter roller but found I was nearly zeroed out too often. I am now using reef diapers and trying to let them be a bit more "dirty". I also have a skimmer that runs 12 hours a day and a Santa Monica turf scrubber that is illuminated 14 hours a day.

Would filter floss possibly be better? I really like having very clear water so I have been hesitant to stop filtering it altogether.....

Or maybe I should turn off the skimmer? Get rid of the turf scrubber?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks so much.

 

[stE25wy14]

for higher nitrates, u could feed more

 

[The_Bro]

How old is your tank? What inhabitants does your tank have? How often and how much do you feed?
Just my first thoughts.. Is that you have this awesome filter system! Everything is on and running that might overkill for the amount of filtration you currently need at the moment.

 

[unchainedcoot]

Hello all:

I have a IM 112 tank and about 25 gallons in the sump.

I am trying to get my system "tuned" better for managing Nitrate and Phosphate.

My current values:

Sal: 1.026
Alk 7.4
Phosphate 0.3 ppm
Nitrate: 1.9 ppm
Ph varies between 8.4 and 8.6 each day
Cal: 397
Mag 1520

Dosing is just AFR

For nutrient export I have tried a filter roller but found I was nearly zeroed out too often. I am now using reef diapers and trying to let them be a bit more "dirty". I also have a skimmer that runs 12 hours a day and a Santa Monica turf scrubber that is illuminated 14 hours a day.

Would filter floss possibly be better? I really like having very clear water so I have been hesitant to stop filtering it altogether.....

Or maybe I should turn off the skimmer? Get rid of the turf scrubber?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks so much.

I find it easiest to tune with my turf scrubber lighting schedule. Understood that if you are running if off schedule you might take a pH hit at night but that’s just been my preferred way

 

[SpokaneSteve]

How old is your tank? What inhabitants does your tank have? How often and how much do you feed?
Just my first thoughts.. Is that you have this awesome filter system! Everything is on and running that might overkill for the amount of filtration you currently need at the moment.

I have a 6 line wrasse, yellow tang, blue chromes, and two clowns. One large cleaner shrimp, two emerald crabs and a mid sized cleanup crew. Feeding 4 cubes a day. I am thinking that it's too much filtration and trying to figure out the best way to reduce filtration but keep really clear water if that makes sense?

 

[X-37B]

Just run the skimmer and scrubber 24/7. That will bring down po4.
Or just continue and use gfo to bring po4 to <.2.
I adjust and keep po4 between .1 and .2.
I have the same system but no water yet.
In my ext 170 I run 400 micron socks to catch the big stuff.
Floss works but needs to be changed often. 200 micron felt socks work but again you are constantly cleaning socks.
What are your target no3 and po4 #'s.

 

[KrisReef]

Hello all:

I have a IM 112 tank and about 25 gallons in the sump.

I am trying to get my system "tuned" better for managing Nitrate and Phosphate.

How old is this system and what does a Tuned Nutrient look like?


If it is out of tune now, what do you need to improve l, besides the numbers, to improve your livestock health or happiness?

My current values:

Sal: 1.026
Alk 7.4
Phosphate 0.3 ppm
Nitrate: 1.9 ppm
Ph varies between 8.4 and 8.6 each day
Cal: 397
Mag 1520

Dosing is just AFR

I would be curious to know how the tank pH responds to turning off the skimmer. You mentioned that might help with the numbers but I’m not sure it would help with your pH at all?

A picture of the tank that everyone is trying to tune, and a hydrophone recording can possibly help?