How to increase nitrate … the proven way

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

i thought i read it increases phosphate and nitrate. curious myself

Only alchemists can turn nitrate into phosphate, and we do not tell anyone the secret.

Seriously, dosing nitrate (and not dosing phosphate) cannot raise phosphate in any way. If you see that written or spoken somewhere, stop taking advice from that person.

Dosing nitrate can lower phosphate if the dosed nitrate spurs something to grow faster, and that faster growth consumes phosphate.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Hi reefers

Anyone have a method that they’ve been using for a long time to increase nitrates?

Please all recommendations are welcomed.

I have 16 fish in a 150 gallon. Refugium on 24/7 and Skimmer.

the feeding fish method I would say I’ve tried already since I’m dumping 7 frozen cubes and multiple flake feedings in between

Yes, let something decay in the tank. I prefer to force algae and then kill it off.

 

[Yanir34]

I've used food grade sodium Nitrate with great success. Cheap, Precise, super easy to mix and dose. Not a huge fan of over feeding tank in early stages of balancing nutrients and healthy biodiversity. Feed fish what they can eat with a little falling to cuc. Dose Nitrates and Phosphates if needed until regular feedings catch up. So much cleaner this way.

I have started dosing DIY sodium nitrate 2.5 weeks ago, and the nuissens alge's is at outbreak.
I also have refugium that works 12 hours per day....my no3 is 2.5 ppm with salifert , but I'm guessing they are way higher due to the massive outbreak of the alge's .
po4 is at 0.03
What can I do in that situation ?
The tank is 4 months old , sps dominate.
Volume of 850 liters.

 

[LRT]

I have started dosing DIY sodium nitrate 2.5 weeks ago, and the nuissens alge's is at outbreak.
I also have refugium that works 12 hours per day....my no3 is 2.5 ppm with salifert , but I'm guessing they are way higher due to the massive outbreak of the alge's .
po4 is at 0.03
What can I do in that situation ?
The tank is 4 months old , sps dominate.
Volume of 850 liters.

Hey @Yanir34 when you say diy sodium nitrate how did you make that and from what? Do you have a picture of algae and when did it start? Full tank shot with close up? Has your po4 always been elevated or has it bottomed out and you have been struggling to keep it elevated with no3? The best way I've personally found to remove unwanted dinos and algae is manual removal of nuisance from all surfaces. Daily if needed. Siphon surfaces through 5 micron sock back to sump and obsessively keep nutrient levels detectable to best of ability while the tank catches up and the wanted stuff outcompetes and covers your surfaces.

 

[Yanir34]

Hey @Yanir34 when you say diy sodium nitrate how did you make that and from what? Do you have a picture of algae and when did it start? Full tank shot with close up? Has your po4 always been elevated or has it bottomed out and you have been struggling to keep it elevated with no3? The best way I've personally found to remove unwanted dinos and algae is manual removal of nuisance from all surfaces. Daily if needed. Siphon surfaces through 5 micron sock back to sump and obsessively keep nutrient levels detectable to best of ability while the tank catches up and the wanted stuff outcompetes and covers your surfaces.

Hey , here is some pics of the tank , rocks , and corals.
The tank is only 4 months old .
I turned the refugium to 24h on.
I make sodium nitrate , lab grade.
I also make DIY potassium phosphate , lab grade .
Lightning is MH + 2 OR3 Led + 6 t5 bulbs

Ph 8.6
Orp 290
All 8.3
Mag 1290
Cal 430
No 3 at 2 ppm
po4 at 0.03

 

[MrGisonni]

Add some macroalgaes gracilaria or some species of caulerpa. You've got plenty of room for a few clump. They will outcompete the algae in the display.

 

[OfficeReefer]

strongly advise against any caulerpa, in fact it can't be shipped to some states because its so invasive. If its going to be in your display, try halimeda as its calcium based and isn't too problematic in the tank. Another might be dragon's breath but I would not recommend adding anything like calerpa to a DT.

 

[MrGisonni]

Caulerpa prolifera and other species of caulerpa are native here in Florida, that being said they are extremely problematic in some parts of the world where they were introduced by hobbyists accidentally, namely the Mediterranean and California. They can at times go sexual which will just result in some cloudy water but no big deal. For those without a refugium a managed clump can be helpful to manage nutrients and outcompete nuisance algae. Cull it back dispose of it properly and really to each his own. If adding Halimeda watch Calcium and All consumption. Gracilaria is probably the most benign macro for a DT.