How to raise nitrates and lower phosphates?

[rishma]

I do not like to use GFO in a tiny tank. If you really want to use it, start with a tiny amount. Like 1/4 of the recommended amount. Test phosphate often. It may tend to decline quickly, then rebound when you remove GFO as phosphate is released from the rock and sand calcium carbonate surfaces. It can work, but use a tiny amount and monitor. When it stops declining, add another tiny amount leaving the old stuff in.

 

[rishma]

You can increase nitrates by dosing ammonium bicarbonate. Many of us have observed this tends to push down phosphates as a side effect.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Sodium nitrate food grade is a an easy dose , there’s a calculator for dosing somewhere lol

 

[rishma]

Sodium nitrate or calcium nitrate works too

 

[KrisReef]

10gal, 2 clowns. 2.5ml of afr a day
about 15 pellets of hikari(yes, all get eaten)

nitrates r undetectable by salifert, phosphate is 0.25ppm
how to raise nitrates and Lower phos?

Lanthanum removes phosphate.
Dose Ammonia to feed corals.

 

[stE26wy14]

Lanthanum removes phosphate.
Dose Ammonia to feed corals.

wait wait
ammonia? but what bout fish? cant they die from too much ammonia?

 

[KrisReef]

wait wait
ammonia? but what bout fish? cant they die from too much ammonia?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-chart.1123913/#post-13797002
don't blame me if your fishes die, but if they do, they will feed the coral in the process

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I dose ammonium bicarbonate with similar numbers to the op, and do not use GFO.

 

[KrisReef]

I dose ammonium bicarbonate with similar numbers to the op, and do not use GFO.

Amen brother!

The ammonia treatment supplies the best molecules for the coral to utilize (most energy available for metabolic use) and the extra metabolic activity allows increased use of phosphorus for coral growth, making p less of an accumulative risk in the tank water.

Yes - you need to dose it carefully to avoid poisoning the fish but engineering controls can reduce the risk.
2 almost zero-

 

[allenk4]

I would lower phosphate by running GFO in a reactor and doing smaller water changes.

How much GFO are you suggesting for this man’s 10 gallon tank?

 

[allenk4]

Amen brother!

The ammonia treatment supplies the best molecules for the coral to utilize (most energy available for metabolic use) and the extra metabolic activity allows increased use of phosphorus for coral growth, making p less of an accumulative risk in the tank water.

Yes - you need to dose it carefully to avoid poisoning the fish but engineering controls can reduce the risk.
2 almost zero-

Is that the best solution for this man’s 10 gallon tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is that the best solution for this man’s 10 gallon tank?

Are you suggesting it’s not? I don’t see how tank size matters. But if there’s a reason to prefer sodium nitrate dosing, that’s fine too.

 

[rishma]

I dose ammonia in a small tank. I don’t see it as inherently a problem.

GFO in smaller tanks is a bit tricky but doable. I prefer other methods but have used small amounts of GFO successfully in small water volumes.

 

[New Hampshire Reefin]

How much GFO are you suggesting for this man’s 10 gallon tank?

I use ROWA Phos and I started light. 2.5 teaspoons for 7 gallons of water. It comes out to .9 grams per gallon and there is 1.8 grams per teaspoon. It comes out to 3.5 teaspoons so I decided to start more conservatively.

It is going to depend on what type of GFO you use.

 

[stE26wy14]

ok, so what do I buy for ammonia?

 

[EliteReefing1023]

Are you using rodi or tap water

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

ok, so what do I buy for ammonia?

Details are here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

 

[North Borders]

+1 to nitrate dosing. Works really well. Phos will likely dial itself in once there's enough nitrate back in the system. Also, 0.25 is not an astronomical amount of phos...I personally wouldn't GFO that, especially in a small tank like yours. Too easy to completely strip it all and then you'll have all new problems.

 

[BryanM]

what do you mean high flow? I cant just put it in the actual tank? I usually put it in the back wall

Rinse it well, and throw it in a back in a filter cup, or where the return water comes back.

And worst case, dosing NeoNitro, or a DIY product for nitrates definitely works.

 

[EastonsReef]

I have a 13.5 and used GFO to deal with a phosphate spike I was having. It does not take much at all and I’d recommend underestimating rather than over. I accidentally wiped mine out to 0 in 2 days. Took it out and haven’t had issues since.

Funnily enough, I’m having the opposite issue of you now, nitrates are slightly high but my phosphates are bottomed out so it’s looking like I’ll be dosing for it.