Hello all,
I finally sent off my first ICP test for my 36 gallon with sump (appx 50 gallon total system volume) I have been plagued with low / undetectable nitrates and phosphates since the end of my cycle. The tank was seeded with wild harvested live rock found locally here in the Bahamas. I have battled chysophytes and of late, dino's in the sand bed due to the chronic low nitrates I would imagine. Coral growth has never been robust- even with my zoas and softies. I am thinking of starting moonshiners although the up front cost is going to end up being pretty significant it looks like.
I started out using NSW, but switched to IO reef crystals for ease of use with my RODI unit- however the alk is now over 11. Isn't there more of an issue with ultra low nutrients and high alk versus a lower alk level?
Any insights and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I finally sent off my first ICP test for my 36 gallon with sump (appx 50 gallon total system volume) I have been plagued with low / undetectable nitrates and phosphates since the end of my cycle. The tank was seeded with wild harvested live rock found locally here in the Bahamas. I have battled chysophytes and of late, dino's in the sand bed due to the chronic low nitrates I would imagine. Coral growth has never been robust- even with my zoas and softies. I am thinking of starting moonshiners although the up front cost is going to end up being pretty significant it looks like.
I started out using NSW, but switched to IO reef crystals for ease of use with my RODI unit- however the alk is now over 11. Isn't there more of an issue with ultra low nutrients and high alk versus a lower alk level?
Any insights and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!