Hi everyone,
Looking for some insight as to why my nitrates have dropped to ~0ppm (API and Salifert, so not a true 0ppm).
My tank was started in May 2022, setup:
- 40B tank, AIO Setup
- Filter socks, protein skimmer (60G rated), carbon, phosgaurd
- 2x clownfish, 1x pink spotted goby, 1x harp tail blenny, 1x chalk bass, 1x cleaner shrimp, assorted CUC
- 11 LPS, 6 softies, 2x BTA, 1x RFA
Parameters:
- Alk: 9-9.5
- pH: ~8-8.2
- Ca: 440
- Nitrates: ~0
- PO4: 0.08ppm (Hanna ULR)
- Mg: 1240
- Salinity: 1.025
Known tank issues:
- GHA outbreak due to leaching phosphates
Response:
- Manual GHA Removal and filter sock replacement 2x/week.
- Phosguard changeouts every 4 days dating back to January 2023.
- weekly 5g water changes
Recent changes in routine:
- All for Reef dosing began ~ early June 2023. Currently at 12mL/day.
- USA orbit Marine LED changes to (2) AI Prime 16HD in ~ late July 2023.
Historically my tank has ALWAYS had a solid 15-20ppm of Nitrates for over a year now. I don’t believe this is a true 0ppm nitrates because I haven’t seen any Dino outbreak and GHA is still an issue (although they would likely be using the PO4 leaching from my dry rock).
But why are my nitrates all of a sudden hitting 0 on my test kits when I previously always had 15-20ppm? I’ve started to bump up the quantity I’m feeding just to try and put nitrates in the water.
Feeding routine:
1x day brine shrimp (Hikari)
1x day mysis shrimp (Hikari)
3-4mL ab+ aminos daily
reef roids 1x/week
Rotifeast 1x/week
For now I plan to stop the weekly 5g water changes until I see an increase in nitrates..
Looking for some insight as to why my nitrates have dropped to ~0ppm (API and Salifert, so not a true 0ppm).
My tank was started in May 2022, setup:
- 40B tank, AIO Setup
- Filter socks, protein skimmer (60G rated), carbon, phosgaurd
- 2x clownfish, 1x pink spotted goby, 1x harp tail blenny, 1x chalk bass, 1x cleaner shrimp, assorted CUC
- 11 LPS, 6 softies, 2x BTA, 1x RFA
Parameters:
- Alk: 9-9.5
- pH: ~8-8.2
- Ca: 440
- Nitrates: ~0
- PO4: 0.08ppm (Hanna ULR)
- Mg: 1240
- Salinity: 1.025
Known tank issues:
- GHA outbreak due to leaching phosphates
Response:
- Manual GHA Removal and filter sock replacement 2x/week.
- Phosguard changeouts every 4 days dating back to January 2023.
- weekly 5g water changes
Recent changes in routine:
- All for Reef dosing began ~ early June 2023. Currently at 12mL/day.
- USA orbit Marine LED changes to (2) AI Prime 16HD in ~ late July 2023.
Historically my tank has ALWAYS had a solid 15-20ppm of Nitrates for over a year now. I don’t believe this is a true 0ppm nitrates because I haven’t seen any Dino outbreak and GHA is still an issue (although they would likely be using the PO4 leaching from my dry rock).
But why are my nitrates all of a sudden hitting 0 on my test kits when I previously always had 15-20ppm? I’ve started to bump up the quantity I’m feeding just to try and put nitrates in the water.
Feeding routine:
1x day brine shrimp (Hikari)
1x day mysis shrimp (Hikari)
3-4mL ab+ aminos daily
reef roids 1x/week
Rotifeast 1x/week
For now I plan to stop the weekly 5g water changes until I see an increase in nitrates..
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