Nitrates high but phosphates low?

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just normal vinegar?

I also have the same issue with high No3 around 40-50ppm and low Phos. 0.11-0.14 and cannot get the No3 down.. I have been dosing NoPox for a few weeks but only half recommended dose as I dont wanna got nuts. I have recently started the recommended dose of 3ml per 25g

red sea reefer 170 34g tank

Yes, normal vinegar, but NOPOX is a fine choice too. [emoji3]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hey,

I have the same too, Low PO4 and high no3 .
No2 is 0,15 mg/L No3 ~60+

And i dont get the no3 down. I use the Reefer Cups no socket no sponges and i got no idea what to do.

I allready tryed to dose nitrogen, because the nitrifikation doesnt work well if there is no nitrogen availability.
Did you check your no2?
Red Sea Reefer 170

Is this a new tank?

 

[Scorchx1245]

So I completely removed my filter socks....I also got more turnover through my sump and refugium. In 4 days I'm down 10ppm to 40 and going to do a 15 % w/c this week. Also my chaeto is growing GHA on it since I took my GFO down? Researching this vinegar method now.

 

[dimidragos]

Hello @Randy Holmes-Farley i have same issue, my nitrate it's higher that Po4 level. NO3 around 5ppm (i don't want to change nothing) but Po4 0 from 10 days (Hanna LR). I see your answer and i understand that you recomand Trisodium Phosphate but the problem is that i don't find that for sale in Norway. In Ebay also not available with shipping here. What i find is this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...odium+.TRS0&_nkw=trisodium+phosphate&_sacat=0

I understand that you are very busy with your new job but i really hope to remember about me when you have time
Thanks

 

[pdiehm]

Yes, normal vinegar, but NOPOX is a fine choice too. [emoji3]

you can make your own NOPOX. I forget the ratio though. I think it's like 500ml Vinegar, 375ml vodka, 125ml rodi.

something like that....but I'm sure Randy knows, more for anyone else reading

 

[pnether32]

Following. I’m in the same boat. Phosphorus low at 0.25 and nitrates at 40-80. Stopped the GFO as well. Thinking about NoPOX. Maybe need better turnover also. Great info in this thread!!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Following. I’m in the same boat. Phosphorus low at 0.25 and nitrates at 40-80. Stopped the GFO as well. Thinking about NoPOX. Maybe need better turnover also. Great info in this thread!!!

0.25 ppm is not low for phosphorous or phosphate. Is that a typo? IMO, a good goal for phosphate is 0.03 ppm.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello @Randy Holmes-Farley i have same issue, my nitrate it's higher that Po4 level. NO3 around 5ppm (i don't want to change nothing) but Po4 0 from 10 days (Hanna LR). I see your answer and i understand that you recomand Trisodium Phosphate but the problem is that i don't find that for sale in Norway. In Ebay also not available with shipping here. What i find is this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...odium+.TRS0&_nkw=trisodium+phosphate&_sacat=0

I understand that you are very busy with your new job but i really hope to remember about me when you have time
Thanks

The two choices I see there are probably fine. One mentions analytical tests, but doesn't really say it is an analytical reagent grade (wghich would certainly be suitable).

 

[pnether32]

0.25 ppm is not low for phosphorous or phosphate. Is that a typo? IMO, a good goal for phosphate is 0.03 ppm.

Oops..that’s a typo. I meant 0.025. Thank you for pointing that out. I started dosing nopox and added matrix from sea chem in my reactor. All added another 8x8x1 marine pure plate and special blend. I did a 10 gallon water change on my 60gallon.

All the corals look good/open and inverts still alive. Weird thing is I can’t get that nitrate down!

 

[marcus aurelius]

@Randy Holmes-Farley
Yes I do have the same problem nitrates high.
40+. So I have a 125 gal tank. 3 small wrasses 2 clown fish, scopas tang, mandarin goby,
It has been going on for a few months. I do auto water changes. And I have been doing 40 gallon water changes every two weeks and no change. I have recently seen some corals not looking so good. I have added a bio pellet reactor a few weeks ago. Lost a fish today. Red tail wrasse. Not sure what to do. Please help.

 

[pnether32]

So update on the tank...nitrates down to 10 at the moment. Only dosing half dose of NoPOX to the tank. Keeping fingers crossed it stays down.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So update on the tank...nitrates down to 10 at the moment. Only dosing half dose of NoPOX to the tank. Keeping fingers crossed it stays down.

Sounds good. :)