Nitrates on the increase

[scotty333]

Guys
I’ve been monitoring my nitrates for a while now , I’m dosing vodka ( 10ml per day )
Problem is every time I test them they’ve increased dispite adding to the dose each time
They’re at 18 and know it’s not high but I’m trying to level them out at 10
What are sources of nitrates apart from food which I’m only feeding 1” of nori and 7g of mysis
Maybe my dsb is a factory ? I’ve reduced the photoperiod of my caluerpa due to a little cyano
Idk

 

[sixty_reefer]

Guys
I’ve been monitoring my nitrates for a while now , I’m dosing vodka ( 10ml per day )
Problem is every time I test them they’ve increased dispite adding to the dose each time
They’re at 18 and know it’s not high but I’m trying to level them out at 10
What are sources of nitrates apart from food which I’m only feeding 1” of nori and 7g of mysis
Maybe my dsb is a factory ? I’ve reduced the photoperiod of my cauldron due to a little cyano
Idk

You may not have enough phosphate for it to work. Do you know your current po4?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Guys
I’ve been monitoring my nitrates for a while now , I’m dosing vodka ( 10ml per day )
Problem is every time I test them they’ve increased dispite adding to the dose each time
They’re at 18 and know it’s not high but I’m trying to level them out at 10
What are sources of nitrates apart from food which I’m only feeding 1” of nori and 7g of mysis
Maybe my dsb is a factory ? I’ve reduced the photoperiod of my cauldron due to a little cyano
Idk

What are you using to test nitrates?

 

[scotty333]

You may not have enough phosphate for it to work. Do you know your current po4?

.07 my friend

 

[scotty333]

You may not have enough phosphate for it to work. Do you know your current po4

What are you using to test nitrates?

hanna lr

 

[scotty333]

What are you using to test nitrates?

Hanna lr

 

[sixty_reefer]

.07 my friend

Hanna? How many gallons is your tank?

 

[scotty333]

Hanna? How many gallons is your tank?

Yes
130g

 

[Borat]

Guys
I’ve been monitoring my nitrates for a while now , I’m dosing vodka ( 10ml per day )
Problem is every time I test them they’ve increased dispite adding to the dose each time
They’re at 18 and know it’s not high but I’m trying to level them out at 10
What are sources of nitrates apart from food which I’m only feeding 1” of nori and 7g of mysis
Maybe my dsb is a factory ? I’ve reduced the photoperiod of my caluerpa due to a little cyano
Idk

How many fishes, how large is your tank?

 

[scotty333]

13 like 2-3”
130g

 

[sixty_reefer]

Hanna? How many gallons is your tank?

How long have you started dosing

 

[scotty333]

How long have you started dosing

6 months

 

[sixty_reefer]

6 months

Shouldn’t your dose be a little higher than 10ml by now?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Well, I wouldn't be concerned with a number of 18. That's just fine. Remember to go for ranges, not specific numbers. What little cyano you have should resolve itself. That's all about maintaining flow with no dead spots and what bacterial population is there to crowd it out. Sounds like your tank is still cooking. And that's fine for 6 months.

 

[scotty333]

Shouldn’t your dose be a little higher than 10ml by now?

Idk , it used to be a lot less

 

[scotty333]

Well, I wouldn't be concerned with a number of 18. That's just fine. Remember to go for ranges, not specific numbers. What little cyano you have should resolve itself. That's all about maintaining flow with no dead spots and what bacterial population is there to crowd it out. Sounds like your tank is still cooking. And that's fine for 6 months.

Cheers John

 

[PharmrJohn]

Gotta question. You're located in Portugal. And your English is fantastic. Is the language taught there as kind-of a requirement? Or were your parents bilingual and just taught you both languages as a kid? I'm curious, as English seems to be spoken everywhere! The word Cheers is mostly an England thing it seems? So maybe you relocated?

 

[sixty_reefer]

Idk , it used to be a lot less

To lower nitrate usually you would need to increase the dose accordingly until you see them lowering, it may be also that the Cyanobacteria may be using some of it. As there is speculation that aquarist usually encounter it more often with vodka dosing v vinegar.
Best monitor on how all develops.

 

[scotty333]

To lower nitrate usually you would need to increase the dose accordingly until you see them lowering, it may be also that the Cyanobacteria may be using some of it. As there is speculation that aquarist usually encounter it more often with vodka dosing v vinegar.
Best monitor on how all develops.

That’s the thing though , below is the data

The vodka is diluted 1/3

Today 18 ( increased 3ml )
27.10 14.4 ( increased 3ml)
24.10 16.2 ( increased 3ml )
22.10 10.3 ( reduced 2ml)
20.10 17.5 ( increased 2mll)
18.10 12.5
16.10 15.3
14.10 17.8
13.10 18 ( increased 2ml)

No need to go further

 

[scotty333]

The skimmer wasn’t running too wet a week ago and adjusted but made no difference despite more skimmate