NO3 and PO4 management with dosing?

[vadryn]

Jump to my question at the bottom... Here's the background:

I have a 90 g sumpless tank. Plenty of LR and sand and it's been running for years. Without a sump, everything I do to manage the tank parameters ends up in the display. It sits in a snug alcove, so I only have limited access outside the tank on one side for cords, tubes etc.

I have an in-tank refugium with Chaeto that works well, but takes up a lot of space. I have an in-tank filter/pump that runs up to a GFO reactor above the tank, and it's ugly and takes up space. I have a Tunze 9012 skimmer that's in my tank, right up front, that takes space an doesn't improve the visuals either.

I have implemented vodka dosing and been able to not run refugium lights 24/7. Now I want to remove the refugium altogether and think I can compensate with just vodka dosing for NO3, but PO4 is a problem. I don't like the look, and I dislike the cost and quirks of running GFO. I see a lot of talk, and warnings, about lanthanum chloride. If it's something I can dose like vodka and get rid of GFO, I'm more than a little interested.

Can I manage nutrient export in an established, well-stocked tank with Carbon Dosing, Phosban-L Dosing, and a Skimmer? (And 35%+ WC every 3 weeks)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think it would be easier to talk about your nutrient levels if we know what your nutrient levels are, can you share the nitrate and phosphate levels please?

 

[vadryn]

Thanks for the reply. I’m not actually talking nutrient levels but the method of managing them. Last test NO3 was 6.9 and PO4 was 0.02 - but stating them creates misdirection. What would they be if I remove my Refugium? What would they be if a shut of the GFO reactor? My GFO is a couple days old so the number is low and will creep up as it’s used up until I have to refresh it. I did that refresh at .23 a few days ago.

Is Lanthanum a more stable, reliable and slightly way to manage PO4? Can it be the primary source of control?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can I manage nutrient export in an established, well-stocked tank with Carbon Dosing, Phosban-L Dosing, and a Skimmer? (And 35%+ WC every 3 weeks)

Simply put, yes. Is it the best way? That's open for debate, especially if you have tangs.

All of the nutrient reduction methods have pros and cons.

 

[vadryn]

Well, darn. Reading about LC implementation and risks and it's no better than what I'm doing. I was trying to get the mechanical filtration out of my DT. I don't like the GFO PO4 YoYo. I hate how expensive it is, too. Maybe there will be a good GFO Black Friday deal because I'm all out.

 

[rishma]

I describe a way to avoid the GFO PO4 yo-yo here. Perhaps you can adapt this to your tank for better results with GFO. For a long time in multiple tanks I think I did more harm than good with GFO.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...owly-and-sustainably-lower-phosphate.1082298/