Reducing nitrates and phosphates in a cycled tank

[Thakki]

Thanks a lot @saltyfilmfolks.

So do you suggest running bio-pellets now so as to build bacteria to consume No3 and Po4?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks a lot @saltyfilmfolks.

So do you suggest running bio-pellets now so as to build bacteria to consume No3 and Po4?

With the low no3 and zero bio load, no.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Why are your Phosphates so high to start with? I imagine from the Rock cure and in that case wait until it drops on its own. You can get it down with a large waterchange later before you turn on the lights.

 

[KenO]

My situation is the opposite of yours, my NO3 is off the charts. Too purple to read on the Red Sea NO3 test. PO4 is zero on my Hanna meter. I’m 2.5 months into my cycle. Tanks have cycled. To do large water changes wouldn’t be easy. I have 500 gallons total in my system. I hooked up my ATS and started dosing KH2PO4. My NO3 levels are coming down and I have algae starting to grow on the ATS screen. Been watching the BRS and WWC videos. I’m going to do the 4 month cycle as per the videos. Just sent a water sample to Triton to see where things are with the water. Started with dry rock, but I also have some 3+ year old rock in my temporary tanks and some LR from KP Aquatics that I’m going to move into the new setup in the next couple of weeks.

Good luck with your setup.