Running High Nitrates But Zero Phosphate

[Troylee]

Yes, that's what I was thinking, to try the bacto balance once the tank stabilizes. I did see some of their other products that can raise or lower nutrients, and I thought of that here, but I was afraid that if I tried the Elimi NP, I may completely tank my phosphate.

My plan, and certainly I'd welcome feedback here, is to first look towards a different salt mix, and then dose phosphate until it stabilizes, and then try regular carbon dosing and possibly the Bacto Balance product.

The Aquaforrest I wouldn't call expensive per se, but it's not cheap either, and only rarely goes on sale. I'd welcome some salt mix suggestions. I've used Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals for year in the past, and my only complaint is the sludge in the mixing bucket (which I know isn's a concern, but it's kind of gross lol!). I've tried Red Sea once before, but it seems expensive.

A local pet store near me has a salt that's totally new to me, it's supposed to be from Dr. Tim Hovanec:

Only thing is I don't get what they are saying here for levels, are they suggesting that an SPS tank should be at 39 ppt salinity? I run all my tanks at 35 ppt, which I thought was idea for SPS (even though I have mostly always had softies)?

Not sure why you would need to carbon dose as you’re gonna have full control of that tank with no fish once it settles.. I personally run reef crystals or io “depends what’s on sale” I don’t use any other salts lol

 

[Miami Reef]

Only thing is I don't get what they are saying here for levels, are they suggesting that an SPS tank should be at 39 ppt salinity? I run all my tanks at 35 ppt, which I thought was idea for SPS (even though I have mostly always had softies)?

I don’t know what ppt concentrate that suggestion leads to, but in any case, I’d only ever suggest keeping salinity around 35 ppt.

The corals have adapted and we have a proven record for keeping salinity there.

I would not keep my salinity at 39ppt, no matter who tells me to.

 

[Fish Fan]

Not sure why you would need to carbon dose as you’re gonna have full control of that tank with no fish once it settles.. I personally run reef crystals or io “depends what’s on sale” I don’t use any other salts lol

You know, you're right. On small tanks, I don't typically do much more than regular, small water changes, and I haven't had a skimmer in years until now.

My reason for carbon dosing here was because I saw high nitrate, but low phosphate, and I knew it had the added benefit of feeding filter feeders. But, if I change my salt and dose phosphate, and it all stabilizes, I shouldn't have any problems here long term. That, in fact, was what I expected when I started this tank.

Good point, thank you for that!

 

[Miami Reef]

As for the salt, I just use Instant Ocean. Cheap. Proven track record. Consistent.

I like it. The sludge can technically be removed by filling the brute with an acidic solution, like citric acid.

But it’s not harmful and the sludge just forms a crust on the container surface. It doesn’t float around the water.

 

[Fish Fan]

I don’t know what ppt that concentrate that suggestion leads to, but in any case, I’d only ever suggest keeping salinity around 35 ppt.

The corals have adapted and we have a proven record for keeping salinity there.

I would not keep my salinity at 39ppt, no matter who tells me to.

I mean, of coarse, I agree totally, but I assume that's what the box is telling you to do. That makes me not trust this salt right there.

 

[Fish Fan]

As for the salt, I just use Instant Ocean. Cheap. Proven track record. Consistent.

I like it. The sludge can technically be removed by filling the brute with an acidic solution, like citric acid.

But it’s not harmful and the sludge just forms a crust on the surface. It doesn’t float around the water.

Yeah, I know the sludge doesn't hurt anything, but I'd prefer not to have to deal with it, if possible.

 

[Miami Reef]

Yeah, I know the sludge doesn't hurt anything, but I'd prefer not to have to deal with it, if possible.

I heard ESV salt is the cleanest and best for this regard.

Tropic marine is also very good.

I’d highly suggest those brands. They might be a little more expensive, but I don’t think it’s that significant compared to other brands, at least for the TM.

I never looked into the pricing of ESV.

 

[Fish Fan]

I heard ESV salt is the cleanest and best for this regard.

Tropic marine is also very good.

I’d highly suggest those brands. They might be a little more expensive, but I don’t think it’s that significant compared to other brands, at least for the TM.

I never looked into the pricing of ESV.

The Tropic Marin seems a touch speedy, but I agree, I've heard it's good.

The ESV I believe I can get at that local pet shop.

 

[Troylee]

The Tropic Marin seems a touch speedy, but I agree, I've heard it's good.

The ESV I believe I can get at that local pet shop.

I’ll have to take a picture of mixing barrel it’s got 2 years of sludge and feeds my sps tank just fine! .

 

[Fish Fan]

I’ll have to take a picture of mixing barrel it’s got 2 years of sludge and feeds my sps tank just fine! .

I know, I get it, but it's just so brown and nasty lol!!!

 

[Fish Fan]

I’ll have to take a picture of mixing barrel it’s got 2 years of sludge and feeds my sps tank just fine! .

Do you use regular IO or their RC for your SPS tank?

 

[tbrown]

So @Fish Fan if I had to guess, 39ppt puts the alk at the levels most people run for SPS. If you use that salt you'd likely have to supplement alkalinity to bring it up to where you want it.

 

[Troylee]

Do you use regular IO or their RC for your SPS tank?

Rc and occasionally io depending on prices.. I buy what’s on sale and load up! It’s normally 75% rc

 

[Miami Reef]

Rc and occasionally io depending on prices.. I buy what’s on sale and load up! It’s normally 75% rc

i just bought 3 boxes of IO purple. About $50 each.

 

[Fish Fan]

So @Fish Fan if I had to guess, 39ppt puts the alk at the levels most people run for SPS. If you use that salt you'd likely have to supplement alkalinity to bring it up to where you want it.

I am shooting for my alk on this tank to be between 8-9, I feel like that's a safe zone, without going crazy high here, I'm not trying for Acro dominated tank here. 39 ppt seem way high to me though.

 

[Troylee]

Do you use regular IO or their RC for your SPS tank?

Here ya go.. #recklessree#recklessreefer="full"]4198696[/ATTACH]

 

[Fish Fan]

Rc and occasionally io depending on prices.. I buy what’s on sale and load up! It’s normally 75% rc

I can't do that lol! I can't change salts based on what's on sale, it messes with my mind lol! I need consistency in my life and tanks

 

[Fish Fan]

i just bought 3 boxes of IO purple. About $50 each.

Yep, cost effective and readily available, brown sludge be danged

 

[Fish Fan]

Here ya go.. #recklessree#recklessreefer="full"]4198696[/ATTACH]

That is horrifying my friend

But if you guys all do it, maybe I can pull up my big-boy pants and ride the Instant Ocean pleasure cruise.

 

[tbrown]

I use Reef Crystals.