SPS Nutrient Usage

[Graffiti Spot]

Keep your eye on po4 while dosing nitrate since it should lower each time the tank uses up the new nitrate addition. I think it's time you add a few extra fish, that could help get some better nutrients to your corals. Tank looks great though, what exactly happened to your coral that you don't like color wise? What are you using to supply the big three and other elements? Color isn't always linked to nutrients showing up on a test kit.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Keep your eye on po4 while dosing nitrate since it should lower each time the tank uses up the new nitrate addition. I think it's time you add a few extra fish, that could help get some better nutrients to your corals. Tank looks great though, what exactly happened to your coral that you don't like color wise? What are you using to supply the big three and other elements? Color isn't always linked to nutrients showing up on a test kit.

Well I guess that's a good reason to add more fish! Lol! Nothing really happened per se I've just never gotten those phenomenal colors that I've seen in some of the other tanks I've seen. For the big three I've got BRS calcium chloride, BRS soda ash, BRS kalkwasser and a magnesium supplement from my LFS. As for other elements it's a 30% WC with Red Sea Salt every month.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Could possibly be other elements that are low and certain corals are showing you over time. Have you checked potassium? When it gets real low some corals will not look good.
Has your phosphate went down since adding nitrate?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Could possibly be other elements that are low and certain corals are showing you over time. Have you checked potassium? When it gets real low some corals will not look good.
Has your phosphate went down since adding nitrate?

My potassium is at 400ppm on the Red Sea test kit. The other elements in that kit (iodine and iron) also check out with their recommendations. As for my phosphate, I haven't seen it budge in months and it hasn't changed with the nitrate addition.

 

[bif24701]

I had a similar situation to yours. I added more fish and feed them very well. My corals started to do much better. Though my detectable nutrients didn't rise above 3ppm the input did and my corals love it. I also began dosing some KZ, not the whole system. The Coral System by KZ is intended for use on systems that do not use the full KZ system. Within days I've noticed improvements. I use about half the recommended dosage, the first time I dosed as directed and some turf algae popped up.

I would only recommend using these products in very to ultra low nutrient systems.

Feed more, add more fish, skimmer dryer. Maintain stable ALK, cal, mag.

Here is what I am currently using in addition to my Kalk.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I had a similar situation to yours. I added more fish and feed them very well. My corals started to do much better. Though my detectable nutrients didn't rise above 3ppm the input did and my corals love it. I also began dosing some KZ, not the whole system. The Coral System by KZ is intended for use on systems that do not use the full KZ system. Within days I've noticed improvements. I use about half the recommended dosage, the first time I dosed as directed and some turf algae popped up.

I would only recommend using these products in very to ultra low nutrient systems.

Feed more, add more fish, skimmer dryer. Maintain stable ALK, cal, mag.

Here is what I am currently using in addition to my Kalk.

It seems as though the fish addition could definitely help my situation. I guess I can go take a look at my LFS to see what they have that might go nicely in my tank. As far as feeding then would you say more than once a day?

I have read about that system and it reminds me very much of the Red Sea coral colors, fauna marin color elements as well as the aquaforest component colors. I have always been a little afraid of dosing the trace elements because I've always been told that they are unnecessary but I may be in a position that requires them.

 

[bif24701]

It seems as though the fish addition could definitely help my situation. I guess I can go take a look at my LFS to see what they have that might go nicely in my tank. As far as feeding then would you say more than once a day?

I have read about that system and it reminds me very much of the Red Sea coral colors, fauna marin color elements as well as the aquaforest component colors. I have always been a little afraid of dosing the trace elements because I've always been told that they are unnecessary but I may be in a position that requires them.

They are not necessary, but help when you have situations like ours. KZ has been more than proven for over 10 years so I trust them well. If you use the products for the specific result as intended in a ULNS then you can have positive results. You obviously have had success without them and can continue to do so. However if you want to improve some things like colors KZ or whatever can help if used correctly.

I feel that urine from fish provide the best nutrition for corals and I feel that was proven after I added more fish and my corals began to grow and color up.

I use several nutrient reductions methods. Large SRO-5000 10" skimmer, high quality Pukain rock, MarinePure blocks, vinegar dosing, ROX carbon, GFO, Cheato refugium, water changes and filter socks.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

They are not necessary, but help when you have situations like ours. KZ has been more than proven for over 10 years so I trust them well. If you use the products for the specific result as intended in a ULNS then you can have positive results. You obviously have had success without them and can continue to do so. However if you want to improve some things like colors KZ or whatever can help if used correctly.

I feel that urine from fish provide the best nutrition for corals and I feel that was proven after I added more fish and my corals began to grow and color up.

I use several nutrient reductions methods. Large SRO-5000 10" skimmer, high quality Pukain rock, MarinePure blocks, vinegar dosing, ROX carbon, GFO, Cheato refugium, water changes and filter socks.

Well I do nothing in particular to run an ULNS but it seems that I have reached that point with my system. I can definitely look into the trace elements as that may be where I am lacking for better coloration. Until I am able to get more fish I can try to up the feeding and even feed the corals if that would help.

 

[bif24701]

Well I do nothing in particular to run an ULNS but it seems that I have reached that point with my system. I can definitely look into the trace elements as that may be where I am lacking for better coloration. Until I am able to get more fish I can try to up the feeding and even feed the corals if that would help.

Remember your corals gotta eat too.

 

[Vaughn17]

Did you use Spectracide for this or just Potassium Nitrate?

Yes, the stump killer stuff.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

What are you feeding the fish right now? Try feeding more but space smaller feedings out to three times a day so your fish actually eat everything you feed and food isn't just floating around decomposing later.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Remember your corals gotta eat too.

Yeah I guess it's something that I don't think of too often because they are healthy and growing but I guess they could need that extra boost to brighten up that color.

What are you feeding the fish right now? Try feeding more but space smaller feedings out to three times a day so your fish actually eat everything you feed and food isn't just floating around decomposing later.

Fish are fed once daily with a mix of plankton, cyclops and mysis along with a sheet of algae for tangs.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Ok, that's a pretty good food source so hopefully a little more of it going through the fish will help with your colors. Until they get better I would keep trying the nitrate solution and see if it helps . Good luck! Beautiful tank for sure.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Ok, that's a pretty good food source so hopefully a little more of it going through the fish will help with your colors. Until they get better I would keep trying the nitrate solution and see if it helps . Good luck! Beautiful tank for sure.

Well I'm going to try feeding a little heavier and maybe play with some trace elements while keeping track of everything. I do appreciate the complements though, I try my best.