Test results need help. Algae scrubber good or bade

[chicago]

Hoping for some insight.. my sps continue to struggle. my monti grow like crazy.. but others do not.
I run an Algae Scrubber to limits phosphates. No longer using GFO. My recent tests on water came back and is still showing issues with Iodine ect. Is the scrubber the issue. Thoughts on other factors in the report below. Thought on adding some nitrate and carbon source ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

With no nitrate, that may be a growth issue.

 

[piranhaman00]

Issue is no nitrate.

 

[Mels_Reef]

Ditto on the nitrate

Your salinity is a little high as well

 

[chicago]

ok how to bump up the nitrate with phosphate going up ?
is the ALS pulling out the Nitrate and other low elements.. like iodine

 

[Mels_Reef]

ok how to bump up the nitrate with phosphate going up ?
is the ALS pulling out the Nitrate and other low elements.. like iodine

I use ESV Nitrate when needed

Yes, algae consumes both nitrate and phosphate

Iodine always measures low on the ATI tests unless you dose it every day but yes, algae consumes that, and iron, pretty quickly

 

[BryanM]

Feed more or dose something for nitrates, and run the algae scrubber less hours, until you can get this stabilized.

Thales has a tank that has quite high nutrients, and it thrives. I would not worry about phosphate personally until it gets up to the .5-.6 range.

You likely just need nitrates.

 

[Miami Reef]

ok how to bump up the nitrate with phosphate going up ?
is the ALS pulling out the Nitrate and other low elements.. like iodine

Dose sodium nitrate or ammonium bicarbonate.

 

[chicago]

ok.. so we all agree that the sps are not negatively effected by the phosphate level. .05 lets say.. but rather the zero factor on nitrate..

 

[chicago]

thank you all.

 

[Miami Reef]

ok.. so we all agree that the sps are not negatively effected by the phosphate level. .05 lets say.. but rather the zero factor on nitrate..

The phosphate is definitely not causing any issues. Your level is perfect.

 

[chicago]

calcium nitrate -esv product.
sodium nitrate amazon purchase mix
or ammonium nitrate ..
one better than other ?

 

[chicago]

Miami.. you make your own mix. ?

 

[chicago]

was wondering if my sps were starving.. would order frags.. they would be fine and then two weeks later.. brown and week later.. dead... thought it was from high phosphate

 

[KStatefan]

calcium nitrate -esv product.
sodium nitrate amazon purchase mix
or ammonium nitrate ..
one better than other ?

you can also do a DIY calcium nitrate or ammonium bicarbonate

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

calcium nitrate -esv product.
sodium nitrate amazon purchase mix
or ammonium nitrate ..
one better than other ?

I'd recommend ammonium bicarbonate to boost N in low N systems.

 

[chicago]

thanks randy..
my hanna HR nitrate just read .9ppm 800 gallon system.. thoughts on how much to add
thanks again all

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

thanks randy..
my hanna HR nitrate just read .9ppm 800 gallon system.. thoughts on how much to add
thanks again all

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

 

[chicago]

Randy.. just saw this article...thread .. of yours.. nice write up.. if I understand correctly we are actually dosing ammonia.. which is then converted by bacteria to nitrite and then Nitrate.... its been 40 years since i have had to say that.. LOL


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy.. just saw this article...thread .. of yours.. nice write up.. if I understand correctly we are actually dosing ammonia.. which is then converted by bacteria to nitrite and then Nitrate.... its been 40 years since i have had to say that.. LOL


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

Thanks. :)