Ideas on getting nitrates up

Tankboy · #1 10-21-2016, 04:16 PM

I got some extra nitrates I can sell ya!!
LOL

Myka · #2 10-21-2016, 06:52 PM

I'm interested to see how this works out for you in the next 4-8 weeks. I think there will be significant improvement. Now, in my tank I need to add BOTH nitrate and phosphate. I can't even get a whiff in my tank.

tang daddy · #3 10-21-2016, 07:48 PM

Any pics of your tank before now and later when you have fixed it?

So we can get an idea of how your tank is now vs before and if adding nitrates will make a difference, this could be useful to other members suffering the same syndrome.

warriorcookie · #4 10-21-2016, 09:41 PM

I'll have to get the wife to whip out the camera. But ya, it's a good idea.

NO3 is 1 ppm now (I think)
PO4 is .02ppm now???

I took the first measurement (.135ppm) this morning before the lights were on. Has the algae, macro, and corals used that much phosphate? Or is this a testing issue? (Using Hanna)

warriorcookie · #5 10-23-2016, 03:07 AM

Ok, tests as follows:

NO3: .2ppm
PO4: .07ppm

GFO has been off for 24 hours now.

So, yesterday I dosed 1ppm NO3, the tested levels rose yesterday and had fallen again today. Tough to say the effect its having on PO4 because I've been running GFO and only recently shut it off.

So, 24mL solution (2ppm NO3) dosed today.

warriorcookie · #6 10-23-2016, 08:45 PM

Ok, so this is interesting:

1.5ppm NO3
0.01ppm PO4

And the water is cloudy! So, as soon as the bacteria had enough NO3 they went crazy. I tested PO4 twice. First time showed as 0. Second showed as 5ppb phosphorus (.015ppm PO4).

I'll let the bacteria bloom pass, then I'll resume dosing NaNO3.

warriorcookie · #7 10-25-2016, 05:09 AM

PO4: .024ppm
NO3: Didn't get home until super late. I don't know about anybody else, but I can't get a very good read on the Salifert test without sunlight at my back. Artificial light just doesn't do it for me.

My skimmer pulled a half a cup of the nastiest crud in the last 24hours! Very thick and smelly!

Can't really comment on how things are looking as the lights were off when I left this morning and were off by the time I got home. Both anemones look deflated, but that's not necessary abnormal. Overal things are still coloring up from the bleaching. Steady improvement over the last few days.

Myka · #8 10-25-2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriorcookie

And the water is cloudy! So, as soon as the bacteria had enough NO3 they went crazy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriorcookie

I don't know about anybody else, but I can't get a very good read on the Salifert test without sunlight at my back. Artificial light just doesn't do it for me.

Try using a cool white fluorescent tube for checking. Warm colored bulbs make the NO3 kit impossible to read, but yeah sunlight is easiest. When the Salifert kit is used up, try the Red Sea Pro nitrate kit - it has a second vial that you match the colors to each other. I find it easier to read than Salifert when NO3 is less than 10 ppm.