Guess the Phosphate level
- Thread starter Thales
- Start date
Rich the tank looks great, and clearly not showing signs of suffering from the nitrates and phosphates.
I don't know how to ask this properly, so bear with me.
After reading this thread and my own observations over the years, do you feel the detritus in the lowest part of the sump (the part you say you haven't cleaned in a while) effects the nutrient levels? I ask because I have my setup to where most of it collects in the sump and even when I have been lazy and not cleaned the sump, it never seems to effect my nitrate or phosphate reading. I have let it get pretty nasty before and it didn't seem to make a difference. I have the unusual problem of not being able to get my nitrate readings above 5, and it has been like this for almost a year now. Most of the time my nitrates are less, and often undetectable with Salifert.
How probable do you think it is that the end result of fauna, micro-fauna and bacterial consumption of poop, uneaten food, etc. is mostly inert? Do you think this stuff that collects is what is leftover after everything that can eat the nutrients from it, have eaten the nutrients in it? I don't recall ever seeing any testing done on the leftover bulk that accumulates. I would expect that if there is a food source available, something will consume it. I would find it very interesting to know just what is left over.
This is typical of what my sump looks like before I clean it, but it has been much worse than this before.
I would enjoy your thoughts and experiences with this.
I don't know how to ask this properly, so bear with me.
After reading this thread and my own observations over the years, do you feel the detritus in the lowest part of the sump (the part you say you haven't cleaned in a while) effects the nutrient levels? I ask because I have my setup to where most of it collects in the sump and even when I have been lazy and not cleaned the sump, it never seems to effect my nitrate or phosphate reading. I have let it get pretty nasty before and it didn't seem to make a difference. I have the unusual problem of not being able to get my nitrate readings above 5, and it has been like this for almost a year now. Most of the time my nitrates are less, and often undetectable with Salifert.
How probable do you think it is that the end result of fauna, micro-fauna and bacterial consumption of poop, uneaten food, etc. is mostly inert? Do you think this stuff that collects is what is leftover after everything that can eat the nutrients from it, have eaten the nutrients in it? I don't recall ever seeing any testing done on the leftover bulk that accumulates. I would expect that if there is a food source available, something will consume it. I would find it very interesting to know just what is left over.
This is typical of what my sump looks like before I clean it, but it has been much worse than this before.
I would enjoy your thoughts and experiences with this.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Yup, same here...FWIW, in the past couple of months or so, I stopped messing around with trying to get the system ultra clean...So I dont even siphon the detritus out of the sump anymore. I stopped running GFO about 3 weeks ago I think and PO4 is still below 0.03ppm. So it doesnt so far appear to impact PO4 or NO3.
AcroporAddict
There is no substitute.
I have always assumed that the tannish detritus that collects in the sump is inert, what is left when everything usable has been consumed. I generally use a python to remove it from the sump in conjunction with a water change when it gets to the point that I start worrying it is going to start recirculating to the display tank. Every 4th or 5th time, I scrub the sump down with an acrylic safe pad , let it all settle, then pull ll the crud out.
I don't do it because of fear of contributing to a high nitrate or phosphate level, but just because I like a clean sump once in a while.
I don't do it because of fear of contributing to a high nitrate or phosphate level, but just because I like a clean sump once in a while.
DiscusHeckel
Acropora Gardener
I hardly ever syphon any detritus from my sump, which is full of crap. I also never use filter socks. Chaeto traps incredible amount of detritus along with fist size rocks I use in my sump, and yet measurable nitrates are always below 0.2 ppm (Salifert) and phosphates are below 0.03 mg/l (Rowa Merck). However, note that I have about 103 times/hour water turnover rate in my main display tank, which I am sure help keep nitrates low. Despite this though live rocks in my main display still collect ultra fine particles. I just cannot keep the rocks clean.
AcroporAddict
There is no substitute.
I have used mesh filter socks in my reef tanks since I started in the hobby. I know lots of folks that do not use them and have nice reefs, and others that use them and have nice reefs as well.
Sirreal63, my tank is 4y old. I never siphoned the sump which houses even one-finger depth of detritus in some points. In the last months I had to fight to increase my nitrate that in last four years has been undetectable. After reducing light from 10h to 6h, adding fish, shifting to a smaller skimmer and last not least incredibly increasing my feeding regime I reached 2ppm NO3.
My advice, the most effective way to increase inorganics is to reduce light and, of course, increase food. We probably undervalue the importance of micronutrients when more inorganics are available, because lot of algae (micro-macro) and bacteria grow and quickly consume them, while we always read about micronutrients most importance in ULNS to color up SPS, where perhaps there are few organisms consuming them.
My advice, the most effective way to increase inorganics is to reduce light and, of course, increase food. We probably undervalue the importance of micronutrients when more inorganics are available, because lot of algae (micro-macro) and bacteria grow and quickly consume them, while we always read about micronutrients most importance in ULNS to color up SPS, where perhaps there are few organisms consuming them.
the_real_brian
New member
Thank you for pointing that out.
the_real_brian
New member
No, never used. In my tank I've always had zero NO3 and PO4. Actually I see lowering NO3 slightly faster than PO4.
I know more than one person who experienced NO3 limiting PO4 decrease and they administered KNO3 and increased feeding obtaining more growth, more health on corals, PO4 reduction.
I know more than one person who experienced NO3 limiting PO4 decrease and they administered KNO3 and increased feeding obtaining more growth, more health on corals, PO4 reduction.
