diversanders
New member
After dosing with maple syrup for 34 days, my NO3 and PO4 read ZERO!!!! After 3 years this is an amazing relief. I am a little disappointed in my LFS (they are experienced established hobbyist), never suggesting this option (some did say vodka), but knowledge is power and I thank you all for being a part of this awesome site. When I first started into this bobby in 2006, everyone told me I would encounter NO3 problems, but 2 1/2 years in, I never had any NO3 problems. Life happened and I walked away for 2 years, since I've started back up, I've not been able to get the NO3 or PO4 under control. It has been a non stop nightmare, to the point, I was just about ready to move my interest to a planted freshwater tank (still think I'm going to have one). We are happy to start purchasing corals, and look forward to the challenges which may present themselves through that aspect of the hobby (any heads up is appreciated). I am currently watching to see if a natural process takes over in my tank, and how long it takes before my water parameters start to become dysfunctional again if no natural process take place, I'm hoping for a natural process to take over. I don't think sugar is a danger over long term use, but I'm just guessing and rather have the natural process take place. I read a lot of debate and herd many suggestions for alternative option, and I thank you all for taking your time and being a part of this thread. My two cents is as follows; most everyone has sugar in their home, if you are or if you ever have encountered this war against NO3, PO4, and you wish to progress in this hobby, you have found a sound option. You owe the inhabitants which are kept confined for your entertainment, the best quality of life possible. Now that my NO3 and PO4 are under control, I am going to observe, and try to figure out a more natural way to prevent having to use any alternatives outside the natural symbiotic atmosphere of my tank. One thing I've had to come to terms with is, Protein Skimmers are a must.but I learned it's not hard to make one either, (in my frustrations I bought an expensive skimmer), I made a really good skimmer that was good enough for a 29gal. for less than $10.00. I went to a children's store and found a toy ($3.24), (since, I have found that the same piece can be found at Lowes, for less than a $ and bigger options are available), that attached two, two liter bottles together too symbolized a tornado/hurricane (one bottle would need to be filled with water), what I did was cut the ends off of the two liter bottles, inserted a piece of PVC pipe that fit snug in the opening of the two liter bottle, that sat above the water line, next, I inserted an air hose (depending on length .50 cents), through the bottom of the two liter bottle that sat below the water line, I then attached a lime wood air stone ($3.24), to the air line, and placed it in the water column (positioning so that the bubbles went up inside the bottom of the two liter bottle), than I attached an air pump with an air control valve (price not included), then I rigged a way for it to keep upright in the corner of the tank. My only flaw to this design was the collection cup, which consisted only of the top two liter bottle. When I needed to empty the collection cup (every night), it wasn't efficient and took a lot of readjusting and positioning when reattaching. Looking back I should have lengthened the PVC pipe that was centered at the opening of the top two liter bottle, and fabricated an easier to remove collection cup. It wasn't pretty either, but it worked. If I was a young poor individual who wanted to have a saltwater tank, I believe I could, and give it the proper husbandry for only a little more than what it costs to take care of a freshwater tank (minus the cost of it's inhabitants which can vary from $3.-$1000's. I hope I have given some experience, strength, and hope to someone else.
Today at 4pm I noticed that my purple tip anemone was shriveled up and dead.:headwallblue: My water was also a little cloudy. My fish, crabs and snails seem fine. It was just the anemone that had a problem with this process. Again, perhaps I dosed to strong for a starting dose...even with a tank this big. I did not redose today and think that I may try just 1 tbsp tomorrow. It depends on if the water clears up a little more or not. I've been having issues with the nitrates being up in the 60-80ppm range. All other parameters look good. Nitrites, ammonia, calcium, phosphate. It's just the dang nitrates! Reading your post gives me hope that I can get them down. Thanks for posting.:thumbsup:
