Nitrates phosphates and dosing question(s).

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You might transition slowly by using less at first, then work up to 1-2 cups if it seems needed.

 

[kissman]

thanks Randy

 

[kissman]

I have beat the cyano! However I can't get my PO4 below .08ppm. I am testing with a new Red Sea Pro PO4 kit and thinking I am going to order the HC 736 this weekend from aquacave. My PO4 has been at .08 for about 3 weeks. I have been running 2 cups of GFO from BRS last night I did change it out to BRS HC GFO using 3/4 cup at a slight boil. I have no idea what else to do aside from changing out all filters and membrane in RO/DI even though TDS is 0. Been thinking about replacing all with filters from Spectrapure. The last time I tested the PO4 coming out of the RO/DI it was also at .08 but no idea how accurate that is since I am using a saltwater test kit on freshwater. I think the HC 736 works on both though so then I could get an accurate reading on it. I have worked hard and wanna get them to .02ppm. I want to add SPS and I want the tank right before I do. I am still dosing Vinegar i am up to 28.6mL a day on week 7. Any other suggestions?

 

[kissman]

well I got my Hanna 736 in the mail today and tested at 7ppb which comes out to .021ppm! I am happy with that reading. So thats pretty good with a acccuracy of +-5%

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

With the cyano gone and that phosphate at a good level, that sounds like success.

 

[kissman]

I think so! Now the next tasks at hand is to kill xenia, bought scaple and cutters saturdays chore kill kill kill! Then i think i am going to do 2 15g water changes to bring Magnesium down some!

 

[kissman]

Nitrates are at 0 according to new Red Sea Pro kit, on Hanna 736 PO4 is .04. My question is should I stay at my current dose of 41.8mL of Vinegar? should I cut dose in half or should I increase to lower PO4 a little more? or just leave it alone and stay at 41.8mL?

 

[bertoni]

I'd leave the dose alone as long as the animals are doing well enough. You might need to trim back eventually. There's a lot of variables involved in that.

 

[kissman]

everything seems fine, I still have a little cyano on the back glass that comes and goes, but other than that everything looks good. Thanks

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! That sounds like good progress!

 

[kissman]

phosphates are at .015pm, nitrates at .75. I still get a little brown film on my glass that I have to clean off twice a week and still get some in sump. Should I raise my vinegar dose anymore of just leave it like it is?

 

[bertoni]

You could try raising it a bit. I'd proceed cautiously at this point.

 

[kissman]

I was thinking like 2mL a week

 

[bertoni]

Okay, sounds reasonable to me.

 

[igadget56]

I'm pretty new to this but I don't think you can ever get completely away
from cleaning your glass. It will either film algae or bacteria. I think I
remember Randy saying he has to clean every few days. Correct me if I'm
wrong

 

[kissman]

I'm pretty new to this but I don't think you can ever get completely away
from cleaning your glass. It will either film algae or bacteria. I think I
remember Randy saying he has to clean every few days. Correct me if I'm
wrong

I think you are correct

 

[tmz]

I'm son't think completely wiping out diatoms and other phytoplankton is desireable. I clean the glass 1x per week . It stays relatively clear but a little gren/brown stuff on it is a good thing ,imo.

 

[kissman]

Nitrates are climbing again they are about 10ppm. If i do a big water change like 30-40% should start slow with vinegar again or leave it at 55mL a day? I just raised it another 4mL i did do a 15g water change yesterday

 

[bertoni]

Large water changes can cause problems, and if there's an underlying problem, the nitrate can bounce back rapidly. I'd stop feeding for a few days, and get a second opinion on the nitrate kit. Raising the vinegar dose sounds reasonable to me.