Can't seem to keep po4 up... Po4 is tested with the low range Hanna and nitrate is tested with salifert... No algea on rocks and clean my glass about once a week... It's a jbj20l tank running bb with just liverock and a cad lights pls-50 skimmer in the middle chamber.. Only a clown and firefish plus a few hermits and snails. I feed an 1/8 of a cube of frozen food twice a day. Lighting is an ati 6x24 pm with 4 coral+and 2 blue+. Circulation is provided by a gyre 130.
No po4 and 15 nitrates
- Thread starter sprite
- Start date
I'm in a similar situation. Mine nitrates float between 10 and 15 and p04 undetectable. I have next to zero algae. I started doubling my feedings and my nitrates actually dropped to 5-10. The glass now gets a green tint every 5 days. I'm pretty sure i could get away with doubling again. Seems counter-intuitive but it works for me somehow. Worse case your nitrates do rise and you have to do a few water changes and your back to where you started.
I will note when I doubled my feeding my purples started looking alot better.
reefmutt
Active member
Here is my non scientific (because i am by no means a scientist!) explanation for what is going on in your system..
In any system (captive or wild) There is a balancing act that the various bacteria consuming n and p constantly play.
When you have both detectable n and p, the bacteria are generally more happy and in balance. If N or P drops to undetectable, the bacteria begin to have trouble controlling the other because certain bacterial strains start to starve and die off.
So, generally, if you have 0 p and elevated n (I have only ever had the reverse) adding some of the one you are missing, begins to balance out the bacterial strains in the system and thus begins to balance the n and p levels.
This is why (I believe) 71xlch actually lowered his n by adding more food. The extra food allowed for the bacterial strains to re balance and start consuming n again..
I don't have a link but in the advanced topics forum or the chemistry forum, there is a thread called 'adding nitrate to lower phosphates'
It is an absolutely fascinating read (the pertinent parts, anyways) and I consider it a must read for anybody who wants a deeper understanding of the workings of bacteria in our systems.
In any system (captive or wild) There is a balancing act that the various bacteria consuming n and p constantly play.
When you have both detectable n and p, the bacteria are generally more happy and in balance. If N or P drops to undetectable, the bacteria begin to have trouble controlling the other because certain bacterial strains start to starve and die off.
So, generally, if you have 0 p and elevated n (I have only ever had the reverse) adding some of the one you are missing, begins to balance out the bacterial strains in the system and thus begins to balance the n and p levels.
This is why (I believe) 71xlch actually lowered his n by adding more food. The extra food allowed for the bacterial strains to re balance and start consuming n again..
I don't have a link but in the advanced topics forum or the chemistry forum, there is a thread called 'adding nitrate to lower phosphates'
It is an absolutely fascinating read (the pertinent parts, anyways) and I consider it a must read for anybody who wants a deeper understanding of the workings of bacteria in our systems.
slavetonet
New member
I have been dosing daily with Monopotassium Phosphate "KH2PO4 for the last 6+ months.
My system consume 0.05ppm daily, if I do nothing it will go back to 0.00ppm measured with Hanna Checker.
My system consume 0.05ppm daily, if I do nothing it will go back to 0.00ppm measured with Hanna Checker.
Where would I get my hands on some of that? TIA
slavetonet
New member
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