Red Sea NO3:POX4X Real Time Review.

[bertoni]

The references I've seen state that acrylic should be fine with 5% vinegar. I might look for something more resistant if I were using a stronger form of acetic acid.

 

[jason2459]

The references I've seen state that acrylic should be fine with 5% vinegar. I might look for something more resistant if I were using a stronger form of acetic acid.

I've experienced crazing with vinegar and acrylic. Could be just cosmetic though I would expect structural issues eventually?


Edit: reference was using straight vinegar in a skimmer's collection cup left for I'm not sure how long. Diluted as I normally use it to clean the skimmers body never seems to be an issue.

 

[bertoni]

That's interesting. I'm not sure how significant the crazing might be, but over time, it might be come an issue. Given enough time, though, I'd expect many plastics to have issues. Maybe using the vinegar bottle itself would be safest.

 

[JaysLittleOcean]

As of right now I am still holding off on dosing NO3O4X until I complete a Nitrate test tomorrow evening. As of right now the algae is not as vibrant as it first was but I do have a much more noticeable amount of hair algae. I'm going to give it another week but at this point it starting to encroach on the corals and I'm not entirely sure how comfortable I am leaving it alone. I have been considering ordering a Pygmy Sea Hare to deal with the algae but I'm willing to give it more time. Polyp extension on the corals has decreased a but on the majority of corals. So just sitting here in the low point of my aquarium.

 

[ReefCowboy]

The container it comes in plastic..... Acrylic I can understand it being corrosive to because of the acetone, but it comes in a plastic bottle.

I agree, and some use the original bottle. I prefer having a devoted container under my doser, and keep refilling it. I looked for plastic containers amf found some great ones, but in doubt if that plastic would or not react, ended getting glass to be sure. In case this corrodes a plastic container and goes into the tank, its all bad news and this : :headwally:...

 

[jml1149]

Nice setup rockwork! The GHA is one thing, the bubble algae I see in those pictures is another. I used NoPoX for a bit, and I found reducing nitrates works fine on GHA, but that bubble algae, get your tweezers ready.

 

[homer1475]

I agree, and some use the original bottle. I prefer having a devoted container under my doser, and keep refilling it. I looked for plastic containers amf found some great ones, but in doubt if that plastic would or not react, ended getting glass to be sure. In case this corrodes a plastic container and goes into the tank, its all bad news and this : :headwally:...

It's also a bad idea to put it in a clear container and it does all sorts of weird stuff(cloudy, separates, gets chunky, don's ask me I just know what happened to me). Trust me I know what it does in a clear container, it's the only reason I ever started emailing red sea about the product.

 

[jason2459]

Sounds like some contamination to cause the bloom in a clear container like that. You don't see that with vodka or vinegar as they are sold in clear bottles all the time. Another reason I see to mix your own blend or use them on there own individually besides cost.

I've considered using vodka too but would most likely keep my vinegar on a dosing pump and bolus dose the vodka.

 

[ReefCowboy]

Im using a glass container, painted black leaving a tiny strip unpainted so i can see where the level of the liquid is as its depleted. Im also diluting Nopox in RO water(ill have to figure ratio) so i dont get the air bubbles at the end of tubbing with time and the check valve to avoid contact with air.

Ill keep dosing by hand until the No3 levels drop, then ill dilute, reduce dosing by 50% and leave it to the doser.

 

[jason2459]

I wouldn't dilute it.

 

[ReefCowboy]

I wouldn't dilute it.

I read from the Red Sea rep diluting would be ok. I kind of am hesitant to do it since it's more work, but I read it helps with the tubbing bubble issue? What are your thoughts

 

[jason2459]

Just seems like there already organics in the red Sea mix and diluting would allow bacteria to grow easier. I'm not familiar with the bubbling issue. I've never encountered an issue with dosing vinegar with a dosing pump or heard of an issue with it. So, again it seems like some organic impurity issue.

 

[droog]

I tried diluting nopox and found that bacteria grew in the dosing container which defeats the purpose (I now dose my own Vinegar/Vodka mix without dilution).

Also had problems with bubbles forming in my airline. In my case it was coming from a poor seal between the tubing and container. Using a different dosing container helped. I use a Vertex liquid storage vessel that is air-tight with a little hole to let air in. The walls are clear but I don't get any cloudiness.

-droog

 

[ReefCowboy]

Wanted to report my results with Nopox for just a few days of use. I gotta say im very pleased with how quickly it brought down my nitrates.. I started using it about 7 days ago and ramped to 3mls/25 gals ler day. My tank has 50 total gals so i dosed consistently 6 mls at once daily.

I never suspected having concerning nitrates, but bothered to check after a routine alk/Ca testing and found it to be around 20-25ppm(Salifert). Today carefuly tested again and it measured 1ppm (low range, double tested). I was expecting this to work over the course of at least three weeks or so, and such quick results impressed me.

The skimmer has definitely been working harder, constantly pulling foamy flocks somewhat dark. Water is crystal clear, all sps have great polyp extension. I will test tomorrow at least 2x, and if i get again 1ppm, will lower dosing to 50% as i want to keep it at that range.